Am I Bipolar? - Testing Yourself for Bipolar Disorder

"Am I Bipolar?"- this is one perplexing question a person, constantly experiencing dramatic mood swings in each and every single day of his life, would like to answer. In a year, one percent of Americans with ages 18 and above suffer a manic-depressive illness called Bipolar Disorder. How does one really know if he or she suffers from Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, which is formerly called manic-depression, is a diagnosed psychiatric disorder that causes abnormal shifts in a person's everyday mood, liveliness, and capability to perform. The person experiencing such illness may feel very much ecstatic, then extremely bad-tempered an hour after and then back again to feeling overly ecstatic with a short span of normal mood in between both contrary tempers. "Am I Bipolar if get mood swings?" The answer is no. Since a condition such as Bipolar Disorder is seemingly different from a person experiencing the usual mood swings because in Bipolar Disorder, the symptoms are evidently severe. If such brain disorder is left untreated, it may lead to effects such as dreadful behaviors, inadequate performance in one's job/studies or worst; it may even lead to suicide.

World renowned painter, Vincent Van Gogh, who's Bipolar Disorder mysteriously made him even more creative; Hollywood actor/comedian, Ben Stiller, who was open to the public about his psychiatric condition; Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose Bipolar Disorder led him to a cocaine addiction and accusations of spousal abuse and author/actor Spalding Gray, whose suicidal death on the East River was allegedly caused by his dreadful psychiatric condition. The previously mentioned public figures are just some of the popular personalities who once asked the question, "Am I Bipolar?" Unfortunately, the answer to their question was "yes". Bipolar Disorder may have numerous unpleasant effects but through the appropriate treatment, people inflicted with such disease may lead fruitful and normal lives.

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by a series of highs and lows in one's mood. These highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Try to check if the following statements describe your day to day mental state to aid you in answering the question, "Am I Bipolar?" :

Indications of manic episodes

· I'm a very talkative person and I can utter a lot of words in a single minute.

· I am an extremely energetic person.

· I'm a compulsive shopper.

· I don't like to sleep.

· Family and friends have been telling me that I've been acting strange lately. I'm becoming a war freak, a loud talker and a very angry person.

· I feel sluggish most of the time.

· I want to have sex all the time.

· I can't concentrate on something for a long period of time.

· I feel like I'm the king of the world and I can do whatever I wish to do.

Indications of depression episodes

· I don't get pleasure doing the things that I've always loved to do.

· I have trouble sleeping at night.

· Whenever food is served on the table, I don't feel like eating.

· I have many aches and pains from the past that just won't go away.

· I lack energy when it comes to having sex.

· I lack focus.

· I'm a very absentminded person.

· Most of the time, I feel like eating something.

· People and things around me make me angry.

· I can't figure out why I feel disappointed and scared.

· I always feel gloomy.

· I'd rather be alone than talk to people.

· It's hard for me to get out of bed.

· I feel as if my existence on earth has no meaning and nothing desirable is going to happen to me.

· I hate myself.

· I've always thought about killing myself and the ways on how to do so.

Indications of Bipolar Disorder

· The highs and lows in my mood alternately repeat as the day progresses.

· My mood swings cause me household and job problems.

If most or all of these statements best describes your everyday mood in the duration of one week or more, a checkup with your psychologist might be a good idea since there's a big probability that you might be suffering a Bipolar Disorder. Besides, early detection and consistent treatment is the best way to win the battle against this lifelong illness.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Bipolar Disorder

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a very well-known 12-Step program for alcoholics. However, people with mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, do not find as welcome a response as do people whose only problem is alcoholism.

A.A. meetings usually consist of closed discussions, where anonymous members participate by offering their opinions and/or feelings on either the specific topic chosen or any topic threatening their sobriety.

What happens when an A.A. member begins to talk about their alcoholism as it relates to their bipolar disorder, though?

Unfortunately, in most meetings, they are told that this is an "outside issue," and that they must talk only about their alcoholism.

Yet there are many people who suffer from both alcoholism and bipolar disorder and, if not allowed to discuss it in an A.A. meeting, where can they turn?

Part of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is to get a "sponsor." A sponsor is a person who will help the member through the 12 steps of the program, to help them stay sober, and to help them deal with the issues surrounding their alcoholism.

Hopefully, the member with bipolar can find a sponsor who is sensitive to the fact that the disorder is one of the issues that does, in fact, affect their sobriety.

Some members of Alcoholics Anonymous who have bipolar disorder have been able to connect with others who also have the disorder and, although not allowed to discuss it openly at meetings, have been able to find solace in discussing it among themselves.

