do i have bipolar disorder?

[Can15]

i think i have bipolar disorder there are times i just have no energy and im depressed i with draw from friends i just what to be alone with my thoughts i feel like everyone hates me i get angry at stupid things. Sometimes i self harm  cause i feel worthless i think there is no reason for living anymore. Sometimes im normal and sometimes im overly happy i talk a lot i have more energy i feel like im on top of the world.

[monkeyc]

ILADVOCATE is 100% right here - and the advice is good.

The first step to treatment is diagnosis and the first step to diagnosis is recongising you have a problem and getting help.  And that's the hardest step.

You have taken it.  So now its time to go out there and get some help, first step is likely a family doctor or GP depending where you are in the world and then a referral to a psychiatrist.  The first visit to a psychiatrist can be a daunting thing but relax about it - they are nothing like TV portrays them and its important to trust your psych and be open honest and truthful with them and with yourself.

We're here, there's lots of us around from different countries, ages and backgrounds who have all got our own experiences and histories - we can offer advice where we can and help where its needed and sometimes just a shoulder to cry on.  Come back and tell us how you went after the doctor ok.

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes that would sound like bipolar disorder. However, the part you put about self harm concerns me. If you are doing that I would say something is wrong regardless of whether it is bipolar or some other psychiatric disability. That alone is cause for concern. So before you worry about what specifically it is speak to a psychiatrist as soon as possible so that you don't continue to harm yourself. There are support groups for that in addition to medication and talk therapy. But make sure to tell them you have mood swings so that you don't get misdiagnosed with depression. Since the medications for depression are anti-depressents (Prozac, Luvox, Celexa for example) and those for bipolar mood stabilizers the treatment is vastly different and anti-depressents if wrongly prescribed to someone with bipolar can actually enduce mania. The three most commonly used mood stabilizers are Lithium, Depakoate and Lamictal and out of the three many people find Lamictal to be the most tolerable but its a decision between consumer and provider. But speak to a psychiatrist first to find a way to end whatever you are doing to harm yourself. Then once you get diagnosed you can post here again and people could give better follow up advice.

[LetaB]

It sounds like you have a good grasp of your situation if you can see yourself so clearly. I am, myself, diagnosed with bipolarity and only after too many years of confusion, delusion, and self hatred have I finally been able to admit that this recent diagnosis is probably correct. I wish you the best on getting the help you need to feel better soon.