Could I Be Mildly Bipolar?

Question by Bekkah: Could I be mildly Bipolar?
Okay, I’m probably just worrying myself, but I was wondering if I was mildly bipolar.
Bipolar does run in some of my mums family, but I’m not sure if if im just experiencing normal teenage behaviour (im a 14yr old girl) or if its something else.
I go from being very, very happy (and being called crazy) to suddenly feeling very tired and sad and often thinking about death and “whats the point in going on” sort of thing.
I went online to check up on some of the symptoms and I have a few
Manic:
Feel very happy or act silly in a way that’s unusual
(sometimes) Have a very short temper
Talk really fast about a lot of different things
Talk and think and sex alot (that could just be a teen thing maybe)

Depression:
Feel very sad
Complain about pain a lot, like stomachaches and headaches (stomachache)
Sleep too little or too much (swaps around now and again)
Eat too little or too much (to little , dont feel hungry)
Have little energy and no interest in fun activities
Think about death or suicide. (sometimes if it gets really bad)

So what do you think? Could I be bipolar? And if I am what should I do? Should I tell my parent?

PS
This is the site with the info :http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-teens-easy-to-read/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-teens-brochure.pdf
i think sometimes I have reckless behavior
1) I was going to pack up all my stuff and convince my dad get me a boat and home tourtor me while we sailed (not even kidding, i was dead serious.)
2) same sort of thing, this time when we went on holiday to America I was going to persade my parent into looking into schools so I could live there.

And I was thinking, the first time i noticed this was just after i got over my depression, my best friend had left me and i was alone and scuicidal. It took me months to get over it and then a little while later I started noticng my behaviour change.

Best answer:

Answer by Emwa
idk

Answer by Destiney
A person with bipolar disorder will go through episodes of mania (highs) and at other times experience episodes of depression (lows). These aren’t the normal periods of happiness and sadness that everyone experiences from time to time. Instead, the episodes are intense or severe mood swings, like a pendulum that keeps arcing higher and higher.

Symptoms of mania include:

* racing speech and thoughts
* increased energy
* decreased need for sleep
* elevated mood and exaggerated optimism
* increased physical and mental activity
* excessive irritability, aggressive behavior, and impatience
* poor judgment
* reckless behavior, like excessive spending, making rash decisions, and erratic driving
* difficulty concentrating
* inflated sense of self-importance

Symptoms of depression include:

* loss of interest in usual activities
* prolonged sad or irritable mood
* loss of energy or fatigue
* feelings of guilt or worthlessness
* sleeping too much or inability to sleep
* drop in grades and inability to concentrate
* inability to experience pleasure
* appetite loss or overeating
* anger, worry, and anxiety
* thoughts of death or suicide

Doctors and scientists don’t know the exact cause of bipolar disorder, but they think that biochemical, genetic, and environmental factors may all be involved. It’s believed this condition is caused by imbalances in certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. If the neurotransmitters aren’t in balance, the brain’s mood-regulating system won’t work the way it should.

Genes also play a role. If a close relative has bipolar disorder, a person’s risk of developing the condition is higher. This doesn’t mean, though, that if you have a relative with bipolar disorder you will automatically develop it! Even in studies involving identical twins raised in the same home, one twin sometimes had bipolar disorder whereas the other did not. Researchers are now working on identifying the gene or genes involved in bipolar disorder.

Environmental factors may play a role in bipolar disorder. For some teens, stresses such as a death in the family, their parents’ divorce, or other traumatic events could trigger a first episode of mania or depression. Sometimes, going through the changes of puberty can set off an episode. In girls, symptoms can be tied to their monthly menstrual cycle.
How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

Most people with bipolar disorder can be helped — but a psychiatrist or psychologist must first diagnose the disorder. Sadly, many people with the condition are never diagnosed or are not diagnosed properly. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, the disorder can become worse. Some teens with undiagnosed bipolar disorder can end up in a psychiatric hospital or residential treatment center, in the juvenile justice system, abusing drugs, or committing suicide.

Because children and teens with bipolar disorder do not usually show the same patterns of behavior as adults who have the condition, a mental health professional will observe a teen’s behavior carefully before making a diagnosis. This includes getting a complete history of the person’s past and present experiences. Family members and friends can also provide helpful insights into the person’s behavior. The doctor may also want a teen to have a medical exam to rule out other conditions.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be difficult. As yet, there aren’t any laboratory tests like a brain scan or blood test that will diagnose it. In teens, bipolar disorder can sometimes be mistaken for illnesses like schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other depressive disorders. That’s why a complete, detailed history is so important.

Although there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, treatment can help stabilize moods and help the person manage and control symptoms. Like other teens with long-lasting medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy), teens with bipolar disorder need to work closely with their doctors and other medical professionals to treat it.

This team of medical professionals, together with the teen and family, develop what is called a treatment plan. Teens with bipolar disorder will probably receive medication, such as a mood stabilizer, from a psychiatrist or other medical doctor. A psychologist or other type of counselor will provide counseling or psychotherapy for the teen and his or her family. Doctors will watch the symptoms closely and offer additional treatment advice if necessary.

Hope this helps!(:

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