A Dilemma Involving Sleep...

Hello Everybody!

I'm 16 and have just started my GCSE exams. I have been having rapid mood swings that I am seeking a diagnosis for, but do not have one as of yet (and so am not on any medication). I've been having some mild sleep disturbances, but nothing that has presented me with a significant problem has arisen until now.

I took my Religious Studies exam last week, and was very anxious about it (though I suppose that's natural) and revised and did everything I was supposed to. I got into the exam, couldn't concentrate or recall important information, messed it up and spent the following four or five days beating myself up about it, becoming very upset and thinking, hard, about suicide to the point where it really, really seemed like a viable option.

Which leads me to my point. I stayed up virtually all night last night (had an IT coursework deadline to meet) and now I feel a million times better, pleasantly relaxed (if somewhat distant), cheerful, outgoing and not tired anymore, I'm not in the least bit anxious about my exams not that I've had no sleep and when the PE exam came around last Friday (after a 3:00am bedtime that morning), I sailed through it quickly and did a pretty good job. I don't feel sad or anxious since going without sleep.

My question is, is it safe to get so little sleep through the exam period (about month) if the alternative is sliding into sadness, suicidal thoughts and anxiety? I feel sure that I would do far better in the exams when I've had little sleep than if I had slept through the night. I'm torn between the obvious health benefits of sleep and the reprieve from my 'down' mood swings that the lack of it gives me.

Thanks!

SmileyWolf

[MMahon]

Hi Simley!
From what  you write it sounds like you are experiencing mood swings very typical of bipolar effective disorder.  It usually doesn't present itself until the late teens but check out..

http://health.yahoo.com/mentalhealth-symptoms/bipolar-disorder-symptoms/healthwise--ty1058.html

I urge you to talk to your parents and see your doctor.  You don't want to wait until symptoms get more severe or impact your life more seriously.  Better to be save then sorry.  It is very treatable especially if controlled early.

Good luck.

[Claire_MHModerator]

We also have a pretty thorough explanation of Bipolar Disorder here at MedHelp:
http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/392/Bipolar-disorder-