Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 12/2/2006

Question
Hello
I've recently recognized what ive been experiencing for a while as a possible mental illness. I have to shorten this email so i dont go over the max. length. After recognizing this i did research and even got a response from someone at this allexperts websites and 3 possible things come up. If i can find what i have i think it will help me talk myself into finding help. The 3 things were: a form of anxiety, a form of bipolar, Emotional and Psychological Trauma, but i realize it would be easier to diagnose if i were to talk and visit a professional but i was wondering if i listed the symptoms that ive found myself having that i have found is related to the disorders listed above if you could give me your opinion on what you think it is so i can be pointed in the right direction. Im thinking i might go over the max. text amount of this email so ill list them bunched together to save room.   Irritability(not all the time and seems to be more consistent with certain people),always carrying what other people thing of the simplest things i do or say, restlessness,falling asleep/staying asleep(never been a good sleeper but not seems to be worse then ever,tension and on edge(only at times),worry,difficulty concentrating,Feeling out of control,Irritability, angry and resentment,impulsive, low self-esteem, a use of some drugs, thoughts of suicide(only recently and only when i feel overwhelmed with this undescribable emotional state), the feeling of not being wanted and things not changing, social withdrawal; diminished ability to give and feel love. All those come and come daily, weekly, theres really no set thing. Some of those happened often and others more rare but the biggest one is the mood/emotion state swings. i go from feeling incredibly happy for sometimes no reason to just feeling depressed,sometimes in the matter of minutes, seconds, hrs. i guess i just don't like who this is making me. im not sure if you need any history or anything on me or what my day to day life is like and if any of that would help i would love to share.I feel
I really appreciate ALL your time to sit down and read this and i hope to hear from you soon

thanks again
Jon

Answer
Hi, Jon . . .

It is impossible to make a diagnosis from the information you provide in your query. It is quite possible that you have a mood disorder complicated by anxiety.

I suggest that you take the bipolar screening examination at:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.bipolar-screening.html
and then take the results to a psychiatrist and get a full evaluation. Only after an interview with a psychiatrist will you have a diagnosis of your problems.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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