Looking for Advice About My symptoms

[itsfine]

For the past several years I have had waves of being really happy and then feeling totally depressed and anxious about everything. Sometimes things will be moderately fine and normal for several months (2 to as many as 6 months) and then crash back down out of nowhere into fits of panic attacks or just simple lack of any feeling except depressed with no will to do anything. Other times, like right now, I will hit rock bottom for between a few weeks to a couple months then be crazy happy for a couple weeks to the point where I'll laugh about anything. Then after a couple weeks I either calm down and things are mostly neutral or I'll crash and be really depressed. I've been tracking these waves and doing some research; I've begun to wonder if it's a form of bipolar disorder. Would anyone be willing to share if these are bipolar symptoms? Thanks in advance xx

[guynfl2chat]

Good Evening,

I am not a doctor, but it sounds like anxiety with some mild depression. My understanding of bipolar is ongoing issue with ups and downs. Have you tried treatments for anxiety such as exercise, medication and therapy? Better understanding your body sensations can make you feel better.

[itsfine in reply to guynfl2chat]

I often exercise and am currently in therapy for the first time.

[quitter333]

Sounds bipolar.

Discipline yourself, have good daily routines and life and short-term goals, and you will be ok.

Don't always try to maintain the "happy" period, as it is not normal. You should engage in discipline because it will allow you to level it our. So you will not feel too bad, but also will not be too happy. It does not mean you will lose ability to feel very sad (like when your dog dies) or happy (when someone tells the best joke), but it will not be in waves, it will be appropriate moments in your life.

[Agora1]

itsfine, up and down emotions as you are experiencing, can be bipolar symptoms.

It takes a professional to diagnose you. There is help for that if you are. Wish you

well in seeking advice. xx

[kvolm2016]

You know the tricky part about symptoms is that the same ones can be the result of a variety of things and a particular diagnosis can also have different symptoms from one person to the next. You mention that you are already working with a therapist which is great! I hope you will find that very helpful and that you are able to put into practice the techniques/tips you receive there. Have you pursued getting a diagnosis from a medical doctor?

[itsfine in reply to kvolm2016]

I've thought about but right now I'm taking small steps since I haven't done therapy before. I'm planning to work with the counselor at my school (which is the current therapy I'm in) before getting further help and talking to my parents about all this.

[kvolm2016 in reply to itsfine]

Every small step toward gaining understanding is good and I applaud you for taking the initiative to do this. Definitely take the guidance and resources that your school counselor have to offer and when you are ready, ask your counselor to recommend the next step that they find appropriate for you.

Do you think you will receive support and encouragement from your parents when you talk with them about this or are you nervous about their reaction?

[anxietyforlife2018]

Hey! Feel free to message me! I am a triple board certified DNP in psychiatric, trauma, and primary care, here to help!