how does someone know if they are bipolar?

I dont really know what you mean by a brain disorder? Since it is a psychological disorder, and by definition that relates to the brain… From your question, it seems like you want to know the cause, and honestly no one has pinpointed the cause of bipolar disorder yet… nor have they exactly defined what is happening in the brain… there’s several theories, I can share those with you if you like…

But ok, bipolar, it’s a mood disorder, and there’s either bipolar I or bipolar II (there’s a bipolar III but that’s not an official diagnosis and it’s set off by antidepressants and isnt relevant here)

First the symptoms of depression and mania and hypomania

Depression Extremely depressed mood state lasting at least 2 weeks. Cognitive symptoms (e.g., feeling worthless, indecisiveness). Disturbed physical functions (e.g., altered sleep patterns, changes in appetite/weight, loss of energy), often referred to as somatic or vegetative symptoms. Such symptoms are central to this disorder. Anhedonia, or the loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Duration is 4 to 9 months.

Mania Exaggerated elation, joy, euphoria 1 week, or less Cognitive symptoms: flight of ideas, grandiosity Physical dysfunction: decreased sleep, hyperactive, rapid speech Duration – 3 to 6 months, untreated

Hypomanic (hypo means below) episode is a less severe version of a manic episode that does not cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning

Bipolar Disorder I: Alternation of full manic episodes and depressive episodes. Average age of onset is 18 years, but it can begin in childhood Tends to be chronic. Suicide attempts are estimated to occur in 17% of patients, usually in a depressive episode.

Bipolar Disorder II: Alternating major depressive and hypomanic episodes

And then we have cyclothymia…

Cyclothymic Disorder: Alternating manic and depressive episodes (less severe depression)

And there is no way to self diagnose or to diagnose someone else with bipolar unless you have a degree in psychology/counseling… Of all the disorders, this is one of the more tricky ones diagnosis wise,(well at least it was for me when we were studying this), and there’s no simple checklist to go through and see if you may have the disorder… If you do have cause for concern, I’d talk to a doctor… Bipolar is one of those disorders that really responds great to medication…

lol, no prob…

dysthymia is a long standing depression, but less severe than major depression, it goes on for 2+ years, can last several decades if no help is sought, also harder to treat… but not really related to the manic part of bipolar so I left it out :)

And let’s not forget dysthymia…(: we got them all covered don’t we ty? Correction from my post—bipolar is NOT a personality disorder. It IS a mood disorder. My daughter was talking to me while I was typing this out, its a wonder it even made sense at all!! Thanks Ty!!!