Trapped in my own mind

[LockBox]

Does anyone else experience this? At times I feel trapped in my own mind and I can't get out. Ideas and thoughts come at me so fast and I can't sort it out.

At other times ( like now) I feel so lethargic and dizzy. I feel like I can't even move.

I have not had a diagnosis. I'm just wondering if you can relate.

[LockBox]

Thank you for the insightful comments. I was wondering if the hypomania can turn into mania at some point. I don't think I've  had full blown mania, but I have had full blown depression. Although a few months ago I think I had a mixed episode because I was going between sobbing in the floor wanting to die, and then having a detailed fantasy about destroying everthing I own with an axe. Literally imagining myself going through each room and smashing everything. This not normal for me.

[lindahand]

Thoughts coming at you fast that you can't sort out can be part of what is called a hypomania. That is some of the symptoms of mania but at a reduced severity. You may shop more but not spend $3000 in a day like someone who is manic might do. You may have racing thoughts but not to the severity of pressured speech. You may need less sleep but you still sleep unlike someone who is manic and will stay up for days.

Lethary is part of depression, but it must be accompanied by a dark mood with thoughts of death or suicide. Depressions are the same in bipolar 1 as they are in bipolar 2.

The online internet quizzes can be a place to start. They are by no means a replacement for a psychiatrist or medical doctor but could give you an idea of whether or not it is bipolar disorder. As well this site has a pretty decent description of bipolar and a list of symptoms you can refer to. Its under the 'health information' tab.

And if you can save up enough money to see someone it is worth it. Mind you I live in a country with public medicare so it doesn't cost me anything to see a doctor or specialist so perhaps I am not one to talk. I found medication really helped me. Whatever you do. If you suspect you may be bipolar don't take an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer like lamotrigine, lithium, or valproate. It can flip you into a manic or hypomanic episode. Some GP's still don't know this.

[looloo141]

Yes I often feel locked in my own head, sometimes I want to get out othertimes I don't..I think too much but when I feel trapped there is absolutely nothing I can do, it is like I am posessed and I just have to go with it.. Ideas and Schemes can be part of Bipolar, I have projects or mad missions LOL. We all are different and we don't all have every symptom of a disorder,,, I remember when my son had Meningitis, I was so freaked because he didn't have the rash, the most common symptom!
Get checked out as soon as is possible at the very least to treat your depression....

[LockBox]

Thank you for responding. Usually the racing thoughts are ideas and scheems that come to me. I have wondered of I am bipolar, but when I am depressed it can be extremely low, but I don't quite get mania as I understand it.

I can hide my racing idea (thoughts) to a certain exstent and don't have pressured speech.

I would like to see an expert, but it's not possible right now:(

[capegirlnoshoes]

I can relate to the lethargy and dizziness, they're common symptoms of depression (and many other things, of course).  I've never experienced the racing thoughts personally but when they're coupled with elevated mood (that is, really wired and happy or really enraged) with transitions to depressive episodes, then that's very characteristic of bipolar disorder.  If that sounds like you, then you should probably see a doctor about it since it's not the kind of disorder you can manage on your own.  
On the other hand, the racing thoughts could be a part of an anxiety attack - in which case you could see someone who can help you with anxiety reduction, like deep breathing techniques, meditation, or a psychologist who can talk you through it all and help you make a plan that can help you calm down.