[seeemilywrite]

My mother is bipolar, and I believe thatmy brother may be as well.
Those of you who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, how were you diagnosed? is it something you noticed on your own, or was it pointed out my a friend or family member?

[Julia]

I am interested in this, as well. I suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, and have been told that my moods are similar to bi-polar, except that my moods swing up and down relatively quickly, whereas most bi-polar seem to have long highs and lows. I have also been told that bi-polar can consist of quick highs and lows, as well. I will be going to an endocrinologist to be tested to see if my depression/anxiety might be caused by thyroid problems or other hormone issues. I'm just curious to see how others were diagnosed as bi-polar, and if anyone else has quick highs and lows?

[mcmama]

My ex has thyroid problems and has only been diagnosed with depression. But I know from living with him that I could chart his moods by the seasons, and his episodes of agitation are not exactly manic, and are short lived, but are extremely impulsive and destructive.

I think there is a type of bi polar disorder which is characterized by rapid cycling, or by mild escalation coupled with long periods of depression.

Even when we were married, he did not give his psychiatrist permission to discuss his diagnosis with me.

I think seeing an endocrinologist is a good idea, or having your family practitioner refer you to a specialist who can check out the thyroid. A good psychiatrist will also check out the connection, and work to have the best possible combination of medications.
A good place to learn about bipolar disorder and diagnosis is www.bipolarworld.net.

[Julia]

Thank you so much, Janet! I will check ouit that website this week. The depression/anxiety has been putting the occasional damper on many areas of my life, and that is extremely difficult to deal with, especially when it interferes with my family and work. I truly appreciate all of the helpful information I've been receiving here on the forums!

[MJ7]

Julia, there are other mental conditions that have cycling behavior other than bipolar. I was cycloclamatic when younger and because of the family history of bipolar and other mental illnesses, I was treated with Lithium to stablize me then prozac to keep me out of the depressed states that I lingered in more often. I never had bipolar but was dx'd later with anxiety. Celexa helped a lot with that.

[writerchick]

My niece has a cycling behavior problem that was initially thought to be bipolar, but now seems to be something else. Her moods cycle daily. My ex-husband was diagnosed bipolar, and his moods cycled more like weekly. Just be careful you don't let someone label you bipolar, because I do know that there are many other conditions that mimic the mood swings of bipolar. Good luck and best wishes!

[mamaip]

Anybody know what you would characterize (possibly) the following:
Regular behavior, no "highs", just normal behavior and functioning followed by periods of approximately 3 days of LOW behavior including demeaning comments and a general sense of not being oneself? From what I was told these period occur every three weeks approximately

[jahspromise]

I'm bipolar and I was dianosed by a pyschtraist. (sp?)
I'm on Zoloft for it.

[desidoll88]

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[mcmama]

There are a lot of variations in cycling, some people never get quite to a manic state, and others rapid cycle. Has anyone had experience with charting moods to see what your pattern is? Some folks have told me this helps when they are adjusting to new medications, to have something to compare the before and after to.