Bipolar Disorder - The Prevalence in the United States

You will do well to learn all the symptoms of bipolar disorder that you can get your hands on. Must people who suffer from it are not even aware that they do and you may be the person to be able to tell them the truth. If you don't have a clue yourself, then you both are doomed to live life as the disease deems fit to bestow upon you.

Recognizing the presence of the abnormality called bipolar disorder is important to everyone involved. That would be the sufferer, the doctor treating them, the friends of the sufferer, and their family members as well. When you are able to tell that diseases is there, then you will know to do the things that you need to do to see that it does not get worse, whether in you or your loved ones.

This disorder is a significant disease in the United States today because growing numbers of people continue to suffer from it each passing year. The reason why is not immediately apparent, but one has got to suppose that it must have something to do with the growing population. Even though this seems improbable, learning more about the condition may prove to you otherwise.

Because the cycles of opposing characteristics that depict bipolar disorder take a long time to complete, and are often far apart, a lot of people do not know that they suffer from the condition. Even people close to them may just think their situations to be moods and think no more of it. Little wonder the casualty rate of the disease is so high.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment - Getting Help For African Americans

Jenifer Lewis. Bobby Brown. Charlie Pride. Maia Campbell. Lauryn Hill. DMX. These African Americans have either been diagnosed or are highly suspected to have bipolar disorder. Search any of these names online and you will see articles detailing some aspect of their journey with mental illness and potentially bipolar disorder. Many of these celebrities have gotten help. Others are still battling. The good thing for these celebrities is that most have resources to get proper treatment.

"Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified. Individuals with bipolar disorder can quickly swing from extremes of happiness, energy and clarity to sadness, fatigue and confusion. These shifts can be so devastating that individuals may choose suicide (APA, 2010)".

The inclusion of African American celebrities in this article is to emphasize how even people who seem to have everything cope with and manage mental health conditions. Non-celebrity, everyday African Americans need treatment for bipolar disorder too. In the past, African Americans have been hesitant to trust medical professionals because of experiments like the Tuskegee syphilis federally funded study where nearly four hundred black men with syphilis went untreated. In addition, African Americans who sought help for mental illnesses had a "higher incidence of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and/or being hospitalized (Lawson, 2008)".

Effective bipolar treatment is made up of three elements that a client must take part in simultaneously

1. Medication (25 percent of solution) The following drugs typically are prescribed: Abilify, Lamictal, Trileptal, Lithium, Depakote and Seroquel.


2. Individual counseling and treatment groups (50 percent of solution)This part of the solution helps with working through failed relationships, reconnecting with one's self and accepting various outcomes.


3. Client's decision to make better choices (25 percent of solution) At the core of improved living is the decision to be the best you can be. Individuals who suffer from bi-polar must dedicate themselves to self-improvement concepts such as being dependable, exercising personal resolve, accepting change, etc. Successful responses require the ability to negotiate circumstances. Life coping skills such as integrity of character, patience, kindness and good decision making can help head off emotional episodes.

Depending on the life span and intensity of symptoms, it can be difficult for children and adult to experience a normal life. Yet, thousands of individuals have figured out the key to successful and normal living. The following strategies help to experience normal daily living.

1. Acceptance of Disorder:The temptation to enter denial is ever present. The acceptance of the disorder and the associated symptoms is an important step. By accepting the obvious, individuals can move towards better outcomes and results.


2. Self Monitoring:The early self identification of triggers and forthcoming meltdowns cannot be under-estimated. By identifying patterns and themes associated with various symptoms, individual can better brace themselves and make alternative plans.


3. Rest & Exercise:Pent up frustrations, on-going depression and emotional let downs can be countered by getting proper rest. In addition, exercise is an excellent way to resolve daily experiences that encourage sulking, selfishness and anger.


4. Proper Diet:There are certain foods that encourage negative emotional cycles and counter-productive experiences. The simple act of removing items from the menu can improve outcomes quickly.

Most insurance companies pay for treatment. For those with no health insurance, Community Mental Health is a place to start. Every state in the United States of America has this organization. One who is searching for help for bipolar disorder need only travel to a place (like the library) that has internet access. Go to a search website like Google, yahoo or bing and search for "community mental health Chicago (use the name of your city)". Address and telephone information will appear in the search engine results pages.

There is also an organization called Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. It is a patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The website has support materials and a bipolar disorder peer support group locator.

Finally, to increase the likelihood of appropriate treatment for African Americans, people and organizations that African Americans respect will have to weigh in on the conversations. Celebrities who have come forward to discuss bipolar disorder help other African Americans to speak up and ask for treatment. Yet more help is needed. Churches, pastors, barbers, sororities, lodges, etc must also help reach out to African American community members with mental health concerns and help them find proper education and solutions.

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

What If I Don't Have Bipolar Disorder?

