I've not been diagnosed with Bipolar. I didn't even know about it, until Istarted dating someone who is not only exactly the same as me, but has type 2 bipolar. I have been depressed on and off for years, but most of the time I'm ok. I just seem to have mood swings and phases of severe depression. I often don't sleep. I obsess about things all the time. They become the one and only focus in my life. When I am really down I have awful thoughts of hurting myself. I used to self harm, but I don't anymore. I feel like I'm attention seeking even though I know I have a porblem. I'm starting to worry now though because it;s affecting my relationship. Luckily he understands me. The problem is I have a new bout of nightmares where he cheats on me and it's striking up trust issues on my part. Is this bipolar or am I just being silly? Where can I get the help I need? I have been to my drs and all they do is send me to a counsellor. I don't want to talk about thigns. I just end up making her believe that I'm ok and the sessions end. Then I have a down and I'm back to square one! Help me please. Where can I go and what can I do? Esther
Q: Is this bipolar disorder? Where can I get help from?
Hi, Esti. Both patients and their docs tend to get hung up on symptom checklists when the most important indicator is functionality. In other words, what impact are these ups and downs and obsessions having on your life? Unable to find or hold a job? Unable to get into a relationship and sustain it? Hard to find and keep friends? Unease in social situations. Unease about yourself. If you're leading a productive and functional life, psychiatric intervention may not be necessary. If your life is falling apart or you are fearful it is about to fall apart, it is useful to seek out a competent clinician.
Another consideration - some people can function quite well despite a range of symptoms. Others can't. There is no black and white here. Only lots of gray. So rigorous self-assessment and looking for feedback is mandatory, and you seem to be very good at doing both.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks for your reply.
I seem to be able to find jobs quite easily and to a degree hold them. The only job I've really stuck at was for just over a year as an estate agent. The obsessions are giving me trust issues with everyone, I feel like everyone is going to leave me all the time, whether its a friend, boyfriend or family member. The downs make me suicidal, but I seem to cope with the highs. I lose interest in things easily if I haven't got an obsession with them. I seem to have no constants. I seem to be ok a good 80% of the time and I want to fix myself, which I think is the most important thing. It's the 20% I can't cope with. My lows are so extreme that I can't listen to anyone or anything. I'm completely unreasonable. It's like doing a sum of 1 + 1 but in my head I get 5!! I panic desperately and get completely tensed up. It's almost as if there is a person in side of me dying to get out. In contrast though I can have solemn lows where I just cannot be bothered with anything, I don't sleep, I don't eat, I don't even go out of the house sometimes. I went to the Drs today and she gave me 2 website links to help me. That was it. There's an in house counsellor I can see once every 3 months and I don't like seeing her. Other than that I can go back onto anti-depressants. I know I will get better if I can stay in this state. I'm scared that sooner or later I am going to hit another low and I'm going to do something stupid.