Bipolar Disorder Self-Test
Research indicates that there are a wide range of symptoms that indicate bipolar disorder, and for this reason the disorder is not always correctly diagnosed. The bipolar disorder self-test is the first step towards identifying the existence of the condition…
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood swings, that can be dangerous. A person suffering from bipolar disorder will experience episodes of abnormally elevated mood, clinically referred to as mania. They are also likely to experience depressive episodes. These episodes may take place separately, or together, in a mixed episode where both emotions are experienced together. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder. Very often, the disorder is seen to develop during the late teen or early adult years, with about half of all cases occurring before the age of 25.
Bipolar Disorder Self Tracking
Bipolar disorder is a difficult condition to identify, especially in the initial stages. Often the symptoms are considered separate mood problems, and the person diagnosing fails to see that they are in fact small parts of a bigger problem. An unfortunate truth is that some people go undiagnosed for years, suffering all the while. However, there is no physical bipolar disorder test, such as a blood or saliva test, at present, to indicate that the condition exists.
If you suspect that you may suffer from this condition, these are a few steps you can take to help confirm your suspicions:
* Keep a record of how often you don’t feel like yourself and have to excuse your behavior in front of others. Be honest with your self, and make a note of both, highs and lows.
* Track your sleep patterns. On a daily basis, write down how many hours you slept the previous night and make special notes about periods of insomnia as well as times when you have felt that you couldn’t get out of bed and needed more sleep.
* Whenever you experience a period of highs and lows in your sleep patterns, also make note of your energy levels during these times. After a while, you may find certain sleep patterns correlating with mood changes. For example, too much sleep may be followed by periods of feelings of loneliness, depression, indifference or even suicidal tendencies.
* Record the times when you have indulged in irresponsible or risky actions, that put you in danger. While in a manic phase of a bipolar disorder, a person may display out-of-character behavior, such as spending or gambling away a lot of money, driving fast and recklessly, or having promiscuous sex. (more…)