Do I have bipolar II? Is it something else?

Ask A Therapist OnlineDo I have bipolar II? Is it something else?
AA asked 12 years ago

Heya… I have been suffering from bouts of intense depression which last from two weeks to… Even a month sometimes. During this time, I have a major drop in my energy levels… I sleep most of the day or stay in bed with my laptop. I also experience a state of amazing happiness lasting about a week now and then.. I also experience a rise in my energy levels and feel like doing something.. Restless.. (I start to work out.. Go for random runs.. Write a LOT, actually do my assignments, spend cash on ‘pointless’ stuff) I also experience what I believe is called splitting in both phases. Like if a person is nice to me, I feel he is amazing and when he says or does something i do not like, I see all the memories of everything bad he has ever done flooding in while forgetting all the good. He goes from ‘white to black’. I am unable to maintain stable relationships… Except for my girlfriend (long distance. We hardly ever meet. Its just texts and calls). When in my depressed phase, I usually shun people.. And I have been self-harming from… 3 to 4 years. (sometimes even in my happy phase. Idk why) Is there something wrong with me or is it puberty? -_- TIA

1 Answers
Best Answer
Insight Psychological Staff answered 12 years ago

It sounds like there is more going on for you than just puberty. It does sound like it could be bipolar disorder. I would suggest talking to a family physician, and then asking for a refereal to a psychiatrist who can give you a proper assessment. The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder come  from an imbalance of serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. With a proper assessment, you and your doctor could find a medication that would help even out the levels of serotonin and dopamine.