Would this be bipolar or just teenage mood swings?

Im 16, and have really bad mood swings. I don't know if its because im a teenager or what!? Just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how I could tell the difference.


I go from suicidal thoughts, self harm and deep despair and depression and about 1/2 weeks later Ill be so happy its unbelievable, dancing along the street singing to strangers and feeling like life cant get better, then it goes back to what I said before after 2 weeks.


Any ideas?Would this be bipolar or just teenage mood swings?
It may be due to hormone changes.. and being a teenager is not that easy.. a tough time for most.. but you should definitely seek help by going to talk to your parents about this.. and tell them you would like to tell your doctor about these mood swings.. every teenager has mood swings but yours are extreme.. and they go up and down drastically so you definitley should go and have some tests done to be on the safe side.. because your mood swings are really very sudden and very dramatic when they happen.. so go and seek medical advice first.. your doctor will be better able to tell if this is due to hormones or if this could be something more serious and the fact that you think about suicide when depressed and cutting yourself definitely is reason enough to see the doctor and tell him about this.. and maybe a good idea would be to get councelling.. because suicidal thoughts every other week without a reason and then the world is sunny again.. that I believe is something the doctor should know about.. Don't be ashamed to confide in your parents and the doctor will help you and decide with you if councelling is a good idea.. I believe it would only help you..Would this be bipolar or just teenage mood swings?
No, that doesn't sound like normal teenaged mood swings. The extreme swing from deep depression to intense happiness is exactly the meaning of ';bipolar'; -- that is, moods that are the polar opposite of each other. Bipolarity is a very serious condition and needs to be addressed; speak to your doctor or a councillor at school as soon as possible to see if you do, in fact, suffer from manic depression (bipolar). Your doctor will be able to provide you with proper resources needed to manage the condition - ie. medication, referral to a psychiatrist, or support groups.


Please seek help immediately.
i doubt you're bipolar, teenagers are just really dramatic. but if you think you might do some serious harm to yourself, i think you should tell somebody and get a professional opinion.
Could be bipolar or depression. It's definitely not normal. I was the same around that age (hormones make the moods worse), and I have been diagnosed with depression.
Could easily be bipolar. See a psychiatrist: The internet is an unreliable place, so don't take anyone's answer too seriously.
i have a lot of friends who see therapists.....it seems to be quite the fashion now which is kinda worrying.


I suffered a mental breakdown last year...my family had fallen apart and my grades were slipping. Suicide seemed like the perfect option to me. On the outside i seemed hyper, funny and happy, but when i would get home from school i would shut myself away. i thought i was the only person who felt like this.


Eventually i saw a therapist. I was put on medication which made me even worse. She told me that everyone feels down, and that i suffered worse because i didnt know how to handle it. I finally realised that there is a place in the world for everyone and that i shouldnt consider other peoples problems so much when i had my own to deal with.





i suggest you talk to your parents about things and when you feel down, honestly tell yourself that it will all work out. Surround yourself with people who make you happy.





as i have grown up things have gotten a lot easier....i understand what triggers my depression and have learned how to control it. you just gotta find out what makes you feel like this.





I have a history of bipolar within my family and there is a lot more to it than just moodswings......





i hope this helps just a tiny bit..there was a time when i cudnt see a way out either!





:D