How can I be sure I have bipolar if I cannot be diagnosed?

[mousiemara]

My mood changes seem to have become so much worse over the last few months.....I am currently very very low, isloted and apathetic. I am almost longing for teh euphoria to return despite it's consequences. I have not been diagnosed with a ''condition'' as my doctor thinks that I just work too hard but I really feel like I require some treatment for these feelings. What can I do? It's as though everywhere I turn, people keep saying...''it's all in your mind. Snap out of it!' Any ideas as to who I could approach?

[faith_grl]

If you are in Australia there is a research institute called the Black Dog Institute - they specialise in diagnosing people with bipolar. I find that if I talk to "normal" people they do say it is all in my head ..and I wish it is! I think if mood swings becomes such an issue for you that it affects your life then it is probably bipolar.

I hope this helps. I am struggling with my diagnoses myself! Even though I have been diagnosed with bipolar ii I keep wondering whether it is my fault and that I should or could pull my socks up and get on with it and stop being such a drama queen.

Good luck with finding somebody who can help.

[irishwriter]

if doc won't refer you to psychiatrist try and find one yourself, they usually are willing to see you particularly if you tell them about your symptoms. this sounds like something you should not be dealing with alone. 'all in your mind' and 'snap our of it' are such horrible things to be said to you. if you are bp it is a disease like any other and needs treatmnent. please don't suffer in silence. maybe your doc just doesn't have any expertise in this area, i knw my doc is the least empathic person i have had so far. but luckily pdoc is great.

[ILADVOCATE]

If by doctor you mean medical doctor then they should refer you to a psychiatrist. They don't seem understand what a psychiatric disability is in my opinion from what you describe. If they won't refer you look up your local NAMI hotline and ask for a list of psychiatrists in your area. If you change moods, that would almost definitely be bipolar instead of depression but only a psychiatrist can make a diagnosis. As for the people who say "its all in your mind" they don't understand what its like. I had that happen as well before recovery. If you need a referral line in your area try http://www.nami.org/ and go to your specific state on their website and call their hotline for a referral first. They don't provide psychiatric advice but they would have a list of psychiatrists nearby.