Recognising bi-polar?

How do you recognise bi-polar disorder, first of all in yourself, and second of all in other people (i.e. family)?

Is it an observation made by others, that there might be something wrong with you? Or is it something you know within yourself? Is it easily recognisable, and how would you recommend people that suspect they might have it deal with it?

Cheers.

The 2 weeks rule for depression is key.

I started to become depressed from a minor school situation and I noticed myself snowballing. When I had consecutive breakdown-s and fits of damaging my room etc., I knew I had to get help. I was consistently depressed, lethargic, and I did now know what to do.

Bipolar disorder has similar traits to other illnesses and so recognizing it specially can be difficult. For instantce, for young children, BPD is often misdiagnosed for ADHD. Not only that, it can take years for someone to acknowledge and realize that something is wrong with them - whether it be mental illness or any other situation.

My family noticed my fits and my severe depression and mostly, they attributed to stress (culture). I only live with my parents and mostly, I've been alone often at home. It was difficult for anyone to notice anything. However, some of my classmates and teachers noticed my consistent depression and apathy which was in direct contrast to my overachievery attitude prior to the onset and progression of my illness.

Recognizing bipolar disorder is an observation made by others and oneself. However, I think the former is easier because it is more objective if the people who are noticing it are close to you and know you well. I was hesitant about seeking help because I did not want to cause a ruckus.

If people suspect that they have it, by all means, please seek help. BPD is an easily treatable medical condition and there is no reason whatsoever that someone should have to endure this illness. There is no shame in seeking help and it is OKAY if, in the end, there is no label. If you need help for whatever reason, SEEK IT.

Folks

2 weeks depression or more is the key for BP 1, but not BP 2.

BP 2 (which includes a lot of subtypes) does not have this. It is harder to diagnose and according to the clinicians it is harder to treat.

I have BP 2 (ultra ultra rapid cycling). My symptoms started at age 14:

- 3 - 3.5 hours sleep from age 14 - 42, a bit more in winter.

- I tended to be unipolar manic when I was younger (a day or two at most before a down).

- and as I get older I get more down periods (but again nowhere near two weeks, I have never had a two week depression)

- very moody (lability of moods), grandiose at highs, the opposite at lows.

- sensitive to sounds, find high pitched, unexpected noises very distracting and anger producing. (that's not so common)

- every anti-depressent I have tried (over 2 dozen) make me manic on the first or second dose - except Serzone - that's 3 days, but it isn't sold anymore due to kidney damage...

- 1500 mg of Lithium (I weigh 270) a day keeps me pretty level. But I am always a bit down, and my mental processes are a bit foggy (yeah I know its part of the disease to believe that, but I have software listings from before and after, and I have never been able to write as well, quickly, or cleverly as before.

I am going to try Depakote this weekend, despite the weight gain issues. I deserve to feel a bit more up then a gray day in December don't you think? I have hemmed and hawed for almost 2 years, now is the time to try.

W

My husband has been on Depakote since he was diagnosed. His doc recently upped the dosage due to a hypomanic stage that went on for a good 2 months and nearly wrecked our marriage. I don't know if he is bipolar 1 or 2; he is mostly manic with a few seasonal lows that never seem to last more than a couple days or maybe a week. He seems to like the Depakote because it doesn't make him feel "foggy" like some of the other drugs they tried out at first.

You said "I have never been able to write as well, quickly, or cleverly as before. "

That is what I miss the most when I am back to normal. However, I have to admit that my writing when I was high had many mistakes--grammar and other types.

I still can write OK, but I love the feeling of having my ideas just flow along.

At times, for a day or so, my mind speeds up, but I'm usually way slowed down the next day. Maybe our brains can't go full blast all the time without a rest.
Jim S

jims/Devanna

Thanks for replying!

I didn't pick it up yet due to a major snow storm, tomorrow.

My typing has more mistakes the last year, but that is because I had a series of strokes from a bad aeortic valve. My thinking has not changed much, but, my profession (software) demands a lot of deep thinking and I've getting along via a lot of coping stuff the past six years, but it is starting not to work.

I hope Depakote is the answer

Devanna, he might have another sort of mood disorder too. I had some SAD worked into mine, but it is a minor part - moreso after the Lithium.

Thanks again, I come by every 3-4 days to see what's cooking (I'm much more involved in some other SA sites).

Peace,
W