Concerned….
Question:
I don’t have money for a doctor. I was looking for some general symptoms etc. Just a clue.. a little insight perhaps. At this very moment, I am feeling completely and totally alone. I dont have enough money for a doctor and make to much money for free or sliding scale services. This dilema only makes whatever I am going through that much worse. So thanks anyway.. :-(
X-No-Archive: yes To be diagnosed, you’ll have to see a psychiatrist. Even if you could self-diagnose, how would you medicate? No way to medicate yourself. See a psychiatrist. — HyperBum – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
Response:
Yes I just found it. Thank you very much. And thank you to all who have replied to my post. I have since found many insightful websites to study about mental health and personality disorders… etc.. Unfortunately and fortunately, I am in the correct group. I will start reading the posts and sharing sometimes too. Darla
Thank you for the advice, but I am such a newbie that I have no clue to to get to the FAQ of any newsgroup. I am using Outlook Express 6. I had a very nice person help me get this far.
I post it here twice a week. I just posted it this morning–you should see it as a regular post here. Do you see it? Nancy administrator/creator/moderator alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info (moderated) alt.support.depression.manic.moderated to email me from news groups, just remove the Z.
Response:
Thank you for the advice, but I am such a newbie that I have no clue to to get to the FAQ of any newsgroup. I am using Outlook Express 6. I had a very nice person help me get this far.
I post it here twice a week. I just posted it this morning–you should see it as a regular post here. Do you see it? Nancy administrator/creator/moderator alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info (moderated) alt.support.depression.manic.moderated to email me from news groups, just remove the Z.
Response:
I don’t have money for a doctor. I was looking for some general symptoms etc. Just a clue.. a little insight perhaps.
Contact your County Mental Health office–they can help you get the help you need. Nancy administrator/creator/moderator alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info (moderated) alt.support.depression.manic.moderated to email me from news groups, just remove the Z.
Response:
Thanks Nancy
I don’t have money for a doctor. I was looking for some general symptoms etc. Just a clue.. a little insight perhaps.
Contact your County Mental Health office–they can help you get the help you need. Nancy administrator/creator/moderator alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info (moderated) alt.support.depression.manic.moderated to email me from news groups, just remove the Z.
Response:
Thank you 
X-No-Archive: yes You might be eligible for some form of disability. I am not an expert on this, but try your local Social Security office for some help. I had no idea you were in such financial straits when I made my comments. However, I don’t change what I said, for real help, you are going to need a psychiatrist. There ARE ways to get help and there are also reduced med programs as well. I wish you well. As for some things to read, just go to Google and type in "bipolar disorder" and you’ll find loads to read. As for questions you may have, just post them to the group and you’ll get some input. Take care, — HyperBum – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t have money for a doctor. I was looking for some general symptoms etc. Just a clue.. a little insight perhaps. At this very moment, I am feeling completely and totally alone. I dont have enough money for a doctor and make to much money for free or sliding scale services. This dilema only makes whatever I am going through that much worse. So thanks anyway.. :-( X-No-Archive: yes To be diagnosed, you’ll have to see a psychiatrist. Even if you could self-diagnose, how would you medicate? No way to medicate yourself. See a psychiatrist. — HyperBum Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
Response:
Can you explain your delima? how do you feel and what’s going on? Ask these of your slef. then i stongly suggest you read Kay Redfield Jamison’s "an unquiet mind" and "Touched With Fire: Manic Depression and the Artistic Temperment" and see what happens. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t have money for a doctor. I was looking for some general symptoms etc. Just a clue.. a little insight perhaps. At this very moment, I am feeling completely and totally alone. I dont have enough money for a doctor and make to much money for free or sliding scale services. This dilema only makes whatever I am going through that much worse. So thanks anyway.. :-( X-No-Archive: yes To be diagnosed, you’ll have to see a psychiatrist. Even if you could self-diagnose, how would you medicate? No way to medicate yourself. See a psychiatrist. — HyperBum Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
Response:
Here are the standard criteria as per DSM (diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders). Like people here imply, if you are concerned enough to write to us you should find a good psychiatrist. Criteria for Major Depressive Episode (DSM-IV, p. 327) A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations. 1. depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g. appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood. 2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others) 3. significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains. 4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day 5. psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down) 6. fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day 7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick) 8. diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others) 9. recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode. C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism). E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation. Criteria for Manic Episode (DSM-IV, p. 332) A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary). B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree: 1. inflated self-esteem or grandiosity 2. decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep) 3. more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking 4. flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing 5. distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli) 6. increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation 7. excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments) C. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode. D. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features. E. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatments) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism). Note: Manic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. Criteria for Mixed Episode (DSM-IV, p. 335) A. The criteria are met both for a Manic Episode and for a Major Depressive Episode (except for duration) nearly every day during at least a 1-week period. B. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features. C. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism). Criteria for Hypomanic Episode (DSM-IV, p. 338) A. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood. B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree: 1. inflated self-esteem or grandiosity 2. decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep) 3. more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking 4. flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing 5. distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli) 6. increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation 7. excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments) C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic. D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others. E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features. F. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism). Note: Hypomanic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.
Response:
Someone classifies you . . . that’s how. Or messes around with established classifications like it looks like someone did in your case. You find out what your specific problems are and how they interfere with your life and then you treat them. Screw the classification system. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
Response:
Hi Kathy, Yes and no about the dachshunds. I had 2 boys, but recently had to find them a new home. My user name is a tribute to them. They gave me many years of love and support. I look forward to the day when I can get a couple more. Thank you for the advice, but I am such a newbie that I have no clue to to get to the FAQ of any newsgroup. I am using Outlook Express 6. I had a very nice person help me get this far. Thanks, Darla Darla, I love your user name! There’s a sweet dachshund who kisses and hugs me every morning as I do the carpool for a little private school everyday. Do you have one? We seem to be on a pet thread here these days; write us about yours. You can go to this group’s FAQ list and learn a great deal; it’s a good starting place. Let us know how we can help, OK? Welcome to the group! Kathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
Response:
Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
Response:
Darla, I love your user name! There’s a sweet dachshund who kisses and hugs me every morning as I do the carpool for a little private school everyday. Do you have one? We seem to be on a pet thread here these days; write us about yours. You can go to this group’s FAQ list and learn a great deal; it’s a good starting place. Let us know how we can help, OK? Welcome to the group! Kathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, How do you know if you have bi-polar, uni-polar/manic depression etc…? Is there a list of symptoms that are common? Is there an informative place one can go to research this and find out? Thanks for your help, Darla
