Anyone get mad highs and lows? or are bipolar ? help!!

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hi, ive noticed my mood swings are getting worse of late, very high highs then sudden lows for no apparent reason.. i have felt this way since i stopped bfeeding my ds who is now 2.10. My dh says i am like a psycho. i do have days where i feel totally normal - not high or low, but then the next week i go a bit manic, planning hundreds of things , careers, courses, moving town etc that will never happen.
It is at its worst the week before my period, so prop pmt, but then i get all the up and downs the following weeks... i have no control!!

Am trying to call doc but phone is engaged all morn! am scared to see doc really in case they just dont listen to me or say its just pmt.

wheyther you are bipolar or not you must try and aablance your blood sugar levels which may help

a gi type diet is ideal but cutting alcohol, caffeine and sugary foods and drinks will help

also increase omega 3 and 6

your docotor should take you seriously if possible book a double appointment to give you more time to explain your concerns

i feel the same. often.

no advice, but youre not alone

i want to say: 'dont let the doctor fob you off' but since i always seem to act like theres nothing wrong when im at the docs, im hardly one to preach.

good luck

This definitely sounds like you could be bipolar and you will need to get some mind stabilisers from the doctor. Eating bananas and lettuce can help too as they naturally contain the chemical you need.

also it is essential to have enough sleep as lack of sleep is bad for bipolar..will tend to make you high

it sounds as though it could be related to hormones alternatively, evening primrose oil may help too

but still see the doctor

FC - possibly manic depression? My brother had this for a while - symptoms sound similar.
Your post sounds a bit panicky, but try not to worry too much. Get an appointment with your GP & they will try to help you.

Keep trying with the doctor. I'd second all the 'lifestyle' advice you've got here.

Deffo get a double appt if they will book it for you. Write down everything you are worried about now, and maybe even take your dh with you to the appt so he can explain how it looks from the outside too.

I know the GPs I work for often recommend Manage Your Mind and my dh has found it useful too. Dh had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder for 18 years - they now think it is probably unipolar depression but he definitely has mood swings.

Hope you can find some help and a way to feel like yourself again.

and i know what you mean about seeing the doctor it is worrying..I am going this afternoon and am feeling very chicken

it is absolutely essential that you tell him you are having highs as well as lows because there are many anti depressants which are very bad if you suffer from manicdepression/bipolar

as they can induce hypermania/psychosis and must be avoided

there are also different 'levels' of bi-polar..including rapid cycling disorder when the rise and crash from one state to another is milder than full blown bi polar, but happens more than 4 times a year. there is a strong gentic link to bi-polar - anyone else in the family suffer?

hi, nobody in my family suffers from it, although my mum has always said about my dad being very strange, but he died when i was 9 so i cant remember much .
My brother in law was a manic depressive, he committed suicide age 25... i can see elements of his behaviour in me occasionally.
I do enjoy the highs, and i dont want drugs that make me feel nothing, as i will miss the highs so much.. have made appt with doc for next week..

If it's period related it could be a hormonal problem. I'd really try and do the lifestyle stuff - i know that my moods are very energy related. Exercise can be very stabilising as well. My neighbour is bi-polar/manic depressive, and ended up being committed because he hit a policeman (several years ago now, and he seems to have stabilised), and I have a work colleague that has tendancies this way - more in the excessive energy followed by serious lows line. Quite a lot of the management techniques around bi-polar treatment focus on recognising the symptoms when you are in full swing (ie times not to go nightclubbing/shopping etc!) rather than going for medication. Good luck!

FC - that's a commonfeeling among sufferers - to miss the 'highs'. For many creative people that is the crux of their personality, their drive, if you like. It may be that some form of CBT might help you to manage your symptoms, rather than drugs. Don't be scared ; you are in very good company if you are bi-polar - everyone from Spike milligan to Lord Byron
seriously, you could try contacting the Bipolar Organisation if you are worried or if the gp isn't helpful. They have a website and a helpline 0845 092 0070.

being worst before a period is a classic for me..always get the urge to spend money, make arrangments etc and then wish i hadn't after

bump

is there anything in partivclar you want to know?

the gp may use a diagnostic questionnaire on his computer

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