Moods

[iamaustralian]

I don't know If this would have anything related, but ive been kind of jumpy lately, just getting really upset, then all of the sudden I am okay and walk away. Then one day my brother was freaked out because I just randomly started laughing really hard at something that wasn't supposed to be laughed at. And I don't know why but I couldn't stop. Could you gain bipolar disorder?

[PeteForce]

BIPOLAR at least with me ... was something that was obvious.i only wanted to make a quick coment here aout the age thig. with me i alays was "different" ,didnt fit in,or felt like i didnt...EVEN THOUGH I COULD GET ALONG with everyone{i would just mimic what i knw they wated me to do,get the response i knew they would give,then continue} ...see their goes the ramblioing...i apologize...

with AGE.. with me and i am full blown diagnosed bipolar.worked 15 years straight,great job and all...thought i had it all handled but by 30-31 it was becoming to much. anyway before i go one and one... i would say it started to really rear its ugliness around 22.

[iamaustralian]

oh ok. I also just got out of depression a year ago. and still recovering from annerexia

[Anonymouse88]

Yeah, 15 is a bit young to get certain diagnoses, since you're still developing.  20 minutes is an extremely short episode, if you're even having episodes.  Bipolar I requires at least one bout of mania, which has to last a week or be severe enough to require hospitalization.  Bipolar II requires at least one bout of hypomania (minimum time 4 days) and at least one bout of major depression (minimum of 2 weeks).  Having more than 4 cycles per year counts as rapid cycling--some people can go for years in depression or mania/hypomania, although there is a full spectrum.  

Remember that we can't diagnose you via the internet, and a mental health professional is the one to do any diagnosing.  So I'm not saying that you absolutely don't have it, but I do have my doubts.

[iamaustralian]

I am 15. They aren't too short. Usually they last to about 20 minutes before I can feel it go away. And yes, I might go chat with someone, but I was just asking if it could be.

[Anonymouse88]

How old are you?  Bipolar disorder often emerges in the late teens or early twenties, but you sound a bit younger.  Weird moods are a normal part of being a teenager, and it's best not to self diagnose.  Bipolar also tends to cause MUCH longer swings in mood, although ultradian forms do exist (they're rare).  If you're worried, talk to a mental health professional about it.  No online test is going to give you a yes/no answer, and a lot of them are BS anyway.  And nobody can diagnose you over the internet, especially people who aren't health professionals.