Thread: you may be bipolar

This isn't something I wanted to hear, but at this point I really feel the need to get this off my chest.

Bipolar disorder has run rampant through my mothers side of the family. I know I have had anger issues in the past, occasionally I'd get very pissed off and take it out on some inanimate object. Today I snapped and ended up breaking lots of things, and after I cooled down I talked to my mother and she told me it's possible I have bipolar disorder and that she'd get me in to a doctor soon. I will be upfront with you guys about this, I have been bullied all my life, not only physically, but mentally. I usually just try to ignore it to the best of my ability, but obviously it comes back and bites me. I have tried to find something I can vent my anger into, in this case it's video games. But no longer does it work, I find myself getting more angry whenever I play games. This is why I sometimes say and act the way I do, not only in real life, but even on TTP or anything for that matter. Hopefully it's not actual bipolar disorder but instead a case of simple stress.

I feel even better with this off my chest already. :3

Damn. Good luck with that man... It may be just built-up anger, but according to what you have said, going to the doctor is a good idea.

I blame Sauso for always picking on you, and because he is a Canuck.

In all seriousness that sucks, but keep us posted.

I understand what you're going through, and trust me, going to a doctor is one of the best things that will happen in your life. The doctor will be able to help with the chemical imbalances in your head if you have any. Seeing a therapist is important, too. It makes a difference telling your problems to someone who actually believes you and takes you seriously, puts you as a priority.

Appreciate it guys, like I said, hopefully it's not actually bipolar disorder but if worse comes to worst I will probably try a therapist. My mother is already on some sort of medication to balance her mind out a bit.

Bust,

I have a couple of family members who are diagnosed bipolar and are on medication for life.

Having angry outbursts is not too much too worry about; although you are at the age where BPD typically manifests itself. When people are "high," that is they are on the manic side of the pole, they might behave very irrationally. Not necessarily with rage, but with delusion. I have worked with people besides my family members and when they are manic, they might believe something like dead relatives are telepathically speaking to them from beyond the grave, or a signal from aliens commanded them to do something, or that they are the chosen one and are indestructible; and they typically perform actions in accordance with these manic beliefs. When they are on the depressive side of the pole they lose affect and motivation. Much like the individual with clinical depression, they may not be motivated to clean themselves or perform tasks necessary for day to day living. And they swing wildly between these two extremes.

BPD has a strong heritability factor and biological predisposition. So certain people are very prone to it and it may not take much to cause them to slip. Typically, the cure is a lifetime of medication... but it is for the best. The hard part is dialing in the correct dosage. And often that period is accompanied by peripheral medications to prevent mania and depression (klonopin and SSRI's etc...) while the lithium dosage gets adjusted.

Now rage and violent behavior can be due to bipolar disorder, but it is not typical. Further the fact that you are questioning your behavior and possibly attributing it to a mental disorder is a strong indicator that you are having some other issue (young man's rage perhaps? I had quite a bit of that!). Atrue nutjob rarely recognizes they are a nutjob until they are "brought down" and can rationally examine their abnormal behavior.

Apparently, the mania from BPD is a high so high it ranks with illegal drugs. Did you feel ecstatic?

I am not saying "don't worry." BPD is highly heritable. But the fact that you are rationally examining your own behavior is a great sign...

If you really are worried go see a specialist. It will ease your mind and may be revealing.

Hence why I'm hoping it's just stress that is setting me off. I've never been delusional when I have those angry outbursts, hopefully this is a good sign.

I'm trying to find something to vent my anger towards...the problem is, I don't have anything I can really do other than video games, that's why I snapped today. I'm trying to get into cars as a hobby to hopefully find something to get rid of my anger....but as a teenager making minimum wage I can't afford anything, that's why i've been badgering my parents to let me sell or trade my Jimmy for something actually worth working on.