How can you be sure you're bipolar, and not just go through normal ups and downs in life?

Question 1
How can you be sure you're bipolar, and not just go through normal ups and downs in life?...  This is what I've found from the Geodon website (part of Pfizer)
" In bipolar disorder, periods of high moods are called manic episodes, and times of low moods are called depressive episodes. Some people also have mixed episodes, feeling manic and depressed at the same time."
"Symptoms of acute manic or mixed episodes may include:
Extremely high or irritable mood
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Racing thoughts or talking very fast
Being easily distracted
Feeling little need for sleep "
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Doesn't almost everyone go through bouts like this?
If you have some trauma occur in your life you can go through on and off periods of sleeplessness. If you drink coffee you may have times when your thoughts are racing and your energy is increased for a little while.
Those symptoms don't give me enough grounds to believe that me or anyone else can be diagnosed with bipolar symptom.
Do you think the pharmecutical companies are trying to get us to buy drugs that we don't need?

Answers
1)   There is a huge difference between 'manic' behaviour and a normal up. Not everyone with depression is automatically bi-polar though. - Snapdragon.

2)   No, not everyone has bouts as you describe. That is an illness and should be corrected. - Zork

3)   Don't worry about it. Worry is the only cause of bipolar. Doctors may disagree, but I can promise you that it is all caused by worry. Doctors found out long time ago that we could think and worry ourselves into conditions and sicknesses, and now they've made an industry out of it. Just have faith and don't claim any sick ness onto yourself. You will be fine. In fact, if you will be better than fine, because you will know something most people don't know :) GOD BLESS!!! - southsighd

4)   You are correct everyone in sometime in their life will go through those emotions or feelings, due to things that may be occurring in your life. But the thing with bi polar is that people feel or act that way for no reason and its very random. - LJ

5)   You need to actually go to a professional to be diagnosed. The questions they will ask will be much more in depth, plus they will rely on your medical history for clues. You should start with your family doctor, and specifically ask for a referral to a psychiatrist for a diagnosis. A psychiatrist can choose to prescribe medications if necessary and then can refer you to a psychologist or qualified therapist to help you cope with the issues that will crop up.

Most people experience some, or all, of these symptoms at times, but the true bipolar finds it rare to not be experiencing them, and they get worse if left untreated. - originalkippyj

6)   i did not read the details, but if you suspect a mental illness, you should be evaluated by a counselor or psychiatrist. - 150caliber

7)   See a doctor they have a test they do. You may find it online. There are different severity's of bi polar disorder. People have a misconception that your a wildly out of control lunatic but thats not always the case. Mostly look at your moods if they are constantly changing with no reason than thats an indication. - Super


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Question 2
Why can only girls get Turner Syndrome?...  I'm writing a report on this.

Answers
1)   Its to do with the female chromosomes - Phoenix Laguz

2)   It's a mutation of the X chromosome, where one of the two chromosomes is missing or has other abnormalities. It only affects females because if a male embryo were to lose his X-chromosome, he wouldn't be able to develop in the first place. Since females have two X's, they are capable of living with just one. An embryo needs at least one intact X to develop into a fetus. - HP

3)   because the lack of X chromosome in women and men have different effect.

The disease also exists in males but has a different name.. that now i forgot. - Willian


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Question 3
For those that are pro H1N1 vaccines, to what lengths would you go to have yourself or your child vaccinated?...  Would you wait in line for 1 hour? 2? 3? Would you drive 25 miles? 50? 100?
Syko!, were you vaccinated with an unsafe amout of mercury as a child?
Mozz, it's a drive thru inoculation so I guess the weather wouldn't as much of a factor.

Answers
1)   I'd drive for it. Not much for standing in line, especially in this weather where we're probably going to get sicker standing there.

If there are enough available I'll get one. And I said the same about my healthier kids. It was more important that Bear get one, and she's part of that first batch. They call us when her flu shot is ready, it's kinda spoiled. I didn't ask about her brother (I usually do), knowing that there weren't enough to go around, but they called us for him too. They have the same logic I do... keep the bug out of the house for her sake.

