I'm on anti-depressents, but recently I heard of bipolar disorder, and that sounds much more like what I have than depression! How can I tell whether i have it or not? What are the causes and symptoms? I just want to find out the facts so I can be sure of what I am really suffering from.

MAKE SURE YOU CONSULT A PSYCHIATRIST!!Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: Depressive Episodes2
Someone in a depressed state of mind may…

Feel sad
He or she may feel sad or just plain “empty” inside, be tearful or cry.
Lose interest in things
He or she may stop doing things usually enjoyed and feel that those things just aren’t worth doing.
Gain or lose weight
He or she may lose weight without trying or gain weight from eating more than usual.
Have trouble sleeping
He or she may have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.
Sleep too much
He or she may sleep longer than usual and not want to get out of bed in the morning.
Appear restless or do things more slowly
He or she may appear restless or move slower than usual in doing everyday tasks.
Feel tired
He or she may just not have the energy to go about everyday tasks.
Feel worthlessness or guilt
He or she may feel undeserving of anything good or feel responsible for having done something terrible.
Have trouble thinking
He or she may have problems concentrating and/or making decisions.
Think about death
He or she may think that life is not worth living or make a plan to take his or her own life.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: Manic Episodes2
Someone in a manic state of mind may…

Feel unusually great
He or she may feel in possession of special qualities or abilities, extra power, importance, knowledge or ability.
Sleep a lot less
He or she may feel that “sleep is a waste of time,” feel rested after a few hours or just not feel tired at all.
Talk too much
He or she may feel pressured to get out thoughts, to talk faster or more loudly than usual.
Mix up their thoughts
He or she may have thoughts coming so fast that it’s hard to keep ideas straight.
Be distracted easily
His or her attention may be drawn to little, unimportant things.
Set new goals
He or she may launch into several new projects.
Take risks and go to extremes
He or she may do things that could be considered “risky” or unwise. Examples include running up credit card debt, making gambling bets, and even having casual sex with strangers.
Fidget more
He or she may be unable to sit still for very long or may pace

I was diagnosed as bipolar in 1988. I have been very balanced for many years thanks to education about the disease, medication, awareness of my body and therapy.

How do symptoms of bipolar disorder initially present themselves?

Do they start out with gradual mood swings that may seem nothing out of the ordinary, or are they severe from the start?

Bipolar disorder isn't anything that will start gradually and get progressively worse.You may have a slight case of it but usually isn't a progressive disorder. There are a lot of good medications to help you and if yours is slight you may seek a therapist to help you control your mood swings.Educate yourself on organic or natural ways to help you also. You may be just missing something diet wise that might help you.

I have been diagnosed with bipolar type I, which I understand has hallucinations and is more extreme than bipolar type II. I know the symptoms that every website lists for bipolar- increased energy, decreased need for sleep, etc.for mania and decreased energy, feelings of hopelessness or guilt, etc.for depression. What I'm looking for is individual experiences with this disorder. For example, I get really involved in things like painting, then feng shui, then collecting several different things, then geneology, then physics, etc. when I'm manic. I switch from one thing into a completely different thing and completely lose interest in the thing before. Does that make sense? I know that each person's experiences will vary, but I would like to hear about behaviors besides those listed in the typical diagnostic criterea.
These answers are great. I have to laugh because I can relate to so many of you!

If you have halluncinations - you may have schizophrenia becuase halluncinations only occur during psychosis in bipolar patients.

I hope you are taking something to manage the symptoms even though the medication may not act right away.

What are the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and is Lithium the best medication?

Can Bipolar Disorder affect your ability to hold down a job and do employers discriminate because of it?

The symptoms of bpd are different in each individual. A list can be found in Webmd, and other good medical sites. Lithium is a very controversial medication. Today people with bpd have many choices, that can be made with your psychiatrist. Basically will be on a trial and error kind of way. Some medications might work for me and not for you. I have been in different medications. Good ones, and real bad ones. Having side effects that affected my heart and/or gave me diabetes. You and your doctor will be able to choose what is right for you.
Bpd can affect the way you perform your work. I have a dual diagnose which makes it even harder to hold a job, concentrate and at times keep awake. Some employers are very sympathetic about your conditions and some others don't have a choice but to keep you because they are afraid of going trough a law suit under the disability act.
The more people is inform, the least we will get discriminated.
Here is a good book that every one that suffers from bpd should have and read; "THE UNQUIET MIND." by Dr. Kay Ridfield Jamison. Is like the bible for bpd. It help me trough some rough patches. I hope everything works well, keep in touch.

What are the main symptoms of bipolar disorder?

I'm not looking for different disorders, just bipolar.

Extreme moods. Even when stable "normal" tend to be more emotional that most people

Mood symptoms by category:

Extreme Manic: Hallucinations, don't sleep, wont stop talking, paranoid, very sexually orienated; risky behavior, obsessive about things, extremely creative, extremely emotional, angers easy, many people compare it to someone on heavy doses of cocaine or crack.

Manic: sleep little, spend money like it was water, increased sex need, talks a lot more than usual; emotional, more creative than normal

Normal state: more like most of the general population

Mild Depression: sleeps a lot, bad mood, loss of interest in normal activities and work

Major Depression; sleeps and sleeps, loss of all interests, skips work or school all time, suicide attempts.