I think I might have bipolar. I have a an appointment with my GP this evening. What do I say? Do I just tell her what I think and wait for her to ask questions?
Literally the most nerve wracking thing I have done, especially as I'm feeling 'normal' I just don't think I will be taken seriously...
Thanks for reading x
Hi the best thing to do is just tell her your symptoms. If it helps write them down and just give them to her. I presume if you think you are bi polar that you have looked online to see if the symptoms fit yours?
I don't think there is any harm in asking her after tell her your symptoms if she thinks you could be bipolar. She might not know though as GP's aren't experts in mental health conditions. Hopefully she will refer you to a counsellor who can diagnose you. Let us know how you get on. x
Thank you for your reply!
Yes, I had one of those 'it makes so much sense' moments when reading the symptoms. I have battled with depression for many years, but I've always known something was't right.. This last 'episode' has been the worst.
My poor husband is at the end of his tether and is pretty much the reason I'm even entertaining going to the GP.
I'm hoping she will be able to give me some clarity whatever my situation. x
Believe me your GP will take Bipolar very serious.
Before you attend Surgery make a list of your concerns and associated Anxiety.
If you do above it will speed up your appointment and you will be able to make more use of the time available, Try not to be too anxious, the list will help you control your moods in a more matter of fact way
I thought i may be Bipolar when I went to get my first diagnosis but after going through a questionnaire and doing a mood diary for a few weeks my doctor said that I have just have depression and not any mania. I imagine they will do something similar, but definitely tell them everything that you have related to on the list of symptoms you can find on NHS or Mind website
Thanks dozymoomin! She didn't ask me to fill a diary or anything out. But did you have the same kind of 'mood swings' too? And what has your out come been? Do you feel better? Are you on meds? Have the highs and lows 'levelled' out?
Thank you for sharing your experience, really helps! Xx
I was going through a lot of emotions while I was at uni due to the stress and because of a close family member passing away, I was very up and down all the time going out and partying and drinking too much, spending money I didn't have on things I didn't need then feeling very low the days in between etc. I was asked to stop drinking alcohol for a while to see if that had any affect on my moods, and that's what pointed more towards depression rather than bipolar.
Since being diagnosed with depression I have tried a few different medications. Being on meds is by no means a fix but it does help to manage your moods better, for example before I would just jump straight into thinking the worst but now it takes a bit longer for me to get into a low mood so it gives me the time to try and pull myself out of it and think more rationally. I don't know if this is how it works with anyone else.
I have also this year tried CBT and it was good to have someone to talk to about how I was feeling and to make me think about how I end up stuck in negative thought patterns and how to try and change them. Unfortunately my sessions got cut short due to relocation and I am still struggling because I could do with more sessions which I am looking into.
I hope that you find something that helps you, best of luck x
Be as 100% totally upfront and honest with the Dr as you can. Don't try to say things that you think will impress him/her. Even if you say: I'm very nervous about talking with you because I don't know what to say for sure.... This will help the Dr to understand a lot more. Dr's and counselors have 'heard it all' you are not going to shock them! 
Anyway...I just now saw you posted 12 hrs ago so the visit is over. I hope it went well... Keep in touch and take good care... I hope he refers you to a therapist... they can help SO much.
I hope your gp appointment went ok for you and that s/he listened carefully and took your concerns seriously? Some gp's are much better at dealing with mental health issues than others are. I hope you got a good one?
That you all for your replies!! I went in with all my concerns.. However, she doesn't think I have bipolar.. Which is good!!
But she didn't really say what I could have, depression?. She said my mood changes are happening too quickly to be bipolar.. Eg. 4-5 days in a high phase, followed straight away by (this time) 8 days feeling low, not leaving the house etc. And now I feel 'normal'.
She also said, I can't have experienced hypomania as people in that phase do things really 'out of this world' buy houses, arrange trips etc etc. For me it's feeling affectionate, high energy, obsessed with sex, just feeling 'high on life' on the flip side.. I'm not thinking about the consequences I become obsessed with getting affection from anywhere/anyone and I get paranoid over silly things! Mainly that my friends really don't like me and everyone is talking about me!
So, she prescribed me antidepressants, which she says should just 'level' me out... However, the antidepressants she's prescribed (I obviously googled them) came up with this warning...
Reboxetine, it's called.
Some research published in 2010, which analysed all available drug trial results for reboxetine, suggested that this drug is actually less effective for depression than a placebo (a dummy pill), and its possible harms could outweigh its possible benefits.
So, my new question.. Do I take the suggested? Or do I go back and ask for something else? Sorry for another long message!!! x
Hi, was wondering how it went at gp? I hope you got somewhere. I know iv got bipolar but been to gp many times and got nowhere. Now I don't know where to turn.
Hi, my GP doesn't think I have Bipolar.. And after talking with her, I agree! What are your doctors saying? I wrote a post above as to what the doc has said to me and Hav tarted taking the anti depressants she prescribed and literally feel so much clearer x
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