She's not totally vaccinated yet, she's little so she needs that second shot. So back in the bubble she goes. People think I'm paranoid with her, but no exaggeration, the croup almost killed her once. If paranoid is the worst thing you can say about me, I'm alright with that. I like having her around. She's good company. - Bozz Mozz

2)   i wouldn't get my child or me vaccinated because i read an article that said that the needles had microchips in them that control people and alter thier sexuality, thoughts, dreams, and etc. if you want someone controlling your life though get it...

i also looked at what was in the vaccine and found out that it contained an unsafe amount of mercury. make your child stupid lol*. - syko!

3)   I would get the chemical formula and make my own vaccine in my own laboratory, like Omega Man. I don't wait in line.

Plus, I have like 50 kids now. Natalienukkims knows the exact number. Our Partridge Family bus is getting way overloaded and is popping tires now. - Holy XLIX


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Question 4
why am I fainting and loosing conciousness and control of my bowels?...  My mom has been fainting now for about 2years. She has had heart bypass. She has asthma and is diabetic. Her symptoms are shaking on the inside, then loss of conciousness, foaming at the mouth,flushing of the bowels, blood sugar goes up and blood pressure goes down. She is usually rushed to the ER with the same response. "Just go home and rest."The whole episode lasts for about 3 hours. She can be sitting still or walking ..when she passes out. We did find out about 3 months ago that she had a stroke. Non of her doctors , so far, are linking her stroke or heart to her passing out. Any info you have will be greatly appreciated.

Answers
1)   she has problems of suger ristict and cant control i think you bring here to the doctors - Tyler S

2)   Is it you fainting or your Mother? - Zork

3)   yeah diabetes and dropping blood pressure can cause this! and also some medications will cause you blood pressure to drop. i was taking bethanecol for my gastro pareeces and i fainted a few times cuz it make my blood pressure drop way down especially when i stood up. but low blood sugar levels will cause dizziness and fainting too. but yeah poor circulation and and low or really high blood pressure can cause the fainting.. i really feel for her i'm going through a lot of the same things she is and i'm only 38. good luck i hope she gets feeling better :oP - shawn


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Question 5
anorexia??????????????...  I have been diagnosed with anorexia but I think that I'm okay I eat under 800 calories a day and im 5'9 and 101.4lbs my bmi is 15.19, i have lost a stone in a few months and my GP is concerned he then refered me to my old shrink, I was in treatment for 6 months from December 08-August 09 but it didn't work I nearly got made inpatient at 108lbs at 5'9 and I was 15, I'm 16 now but I was wondering if i would be able/made to go into a residential care unit for a few months or am not thin enough? and am i eating too much for this type of treatment? i read it was designed for teens 16+ with an eating disordeer but is medically stable, this is the place i was meant to be sent to the last time and the one i am thinking about going to this time
http://www.eatingdisordercenter.org/treatment/referral.asp this is what i eat in a typical school day
breakfast- 1 yoghurt + special k bites- 150 calories (max 200 calories)
lunch- chichken tortilla- 300 calories (max 300 calories)
dinner- ham sandwich- 280 calories (max 300 calories)
total- 730 calories (max 800 calories)
also I cant go to another shrink as there aren't any in the area and my parents can't afford to send me to a private one
thanks for any answers =]
sometimes i switch dinner to a salad as long as its under 300 calories.

Answers
1)   Burning calories was much easier for me when I started experimenting with acai berry. I know they say that pills do not work, but they sure worked for me, and they've been featured on CNN too. There is a free trial on right now at http://pilesn.momentumfitness.info , why not check it out, how worse could it make things? - Franklin

2)   you calculate so much how much you eat that i can already say you are anorexic.

seriosly.. you should be aware of how much you eat.. but being able to but it in a calculator.. thats obcession! - Willian


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