bi polar

[NeverendingR]

I suspect I may be bi-polar, how would I get diagnosed?

[spurslady]

Hi take a look at this site it may help you decide.

I would also book an appointment with your doctor too just to make sure.

http://www.bipolaraware.co.uk/

Good luck. A.

[ummmm]

I was gonna say that Paul!

What does f.a.f mean?

[ummmm]

Shout f off

[daisy48]

Go to your GP and ask for a refferal to a physciatrist NeverR. What make's you think you're Bi-Polar? Do you have bad mood swings? I-E You may feel really down down for no reason then wake up feeling elated. Have a chat with your doctor. Good luck.

[daisy48]

Aw come on you lot, NeverendingR asked a genuine question. Except for Spurslady none of you have really answered N's question or offered any advice. Bi- Polar or Manic Depression is a genuine illness and not something to be ridiculed. Tell me to "Get a life" whatever,all Im saying is, if you've no intention of offering advice or support dont make childish jokes on what should be a genuine thread!!

[drestie]

Guys, WTF?!
This is the problem with B&S - someone comes on here with a serious problem, and you act like ********.

NeverendingR - I agree with daisy and spurslady. The best thing for you to do is go see your GP and/or a psychiatrist. The diagnosis is not difficult to make, but there are a few other mental illnesses that have similar or overlapping symptoms. Good luck with this, and sorry for the jerks on here!

[drestie]

Snap, daisy.

[daisy48]

Hi drestie, Im glad to see Im not the only one who fails to see anything amusing about Bi-Polarism.. I fail to see what polar bear's and sexual chat had to do with a query about Bi Polar.

[babydust]

feeling down for a few weeks and Bi polar are totally different things best bet is to go to the GP

good luck :)

[Eve]

Definitely go and see your GP , if you find it hard to come out with then write it down and give it to them to read or send it to your doctors beforehand. Take someone with you if it will help. NHS Direct may be able to help guide you as to the questions the doctor will ask and what information will be useful to him so you can be as prepared as possible beforehand.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

It might help your doctor if you write down as much as you can about what you've been going through and feeling and any triggers that you may have identified. This will help them get a clearer picture.

If you have a very bad spell in the meantime, especially if you have any thoughts of self harm or suicide, they will have someone on hand at your local casualty department who can see you. There are also helplines such as the Samaritans.

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

Whatever response you get from your doctor always remember you are not alone, there are many support groups out there with people in similar circumstances who can help and support you. Also read up and be aware of what is affecting you and what can help.

In many cases depression is an illness, a chemical imbalance which needs treatment like any other illness. I've got clinical depression and have a chemical imbalance in my brain, made worse i think but my brain swelling during a susp meningitis episode. I've been told i'll probably have to be on medication for life to try and keep the chemical balance right. It's an illness which can be controlled to a large extent with medication.

Take care of yourself, get to your doctor asap and we're here if you need us xxx

[Eve]

Sorry forgot to say, keeping a diary may help your doctor and anyone he refers you to track any patterns and such.

Just write whatever, be brutally honest and blunt.

Track dates and times and write how you feel, be it happy, sad, exhausted, tired, relaxed, any wierd moods, any moods, even indifference.

Also write down things which happen to you, good and bad or normal so they can get a sense of any triggers or out of the ordinary behaviour eg being elated or depressed for no reason.

Also write down any abnormal behaviour eg self harm in any way and how you feel at the time, what makes you do it, how, when etc...

It can track times of day and any patterns and triggers and be a very useful diagnostic tool for whatever it is is affecting you.

Keep an open mind and listen to what he says, write it down if you find it's too much to take in at one time. or take someone with you who can help take everything in.

A history may also be useful, past medical history, medications you have been on and are on, traumas in the past that have affected you.

Other things that may help are your general lifestyle, job, family, relationship, cigs, alcohol and drugs, diet , stresses in your life, things you are unahappy about etc...

If you want any help in getting things down then you're more than welcome to msn me and we can try and get something down together - [email protected].

Hope this helps xxx