Normally i dont agree with online tests, i find them quite inaccurate, making people have wrong assumptions of symptons, etc.

but when i came to PC months ago, and i met people who suffer with bipolar, i began seeing a similarity between my character and the symptons of bipolar. so tonight, i found myself going to the quizzes page here at Pc, to check it out. i havent been there yet, and i thought i ought to see what its like, whilst there i noticed the bipolar one, and decided to give it a go. this is my results...bearing in mind i answered the questions as accurately as possible:

You scored a total of 42

Based upon your responses to this bipolar disorder quiz, you appear to be suffering from moderate to severe symptoms associated with a bipolar disorder. People who have answered similarly to you typically qualify for a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder and have sought professional treatment for this disorder. (You may, however, still fit into the less serious diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.)

now i dont know how to react to that. i could do with some advice from you here. shall i take it any further and speak to my therapist, and doctor, or just ignore it and take my own advice..that these quizzes are decieving? i am open minded about these tests, i certainly dont condemn them, and i only have this opinion of online test through my own experiences, and ive seen others get hurt by similar tests. im not hurt by it, and im not really worried, maybe its because im not really surprised as i have doubted this for months. i dont know. my mood swings havent been as bad recently, but i do get them, and i can go from being optimistic one minute, to pessimistic the next. i dont want to self-diagnose myself and jump to conclusions, but i dont want to ignore it.

what do you think? id like your input and suggestions, if you could. thank you

simon

[angelsbreath]

I most definitely would discuss it with our pc and therapist!!
I have suffered for years and still feel I am not on the right meds. My psychiatrist said I am unlike any of her patients.....usually, once diagnosed, through trial and error, you get on the right med....unfortunately, I do not remain stable on my meds. It is essential, in my opinion, to talk to docs and keep trying. If I didn't have the relationship I have with God and family and friends, I don't know where I'd be.
Take care.

[bipolar_bear]

I never know what to think of on-line tests but I definitely do to your own insights and questions it brings to your mind. You know yourself better than any test and if you are considering this I think you should talk to your t and your pdoc. It is not something you want to go untreated. Good luck and I am sure you will find the right course of action for you.

BB

[JonB]

Keep doing some reading about it and then you can point to specifics with your docs about why you think this fits you. Then, instead of saying "I think I have this", you'll be saying "I think I have this because..." Then you'll be off on a helpful discussion. Ask them to help you understand what being bipolar means and whether or not it relates to you. The more research you do, the more specific questions you can ask. Good luck. Definitely get some professional opinions if you feel this could be a concern. Getting the right diagnosis is important - and sometimes difficult. Good luck.

[TouchedByFire]

How lucky are you?

These are all terrific responses!

I cannot add to them!

Good luck in discovering your truths!

**Blessings** ~TBF~

Thank you all for your support, i am glad i can turn to you all for support. its comforting.

i have been researching it deeply since i began this thread. i found this website: http://www.bipolaraware.co.uk/recognition.html and through reading the symptoms, i dont really fit in with them. some are true, some are spot on, but many of them arent what i experience. it says that the depressive mood lasts around 2 weeks on average, but when i get like that it last a day or two, the most it lasts is about 4 or 5 days. i do have mood swings, where i will be happy one minute, and i will be very optimistic, i have faith in myself and my talents, and i appreciate life, then within minutes (sometimes) i can be down, where i think i am worthless, and am a horrid person, ugly etc. then minutes later i will be optimistic again. but by reading several sites it has become clear to me that these episodes dont happen so frequent.

i do experience, as quoted by the website:

Major Depressive state

Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or being "slowed down"
Restlessness or irritability
Sleep disturbances
Loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempt

N.B the last one, about suicide isnt very often. and suicide has only been attempted once.

i do get those feelings sometimes, and i do get some of the mania symptoms too, but i wouldnt say i ever feel euphoric, i feel really happy and axcited, sure. is there a difference? the symptoms are all listed on that link i gave you, and of the symptons of mania, these are the ones i do get:

Increased energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts, and rapid talking
Extreme irritability and distractibility (although not necessarily "extreme")
Decreased need for sleep

those are the main ones, it says about drugs etc, and aggresive behaviour, all of which i dont get, or use.

by looking at this website, and using it as the source (as opposed tot he others) it is clear that i have symptoms of the depressive stage and not so many of the mania stage. although i am quite happy these days, and i seem to be getting happier, i do get bad days, like i have done recently. i lose all sight of hope and sometimes i border on having a panic attack, where i become panicky and i get worried about absolutely everything!! these days are few and far between, but are severe when they happen. and when im not depressed, im not euphoric, im just happy and optimistic.

i will still speak to my doctor and therapist, my therapist mainly will help, as like i said, i have been going there for nearly 5 years, so she knows me very well. i have my next session 1 week today, so i will see her first, then speak with my doctor.

Like i said, thank you for your continual support. im hoping nothing comes of this, by researching it more like you suggested, i am beginning to think i dont have it, but i do possess many of the symptoms. i still am unsure, so i will look into it more.

simon

There are some people with bp who are "rapid cyclers." Their moods can shift frequently--sometimes several times a day or within a couple days. The average person with bp is not correctly dxed for ten years (much due to people not going to see the doc when they are feeling really good--manic or hypo manic). It took about 30 years for me to be correctly diagnosed cuz I only went to the doc when depressed ( I also spent most of my time depressed.) My mother had bp. If it is in your family (or other mood disorders like depression) you have a higher chance of having it.

There is also a "mixed" episode where you are manic & depressed at the same time. There is much agitation, restlessness & other symptoms of mania with depressive symptoms, too. I've only had that once & that was when I was dxed cuz the doc could tell I was experiencing both depression & mania at the same time. Do bring it up with your doc. Every one is different so not all people with bp have all the symptoms listed.--Suzy