Could Your Mood Swings be Bipolar Disorder?

Everyone has mood swings once in a while. Humans are (generally) emotional creatures and our happiness and sadness are bound to be linked, even slightly, to the events of our daily lives. Mood swings might also be due to hormonal fluctuations, medications, depression, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, drugs, and alcohol. So, how does one find out if it’s just a “regular” mood swing, or bipolar illness?

As a mood swing disorder, bipolar is characterized by highs and lows. There are different signs and symptoms that are linked to bipolar disorder. These include:

Elevated mood
Lack of concentration
Irritability
Hyperactivity
Risky behavior
Euphoria
Guilt
Loss of interest in everyday activities
Rapid speaking and thinking
Fatigue
Weight gain/weight loss
Paranoia
Impulsivity

These are just a few of the symptoms that are linked to bipolar disorder. If you are suffering from all or some of these symptoms, it’s best to consult your doctor and get tested. This test is psychological and not physical, although you may undergo a thorough physical examination beforehand to rule out any other type of illness.

A possible indication that you might be dealing with bipolar illness is to take a close look at how your actions are affecting your relationships. Are you having trouble at work? Are you having trouble with your spouse/partner? Do you tend to start a task with great enthusiasm, only to abandon it? Do you suffer from depression, and then have feelings of euphoria that makes it feel like the depression is a million miles away?

If you think you might be suffering from bipolar disorder, start a mood journal. Include what you eat every day, your mood and what affects it, when you exercise, etc. When you consult your doctor, he will be very interested in seeing this mood chart to help determine if you suffer from bipolar disease.

BPHope.com is an online resource for people suffering from bipolar disorder. They offer help and harmony via their hundreds of articles that touch on every aspect of bipolar illness. Whether it’s the symptoms, treatments, etc., they even have a category for children. Visit BPHope.com today to discover a wealth of information about bipolar disease.

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