How is bipolar diagnosed?

Before I go into symptoms I feel it important for nobody to self diagnose themselves. People can have periods of time where they have of these. Don't assume you are bipolar! See your doctor if you are curious. This is just to help you understand where those of us diagnosed are coming from. I don't have ALL of the symptoms, but I had enough to be classified as bipolar.

SYMPTOMS OF MANIA OR A MANIC EPISODE:
*A long period of feeling "high" or an overly happy or outgoing mood.
* Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy or "wired"
*Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts.
*Being easily distracted.
*Increasing goal-oriented activities such as taking on new projects.
*Being restless.
*Sleeping little.
*Having an unrealistic belief in one's abililties.
*Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable activities that are high-risk, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION OR A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE
*A long period of feeling worried or empty.
*Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
*Feeling tired of slowed down.
*Having problems concentrating, remembering and making decisions.
*Being restless or irritable.
*Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits.
*Thinking of death or suicide or attempting suicide.

There are different and more detailed criterion out there but this one is pretty comprehensive. If you know someone suffering from this I hope you now have a better understanding of what they are going through. It sucks people. If anyone has questions they would  like answered I would be happy to look into them.

*National Institute of Mental Health

I PROMISE I HAVE A FUNNY STORY COMING UP!!!! :)

The stigma

When I was first diagnosed with bipolar back in 2009 it was like a wave washing over me. I FINALLY knew why I was the way I was. I FINALLY had an answer as to why I could go 10 days with no sleep and still function. But, no matter how good I felt having a diagnosis, I was worried about the stigma. I had always thought of bipolar people as being a little nutty, so if you feel the same way don't feel bad. I am a little nutty. LOL
Turns out I was on the wrong meds and had been given the wrong bipolar diagnosis but that is a WHOLE other scary story for a later post.
Bipolar is a chronic illness. I will have to take medication for the rest of my life and keep a constant sleep journal to assure my symptoms are at bay. It is hard because if I had diabetes people would sympathize, but because I have mental illness people want to stay away. Maybe it's all in my head. So far, I haven't lost any friendships due to this.
I can function just fine. I can work, I am an awesome mom and wife (well I do my best), I have supportive and awesome friends who have been nothing but there for me since I told them. The purpose of the is blog is to educate all of us as to what the disease is, how to live with/support someone with the disorder, and to support others who are suffering as well. I am really putting myself out there but I figure f I can help educate one person to get help, or allow one person not to feel alone in this, throwing out my pride will be worth it.