Am I Bipolar

For a long while now I have been having intense mood swings throughout one day. It goes from extremely happy elevated mood which lasts for an hour or a bit longer which then switches to Anger and extreme irritable mood for no apparent reason, which then switches to sad-- feeling down and hopeless! I'm currently on a waiting list? Do u think I'm bipolar type 2? And also when I self harm I like seeing blood come out of my body.

Hmmm there's a lot more to being bipolar than the mood swings you've mentioned. I can't say if you do, or you don't have it. It would require screening from a specialist. There could be a myriad of things causing what you've described.

Hopefully you get some answers soon.

Although 'rapid cycling' can occur it is not the usual. One's mood swings don't occur so frequently and tend to last longer than an hour or two in duration. For example I will be depressed for months at a time and my mania has lasted from as short as a matter of weeks or as long as a year when unmanaged/unmedicated.

There are other disorders that could fit your description.

I believe one should never self-diagnose. If you truly feel things aren't right the thing to do is start by having a chat regarding your concerns with your family doctor. S/he will start a referral process to mental health care professionals if they feel it is warranted.

Again, I urge you to avoid falling into the trap of looking for answers. By 'doctor googling' you can diagnose yourself with virtually anything.

On another note.... I see you are in Canada. Mental Health Care is covered by your provincial healthcare plan. Follow the route I gave you above. Once the referral process starts it could take as long as 3 months to get into see a psychiatrist but once in the system you will likely see a psychiatrist more frequently. As long as your are referred to a psychologist for therapy, that is covered too. If not referred therapy is generally user pay. BUT, most employer benefits plan will cover it 100%. I recommend you also check with your employer to determine if they have an EAP (Employee Assistance Plan). This a confidential service (ie. work will not know about it) that can help you by providing resources and setting up appointments.

Hi,

Sorry you are struggling. As others have mentioned, Bipolar Mood Changes are described over periods of months and weeks. Even the sub-classification of "Rapid Cycling" is to describe mood shifts more frequently than 90 days.

How is your sleep schedule? Being energized while sleeping less, having a flight of ideas, and feeling the pressure to speak to people rapidly about grandiose ideas you are having, etc are indicators of mania/hypomania for me and many others.

When you are down, do you have serious depression symptoms lasting several weeks of either over-sleeping and low energy (or sometimes nervous insomnia), feelings of hopelessness, maybe suicidal ideation, and anguish.

Both of these described mood states would need to be marked and persistent beyond just being happy and sad.

I hope this helps answer your question. Thanks,

moogs

You should see a doctor to be sure..

Usually when I'm down it lasts for a week or two and I feel sad and just wants to cry but can't, don't want to do anything, extremely sensitive, feels like nobody likes me, etc.... I am on medication for my Social Anxiey, which is 90% treated but my antidepressants don't treat my depression much. I'm also always forgetful in general.