So, are you Bipolar?
Do
you swing from really down and out state of mind to intense 7th heaven,
regardless of what is actually happening in your world?
During the periods of 7th heaven, do you experience any of the following:
Do you feel that all is right with the world - that you are on top of the world?
Do you get extremely agitated, or irritate over any little thing or with anyone for little cause?
Do you think you are the greatest thing since white bread?
Do you spend little or no time sleeping?
Do you speak at warp speed?
Do a million thoughts rush into your head at any given time?
Are you acting on impulse or with poor judgment?
Are you like Pollyanna; that is, do you think anything could possibly go wrong?
Do you have intense sexual desire and often act on these risky impulses?
Do you have a Napoleon complex, having such an intense desire and drive to conquer all?
Are you able to concentrate?
Do you abuse alcohol and recreational drugs?
Are you aggressive?
Do you engage yourself in heightened mental and physical activity?
Are you reckless in your behavior?
This
superman state of being may last for hours, days, weeks, or months,
followed by a descent into the nether world. A world where nights and
days are a living hell? In this state of melancholia -
Are you unable to go to sleep, or sleep far too much?
Do you think of blowing out your brains, or do you constantly dwell on the topic of death?
Are you unable to concentrate?
Do you thing all is wrong with the world, especially yourself? Are you extremely sad?
Do you feel like that hope is the one thing that fails to escape Pandora 's Box?
Do you hurt physically - do you have headaches, stomach aches, and digestive problems?
Are you experiencing problems eating - too much or too little?
Are you loosing weight, or gaining weight?
Have you lost all interest in your hobbies, outdoor activities, and exercise?
Do you feel you are not worth a dime? Do you feel guilty, even when you have done nothing, or for doing nothing?
Are you anxious, or restless?
Do you wish to be left all alone? Are you irritable for no apparent reason?
Do you have little or no energy? Do you feel tired for no apparent reason?
Do you have little or no motivation?
Has there been a slowing down in both your thoughts and actions?
If you experience these behaviors, see a health care professional immediately. For you may be bipolar.
If
you are having hallucinations, or delusion, you may need
hospitalization. For you may have Bipolar 1, the most severe form of
bipolar disorder. If you mania is not accompanied with psychosis, you
are just feel very, very happy, followed with extremely blue periods,
you may be bipolar 2. It is very hard to diagnose. If you function
extremely well with alternating mood swings, you may have the mildest
form of bipolar -cyclothymia. Unfortunately, these people refuse to
seek treatment, instead medicating themselves with alcohol or
recreational drugs.
August Holcombe is a baby boomer, who came
of age in the late 60's and early 70's. I first became interested in
mental illness in a socialogy course at Auburn University in the late
60's after we visited a State Mental Hospital, a state's women's
prison, and a state's men's prison. A girlfriend of mine, who happened
to be a brilliant and gifted artist, commited suicide in 1982. I've had
depression on and off since my late twenties. You my visit The Bipolar Rollercoaster
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