Extreme mood swings

[Argamemnon]

I've been having extreme mood changes lately. Even on the same day I can feel great for hours, and then suddenly I feel exhausted and very depressed. I have to discuss this with my psychiatrist, I'm really worried. Is this normal?

 

[rand0m_guy]

I can get this to. Not as bad as I used to though.

I've found a good diet, exercise, and keeping a half decent sleeping pattern helps though. I would alter these things before going on meds/higher doses of meds. By all means mention it to your psych though.

Since 'normal', by definition, simple means 'the majority', then no, it's not normal.

I hope you start feeling consistently better soon.

 

[Argamemnon]

Thanks rand0m guy.

Just wondering though, can people affected by bipolar function at work? What if they have a manic or depressive episode?

 

[appletree]

i feel like this every single day, i strongly suspect that i am bi polar.
I can be with a group of friends and be laughing one moment and then feel like crying.
is it normal?
probably not...what is normal?
i'm so far beyond normal that i have forgotten what it actually feels like to be normal.
I'm just in an incredibly lucky position that i have some absolutly amazing friends to pull me through when i feel really really bad.
hope you feel okay today

 

[princess_haru]

I get this too. I can be fine one moment and horribly depressed the next - it's so intense that I can physically feel it, sometimes! And yes, it has affected me at work before. I don't know if I'm bi-polar as I have low moods way more often and more severely than up moods, but sometimes I do get a wave of positivity that tends to be strong but short lived.

People often describe your teen years as being "like a rollercoaster" of emotions, but I'm 26 now and I still feel like this :-/

 

[Socially_Retarded]

I'm much the same. Because I get the feeling that im being scrutinised and talked about by everyone its like this intense pressure builds up inside of me, which really shortens my fuse so that when someone does or says something I perceive as even slightly critical I flip out. Not all the time, only on those 'bad' days.

I totally get what you mean princess_haru, im over this rollercoaster ride I just want to get off....

 

[SickJoke]

I think bipolar is just a label they slap on people that are highly sensitive to external events. Practice being a rock for a day. No matter what happens, good or bad, just keep cool - don't react. It's a skill that needs to be mastered with practice.

And rand0m_guy is right on with the diet/exercise/sleep advice. Maintain a steady routine in those 3 areas. And avoid simple carbohydrates and caffeine, they exacerbate the peaks and valleys.

 

[blue]

Hi argamemnon
I am feeling just the same at the moment one minute up the next down. I also wonder if im bi polar. Some days I feel really anxious and find it difficult speaking and other days I feel really calm and can speak to anyone.

 

[newbie]

yes! i feel ur pain man