Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 2/16/2010

Question
Hi

I have completed 2 online mental assessment tests, and the results were a little distressing, at the minute I really don't like the thoughts of meeting a doctor face-to-face to discuss the possibilities.

One suggests that I may have bipolar disorder while the other suggests that along with the possibility of some other illness, borderline personality ect.
The main reasons I took the test were to see why I constantly have thoughts (ideas) and never follow through. I find myself staying in a lot more and when I do go out I can be very very chatty. I have of lot thought of death a lot more, not to be mistaken for suicide thoughts, but death in general and whats coming afterwards, I admit this make me feel quite anxious. My main concern is that I am putting a lot of things off and there are some bouts of forgetfulness. I feel somewhat lonely and almost a point of not worthlessness but more of hopeless. My thoughts towards people change regular enough, I wouldn't consider these thoughts to be dangerous, but they are angry.

I think (hope) that its just a case that I need to reorganise my life(style) BUT I would like to rule out the possibility of a mental disorder/sickness.

Answer
Hi Colm,

In treating mood disorders it is not important to have a label, but rather we are interested in symptoms.

I suggest that you test yourself with:

The Nutrition-Behavior Inventory Questionnaire at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/nutrition-behavior_inventory.html

and the

The Hypo Quizz at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.org/hypo_test.asp

If you score high it may be positive for hypoglycemia, which could be responsible for the symptoms. This can be treated by going on a hypoglycemic diet (Search our web site for this). Please discuss with a Nutritional Doctor, Clinical Nutritionist or a Nutritional Psychologist, if self-help therapy fails. Try to avoid drug therapy as much possible.
Use our "Search our Web Site" for more information about any terms entered into the search engine.

Please let me know what your score is and come back.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman