How to Tell If You're Bipolar

You can't diagnose yourself with bipolar disorder; it's a serious and complex illness that must be diagnosed by a mental health professional. However, by keeping a journal of your symptoms to show your doctor, you're on your way to an accurate diagnosis and treatment. If you think you may have this disorder---characterized by periods of depression and mania---tracking your symptoms is the first step to finding out for sure.

Instructions

Keeping a Journal

1. Note the date and time at the top of each entry.

2. List the specific symptom you're experiencing at that time. Rather than "Felt depressed," you might write "Low energy; felt like crying; no interest in seeing friends tonight."

3. Along with the symptoms, note what was going on in your life just before the symptoms appeared, for example getting yelled at by supervisor at work, or finding out an old friend was coming back into town. Note everything, no matter how insignificant it may seem---it helps determine if your moods are fluctuating for no outside reason.

4. Note what you had eaten in the few hours before the symptoms appeared. Food allergies can affect behavior.

5. If you can remember when you felt manic or depressed prior to starting to keep your journal, note those in the back of your journal. They don't have to be specific entries; something like "Felt depressed between February and May 2008; felt okay for a few months, then manic from November 2008 to February 2009" will be helpful to your doctor.

Finding a Doctor

1. If any of your friends or family have bipolar disorder, ask them for recommendations for doctors.

2. If you aren't going to see someone who was recommended to you, look in the phone book or online under Mental Health, Psychiatrists or Psychologists.

3. Call and schedule an appointment for an evaluation.

4. Before your appointment, talk to family members about any mental health disorders that they or others in the family were diagnosed with. Take this information with you to the appointment.

5. Share your symptom journal with your doctor, and answer all questions honestly. Other disorders have symptoms similar to that of bipolar disorder, and an accurate diagnosis ensures that you get proper treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Depression isn't the same as feeling "down" for a few days. It impairs your ability to function in relationships and can affect your school or work performance. Mania is not just a good mood. It can cause you to feel very happy, but it can also cause you to feel quite irritable. It also impairs your judgment, makes it hard to concentrate, and like depression, has a negative impact on your life.

• If you are feeling suicidal or your life is being severely impacted right now, don't wait to complete a journal or compile a family medical history. Call a doctor right away. If you want to hurt yourself, call 911.

References

• National Institute of Mental Health