You are here:

Bipolar Disorder/Could I be BiPolar?

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/3/2004


Question
Hi
I have been diagnosed for depression a couple times, and have taken anti-depressants for them, but stopped that about a year ago. Lately, I've been experiencing anxiety, and severe depression. I looked up the symptoms of biopolar disorder, and I have every symptom they listed, except my sleeping is normal, and I read that you may oversleep or have insomnia. I have horrible mood swings all the time. The littlest thing or sometimes nothing can take me from a really good mood to feeling suicidal. These mood swings usually occur weekly. I will be happy and in great spirits for almost a week straight, and then get a week of depression. It is ongoing. When I am in a happy state, I feel so happy and high, but when I am depressed I can go as far as seriously considering suicide. I am currently seeking help, and have arrangements to see a psychiatrist in about a month. Based on what I have told you, what are the chances that I could have bipolar disorder? I know you cannot diagnose me just based on what I said, I am just looking for an idea of how close this is to bipolar, and if it sounds like it could be it, to you.
Thanks-Stephanie

Answer
Hello Stephanie,

I understand that you must be feeling anxious about seeing a psychiatrist.

While you have time I suggest you have a look at some possible causes of your feelings. Yes, extreme mood swings can be due to Bipolar Disorder, but it could also be due to insulin resistance (hypoglycemia). The non-drug treatment for this is the adoption of the hypoglycemic diet.

I suggest you read at our web site:

“What is Hypoglycemia?”

“The Nutritional Aspects of Depression”

“The Serotonin Connection”

“The Hypoglycemic Diet”

and discuss this with your psychiatrist.

Jurriaan Plesman
Free web site
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Bipolar Disorder

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist

Expertise

Have worked as a psychotherapist for overv twenty years, dealing with many personality disorders

Experience

I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”. I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems. Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Organizations
Editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia. Its web site is at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Publications
Author of the book "Getting off the Hook", It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. Various articles in the Hypoglycemic Health Association's Newsletters

Education/Credentials
BA (Psych) (University of Sydney), Post Gad Dip Clin Nutr (International Academy of Nutrition)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.