Could this be bipolar...?

[Teeny_Tiny_Me]

I'm 18 and have had severe mood swings all my teenage life but put it down to the hormones and a life which hasn't always been easy to deal with. Since moving to uni and living with 5 other flatmates, they have noticed and picked up on things, and have become worried about my current state. I have always had distorted sleep patterns often going to bed at 4am and sleeping in til late afternoon or only getting say 2 hours sleep yet feel energised.

My eating pattern is also distorted and will eat loads for a couple of weeks and then get sick of food and not eat properly for up to 2 weeks. I also change mood quite easily, being as high as a kite one minute and really low the next. Experience a strong feeling of loneliness and emptiness to and especially within the past 2 weeks, of which my flatmates have noticed my up and down moods more so. Each day in the past 14days has been the opposite of the previous, and go through many emotions during the day whilst often feeling sluggish and loss of motivation/energy. Effort to get out of bed and often just stay in bed all day making the excuse that i slept in.

There are also times where im on such a high, almost in a hyperactive way and can start laughing hysterically for no reason and not be able to stop. When i'm in that happy state i tend to find myself shopping and spending alot of money, only to get home and realise that i didn't really need half of it. I'm a very chatty person in general but have always been told to slow down and that others can't keep up due to going off on tangents also and i don't realise i'm doing it...this also happens when i'm feeling really happy generally. when im sad i just cry at everything :/
I know genetics also play a part in bipolar disorder and 2 members of my family have been diagnosed with bipolar and 1 manic depression, which made me ponder. To me i guess im used to my behaviour and i don't feel out of control, however others around me seem to think and feel different.

Was thinking of paying a visit to the doctors, however although it doesn't much bother me if i get the diagnosis of bipolar, as i feel i can cope, it just bothers me about how people will react towards me and future job prospects. How exactly dot hey diagnose you?
Would appreciate any feedback :) x

[heyjude1]

Hi, it could be bipolar but your doc can dx you after discussing your symptoms.  Since Bipolar does run in your family, you have a better than average chance but that doesn't mean you are Bipolar..  Regardless of you dx, I have come to believe it really  doesn't matter about a dx, we all have very similar issues.  The important thing is to have your symptoms under control so you can function fully.

As far as how people will react to you...don't tell them.  My immediate family members are the only people in my life that are aware of my MI.  I would not tell too many people myself.  It's not that it makes you a really sick puppy, but people do not understand Bipolar and tend to think you must be crazy!  We know about Bipolar and know it is simply a mood disorder and is affected by our brain chemicals.  We aren't anymore crazy than other people.  But, until the general public is educated, I personally would keep it to myself.

[Teeny_Tiny_Me]

Also get bouts of insomnia, the worst being a 2 weeks ago, where i simpley couldn't sleep for either not feeling tired when i really should have, or fort he racing thoughts flooding my mind. Had to resort to herbals in the end when i went 72 hours with only 7 hour sleep :/ was dreadful