Bipolar disorder also called Manic-Depression is a mood disorder that is characterized by severe mood swings, changes in behavior, thoughts and energy levels. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.9 million adult Americans, both men and women. This disorder tends to run in families and can greatly affect relationships, the ability to hold down a job and the overall ability to function properly http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview.

Although bipolar disorder is one of the most common mood disorders, it is one of the most difficult to diagnose. Because bipolar disorder has both symptoms of extreme highs and lows, often times patients are misdiagnosed. When someone is manic they are usually full of energy and what you would call high on life so they wouldn’t feel like they need to see a doctor but by contrast when they are in a very depressed state that is when they would seek out help and so the doctor is only seeing half of the problem http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis/diagnosis-of-bipolar-disorder/menu-id-786/.

Often there is no real pattern as to how the mood swings occur in someone who has bipolar disorder so it isn’t always easy to recognize all of the symptoms http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Bipolar_Disorder/hic_Bipolar_Disorder.aspx.

This is especially true if a person doesn’t see the differences in themselves and because your doctor isn’t there to see all of the different changes in your behavior. Since there is no lab test that can detect bipolar disorder, misdiagnosis can occur.

This article will discuss how to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, how to keep a mood chart and finally how to discuss the symptoms with your doctor to help achieve a proper diagnosis. Remember, only doctors can accurately diagnosis bipolar disorder so if you suspect that you or someone you love has bipolar disorder consult a physician or psychiatrist asap.

Have you been told that you are too happy or asked why are you so down all the time, and if you like being depressed? If you have been experiencing fits of anger for no reason or feeling like you’re bouncing off of the walls you may have bipolar disorder.

This disorder has many symptoms that make you feel out of control. You may be happy one minute and crying the next and have no idea what’s wrong.

As stated before, there is no lab test that can determine whether or not you are bipolar but your doctor can give you a questionnaire that will help in determining your diagnosis.

If you are bipolar you can have manic episodes (extreme highs) as well as depression episodes (extreme lows), and then there are what is called mixed episodes where you are having symptoms of both depression and mania all at the same time. Most of the time if you are having an episode you will experience more than one of the symptoms in that category. Here is a list of symptoms to look out for:

Symptoms of Mania: The "Highs" of Bipolar Disorder http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview

1. Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
2. Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
3. Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
4. Grandiose thoughts, inflated sense of self-importance
5. Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
6. Impulsiveness, poor judgment, easily distracted
7. Reckless behavior
8. In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations

Symptoms of Depression: The "Lows" of Bipolar Disorder http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview

1. Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
2. Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
3. Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
4. Pessimism, indifference
5. Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
6. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
7. Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
8. Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
9. Unexplained aches and pains
10. Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

If you haven’t been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but you are experiencing some of the symptoms listed it is a good idea to keep a mood calendar. By keeping track of how you’re feeling, how you’re functioning and what self remedies you are using (like herbal tea or supplements) you will have a better chance at helping your doctor determine whether or not you are in fact bipolar and what treatments may be available for you.

You can do a web search for a free copy of a mood calendar or you can keep a daily record in a notebook or excel spreadsheet. At the end of each day take a few moments and evaluate your day and what you experienced, how you felt, your behavior and so on.

Now that you have the concept of what the mood calendar is for, here are some of the entries that you may want to include if you create one yourself.

1. Medication/Herbal supplements
2. Alcohol or drug use
3. Hours of sleep
4. Rate the severity of your mood episodes
5. Record mixed states (if you were manic and depressed and the same time)
6. Rate your overall mood
7. Record the number of mood changes
8. Record anxiety symptoms
9. Record other symptoms, both physical and mental
10. Record significant life events, both positive and negative

Do this everyday for 30 days and then take it to your appointment to discuss the results with your doctor http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/calendarforweb.pdf. Once you have spoken to your doctor and received a diagnosis continue to monitor your moods because this will help in your treatment.

Many people who have bipolar disorder deny that there is a problem and avoid going to the doctor because of the bad stigma that is attached to this type of illness, but bipolar disorder is in fact an illness and needs to be treated http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/understanding-bipolar-disorder-symptoms.

Bipolar disorder runs in families, so if someone else in your family has the disorder or some of the symptoms listed and you notice that you share the symptoms, you are at a higher likelihood of having bipolar disorder and should make an appointment to see someone as soon as possible http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/understanding-bipolar-disorder-symptoms.

Once you get an appointment make sure you keep it and take the mood calendar along with you so that it is easier to remember the symptoms that you have been experiencing and thus easier to complete the questionnaire the you begin treatment used to help in the diagnosis.

Once you have been properly diagnosed you can begin to discuss treatment options with your doctor. The sooner you begin treatment the sooner you can learn to manage the disorder and begin to have a more normal life. Your most valuable asset is your health so you need to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally as well as physically.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.