Anyone know anything about Bipolar or similar conditions

[LittleBugsMum]

I am convinced my friend is suffering from Bipolar disorder or a similar kind of depressive/mood altering condition.

She said she has been 'tested' for bipolar and been told she doesn't have it but I honestly believe there is something seriously wrong and that she isn't getting the help she needs and is instead ruining her life through her erratic behaviour and alcohol (& substance) abuse.

She is like 2 different people and when she's out of control she has to just ride it for days and come out the other side. She can't control her behaviour, even if she wanted to, and she isn't rational. She has a lot to lose but this doesn't seem to matter when she has these episodes but mean the world to her when she's rational again...

I don't know, any advice? Suggestions?

This is the Rethink factsheet about what to do if you're worried about someone's mental health. I have read it in the past but am on a computer without Adobe Reader on it and can't recall the details.

What does she say about these times when she is out of control?

Hmm, I just skimmed it and there are definitely marked changes in mood. The thing is, she's always been like this to some degree but now she's struggling with drink & drugs when she goes through the episodes so everything is focused on that but I'm convinced there is an underlying mental health issue with her.

When she's 'normal' again, she admits she has been out of control. We talk about how different she is & I can see it, her eyes and the way she talks. I can trust her, talk to her, believe what she says when a few days before she would have lied & drank & screamed/cried & been totally selfish & hedonistic and reckless. She's promiscuous to quite a dangerous level and she'll go anywhere, take anything etc. Addiction may have taken over now but she's always been like this. It would be such a relief for her to be diagnosed with something that can be treated, it would change (and save) her life.

An awful lot of people self-medicate for mental health problems with drugs and alcohol.

Anyone have any other insights? Is it usual for 'tests' to get this wrong?

Does she acknowledge there might be a problem? Is she willing to get help?
Does she go into these manic stages and then starts drinking/using or is her behaviour the consequence of using?

Not sure what "tested for bipolar" means really?

From memory, it takes an average of 10 years to diagnose bipolar. My ex was diagnosed in his thirties but has definitely had it since his teens and was in touch with mental health services too.

Bipolar is a spectrum - have a look at manic depression fellowships website for info.

Thanks everyone.

She definitely knows there is something really wrong and was disappointed when she was told she didn't have bipolar. She will try almost anything to get better but things never seem to work out...I think she goes into these stages then drinks and loses control for days.

I don't know what 'tests' they are either - she's not always reliable with the details. What should be done? A psychiatric assessment?

I'll pass that test on to her hairytale then perhaps she can get her GP to refer her again. I'm afraid she's been pigeon holed into 'addict' then given help with alcohol but that's just skimming the surface.