Bipolar Self Assessment: Do I Have Bipolar Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder affects an estimated 2.8% of adults in the United States over the age of 18. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder than men and it is estimated that about half of those affected begin experiencing symptoms before age 25. The condition can be managed with proper treatment, but it requires ongoing attention from a qualified mental health professional to prevent relapse.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings. It can cause episodes of depression, where a person will feel hopeless and low in energy, as well as high mood periods called mania where the person may have excessive amounts of energy, be easily distractible, and engage in risky behavior. Bipolar disorder is usually treated through medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and support groups.
It can be difficult to tell if you have bipolar disorder since the symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways. However, some of the key signs are extreme mood swings, changes in energy level, difficulty sleeping, and periods of irrationality or irritability. It’s important to speak with a qualified mental health professional if you think you may have bipolar disorder so that they can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Before Taking this Bipolar Disorder Self Test
This bipolar self-assessment is designed to measure how you have typically been feeling and behaving over your life. To ensure the most accurate results, those taking this questionnaire should be 18 or older with at least one reported episode of depression. However, it’s important to remember that only a qualified professional can provide an official diagnosis – use these questions as supplemental information in understanding yourself better!
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This is Only a Bipolar Self-Assessment
Please note, this quiz is meant to help you determine if you are experiencing any symptoms related to bipolar disorder. This is for informational purposes only. This test is not meant to replace the expert diagnosis performed by a mental health professional. If this self-assessment indicates you may be experiencing bipolar disorder you should seek a professional opinion to provide you with a clinical diagnosis and treatment options.
Other Questions About Bipolar Disorder
Though there is a genetic component to bipolar disorder, it is not always inherited. For those that do have a family history of bipolar disorder, their risk increases but does not guarantee they will develop the condition. However, if a person has experienced childhood trauma or other life stressors, their likelihood of developing bipolar disorder increases.
Medication is a cornerstone of the treatment for this mental illness, so it’s important that you take the medication as you’re prescribed. You’ll find that therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes can also help you manage the illness. You may be able to take less medication over time (if your mental health professional recommends it).
It can be difficult to know how to support a loved one with bipolar disorder. Here are some tips that may help:
- Try to maintain a regular and predictable sleep schedule.
- Monitor any triggers or mood shifts, and talk about them openly.
- Develop an action plan in case of a mood episode.
- Provide emotional support without trying to “fix” the problem.
- Encourage your loved one to attend therapy sessions and/or take medication as prescribed.
- Offer help with daily activities such as grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, or running errands.
- Reassure your loved one that they are not alone and their condition is treatable with the right tools.
Contact Adler Health Today!
If you believe that you or a loved one may be experiencing bipolar disorder please reach out to our team at Alder Health. Our team has been helping people overcome symptoms related to bipolar disorder and we can help you as well. Contact us today to get the help necessary to manage these symptoms.