You may often wonder if you really have bipolar disorder or not. If you do, you are not alone. Many people who have been diagnosed with the disorder question if perhaps they might have another disorder instead and merely have been misdiagnosed.

There are a few other disorders that can be mistaken for bipolar, such as:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) still have the energy that children with the disorder have - that of running as if by some unforeseen motor.

When ADHD is manifested in adults, this hyperactivity can mimic the mania seen in bipolar disorder. However, in bipolar disorder, the mania will not go away "in spurts" as it will in people with ADHD, who will generally run down at the end of the day.

Manic episodes can run from days to weeks (even to months).

Major Depression

Major depression is very commonly mistaken for bipolar, as both include depression.
However, in bipolar disorder, depression is only half the equation, with mania being the other half.

With bipolar depression, the depression will usually not respond simply to the antidepressants that will usually help someone with major depression.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline personality disorder is commonly mistaken for bipolar, due to the common symptoms of both disorders - specifically, the mood swings.

However, it is entirely possible to have BPD and bipolar at the same time.

If you believe that you have one of these other disorders, please seek professional help.

Bipolar Disorder - How to Get Help for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder affects many people, often times for years, before it gets treated. In this article, I'll explain how you can get help for bipolar disorder, and what options you have available to you. Use this information to determine the necessary course of action to take for your situation, or for someone you love or know.

The current view in the psychotherapeutic community is that bipolar disorder cannot be cured -- only that it can be managed. In other words, the aim of treatment for bipolar disorder is to help the patient be able to deal with the mood disturbances that are associated with bipolar disorder. If you can manage these disturbances, then they will no longer affect you, or negatively impact your life.

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed by a health professional, based on what the patient reports experiencing, as well as experiences of the patient reported by family members and other acquaintances. Typically, the symptoms of this disorder are hard to initially spot, meaning that many people suffer unnecessarily from bipolar disorder for years, before getting the treatment they need.

So what are some treatments that help for bipolar disorder? There are many different options, depending upon the exact type of bipolar disorder you have, as well as your personality and coping style. But typically, they fall under two categories, which are often used in conjunction. These two categories are medication and psychotherapy.

Medication aims to correct certain chemical imbalances in the body that are associated with bipolar disorder. By restoring the proper chemical imbalances in the body, the person is less likely to face large disturbances in their mood, and will be able to manage their bipolar better.

Psychotherapy is used to help the patient better cope with situations, with proper cognitive behavioral therapy, and other tools. Your state of thinking and awareness really can affect the symptoms of your bipolar disorder, and by being better able to manage those, you help reduce the impact of the symptoms on your life.

Medication and psychotherapy are often used together, because medication helps the person become stable, but doesn't treat the root of the problem. Psychotherapy aims more to get clarity on what causes a problem, so that steps can be taken to deal with the root cause, to lessen the impact of bipolar disorder on the individual.

In conclusion, I have given you some different ways on how you can get help for bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder - My Fault?

"Is bipolar disorder my fault?" you may have asked yourself. If you have, you're not alone. Many people with the disorder have also asked themselves the same question. Is your bipolar disorder caused by something you did? You and/or your supporter may be pondering this question as well.

"Is bipolar disorder my fault?" "Is there something I did to cause the disorder to manifest itself in me?" "Did I somehow "catch" it like you can catch the common cold?" Of course not. There is nothing you could have done or not done to prevent getting the disorder - it was (and is) beyond your control, and certainly NOT your fault if you do have the disorder.

The cause of the disorder is not exactly known, but what is considered the cause is twofold: both a chemical imbalance in the brain and a genetic (hereditary) influence.

Scientific studies have long shown that neurotransmitters in the brain are responsible for the disorder in people. In other words, they cite abnormal brain structure and brain function as the cause for a person getting the disorder. Research is now being conducted to discover the exact gene responsible for the disorder so that a cure may be found.

Yet other studies have shown that people who have bipolar disorder also have close family ties to the disorder. Research indicates that the disorder is passed down through the family.

Inheritability is estimated anywhere from 50-80%. Research shows that when bipolar disorder is present in the family, the other blood relatives stand a 10-20% chance of having the disorder as well.

When one parent has the disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be between 15-30%. When both parents have the disorder, the risk to each child increases to 50-75%. One study indicates that 80% of children who have the disorder come from families with a history of mood disorders and/or alcoholism on both sides of the family.

If you had a choice whether to have the disorder or not, I don't think you would choose it, any more than a person would choose to have cancer. Would you blame someone for getting cancer, or say that it is their fault?

"Is bipolar disorder my fault?" By now you know the answer to that question for yourself. You also should have enough information to educate your family and other people that having the disorder is definitely not the result of anything you did or did not do. Back it up by showing them the research. Then tell them with confidence, "It is NOT my fault that I have bipolar disorder."