Could mood swings mean bipolar? A leaflet designed for people who are concerned about their mental health. Expand A leaflet designed for people who are concerned about their mental health. This leaflet is for you if you or your doctor is concerned about your mental health. You might have discussed the possibility of bipolar and you might have been referred to a specialist. It gives an introduction to bipolar and how monitoring your moods and behaviour can help you understand your mood swings. Download this leaflet as a PDF Your donation will help provide a range of services offering the support people need, when they need it. You can make sure there's someone at the end of the phone to listen, a nearby group to share lived experiences, a 24-hour peer forum and more. Together, we can support the person behind the diagnosis of bipolar.
Introduction to Bipolar An introduction to bipolar disorder and the services offered by Bipolar UK Expand An introduction to bipolar disorder and the services offered by Bipolar UK Bipolar, sometimes known as manic depression, is a severe mental illness characterised by significant mood swings including manic highs and depressive lows. Download this leaflet as a PDF
Bipolar UK Mood Scale Our Mood Scale can help you to describe your moods.Use it with our Mood Diary to help keep track of your moods. Expand Our Mood Scale can help you to describe your moods You can use this Mood Scale with our Mood Diary to help keep track of your moods. Download our Mood Scale as a PDF Your donation will help provide a range of services offering the support people need, when they need it. You can make sure there's someone at the end of the phone to listen, a nearby group to share lived experiences, a 24-hour peer forum and more. Together, we can support the person behind the diagnosis of bipolar.
How do I know if I have bipolar? Expand Bipolar affects everyone differently and can be difficult to diagnose, but there are some common signs that can help you identify the illness. A mood scale - see our 'Could mood swings mean bipolar?' leaflet - will help you and your doctor understand your mood swings. Take a completed mood scale with you to your next appointment with your doctor and tell them how you have been feeling over a period of time. If you feel comfortable you could complete the mood scale and see your doctor with someone close to you. Sometimes your GP may refer you to a specialist – usually a psychiatrist. Diagnosis should always be undertaken by an appropriately trained medical professional. It is not advisable to self diagnose. Your donation will help provide a range of services offering the support people need, when they need it. You can make sure there's someone at the end of the phone to listen, a nearby group to share lived experiences, a 24-hour peer forum and more. Together, we can support the person behind the diagnosis of bipolar.
Is there a medical test for bipolar? Expand There is no medical test for bipolar. Instead your GP or psychiatrist will usually complete an assessment focusing on your mood swings. They will ask questions about your family history and background, your sleeping pattern, your diet and your behaviour. They may also take notes about when you first experienced symptoms. All this information is relevant to help make an informed diagnosis.
Is there a cause or cure for bipolar? Expand Although much progress has been made in understanding bipolar and how it can be managed, research has still not led to either a consensus on the cause or a cure. Some research suggests that there is, if not a known genetic link, then certainly an inherited predisposition to developing bipolar. It is also known that stressful life events may often precede an episode of mania, hypomania or depression. As our understanding of the function of the brain increases, more insights and more effective medication can be developed. This is why Bipolar UK works in partnership with research organisations.
If I experience mood swings does that mean I have bipolar? Expand No, everyone has good and not so good days and experiences mood swings. The Bipolar UK mood scale is from 0 to 10 and those not affected by bipolar will experience mood swings between 4 and 6 on the mood scale. If you have bipolar, your mood swings go above stable levels anywhere between a 6 and 10. With bipolar when you experience depression it falls below 4 to as low as suicidal depression of 0. Hypomania (6 to 8 on the mood scale). Someone experiencing hypomania can seem very self confident and euphoric but may react with sudden anger, impatience or irritability for the slightest reason. They may become easily distracted, more talkative or challenging. They may become more reckless than usual, which might mean errors of judgement, sometimes involving spending too much money or taking on more than they can cope with. Mania (8 to 10 on the mood scale) Someone experiencing mania may not recognise it is happening. Incoherent, rapid or disjointed thinking or being easily distracted. Other symptoms may include verbal aggression, paranoia and hallucinations affecting vision or perception. Grandiose delusions or ideas can occur where the sense of identity and self have been distorted by the illness. Sometimes the term psychosis (losing touch with reality) is used to describe these symptoms. Depression (4 to 0 on the mood scale) Most people with bipolar will experience severe depression at some time. Usually this will follow a period of mania or hypomania. For some people depression is more likely to occur during the winter months. Common symptoms experienced during depression include: feelings of emptiness or worthlessness (as opposed to sadness), loss of energy and motivation for everyday activities, pessimism and negativity. Thoughts of death and suicide are also common symptoms.