Am I bipolar?

I am hunted by the text message I receive from my very own hubby. He said that I show traits of being bipolar at times.

After his statement I started to wonder if indeed I am bipolar.

Although I know the general meaning of being a bipolar, I started to get curious about it even more.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

I have mood swings, super mood swings... As what my mom told me I have this "sala sa lamig, sala sa init" attitude because I had Typhoid fever when I was only three years old.Though there were no basis that people who had typhoid fever will have mood swings in their after life, Mama will still insist that because I had it before that is the reason why I have sudden change in my mood.

Symptoms:

A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home.

There are really times that I suddenly feel depressed and sad. I have my emo moments at times probably because I have problems with my marriage, money, personal issues, family issues and insecurities in life.

I remember one time while riding the bus on my way to work, I suddenly cried, I suddenly felt so sad. Since I don't know the reason why I cried I thought of my hubby. The sadness and disappointments that he brought to my life as the primary reason why I cried and I was able to believe that that is the why tears fell from my eyes.

Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania.

I remember in 2006, I rent an apartment with my colleagues at work. On our first day as house mates, we went to this big mall in Makati to buy some stuff for our apartment. Before we went shopping we did our usual malling. We went home around past 11pm. When we got home they were all tired and lying on the floor complaining that their feet aches and there I was washing the plates etc. as well as cooking. Then Cheeky said "hindi ka pa napapagod? bukas na yan 'Yie, galing pa tayong shift kanina tpos mall tapos ngayon hugas ka plate... adik ka?" I remember saying "no nga e, I have energy pa to go nomo." There were also times that I would sleep for 24hours straight or 48 hours awake. I am not an addict naman. There are moment that I feel so lazy, I would take a 7 days leave just lying in my bed. Sometimes would take an OT and sleep for like 2 hours a day.

People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.

I am often overexcited with something and then my energy would lie-low and totally forget about everything. Sometimes, Uber happy with something then be sad the next hour. Not just sad but super said. There are times that I am so depressed that I would smoke a pack of DJ MIX. Often times I am irritated with a friend that I would love to shave his hair off.

Here are some symptoms:

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:

Mood Changes A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy" or "wired." Behavioral Changes Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts Being easily distracted Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects Being restless Sleeping little Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable, high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments.

Mood Changes A long period of feeling worried or empty Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex. Behavioral Changes Feeling tired or "slowed down" Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions Being restless or irritable Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.

***Note: All highlighted in red are some of my behaviour that I experience.

Solution:

I'll ask my mom to accompany me to the doctor.