Manic depression: any advice?

Right now I'm in the military and am dealing with many issues, one is my current mental state, I've wondered for quite a while if there wasn't something wrong with me, I have problems with depression, social anxieties and a long list of other shit i can't go into right now. I've talked witha few people who have said that I may be manic depressive so I went ahead and researched it a little on the net. I found one sight that had a test (not one that gave a definate answer, only a psychologist can do this I guess...) that you can take to give you an idea of whether you my be manic depressive or not. Needless to say I scored pretty high on it. I'm usually not the type to worry abouthis sort of thing but a lot of what was on the test rang true to me. Here's a link to the test:psycom.net Now I don't know if the test is able to make any real determination on the matter or not but I was hoping that maybe someone out there could tell me if this test was at all accurate. If it is an effective test can any one give me some advice on what I should do?

bipolar disorder takes a while to properly diagnose i believe. i was diagnosed once (after like a day in the hospital) and the put me on hardcore meds that i didn't need and it kinda fucked me up pretty good. your best bet, i think, is to go into therapy if that's possible for you and have a professional give you an answer.

Go to an actual mental health expert. They can give you a real diagnosis, not some semi-pseudo-accurate online test. If you need therapy or medication, it can be provided to you.

seek *professional* help, the internet and this site are I think too random to give reliable, personalized advice or diagnosis. What I would suggest is that you try to get to a psychologist and not a regular doctor or psychiatrist, since psychologists can't prescribe meds and thus won't push them on you unless your situation is severe enough. But I don't know what your situation is in the military as far as access to mental health services

Online tests are not that accurate.
It took 6 months of psychiatric treatment to diagnose my rapid cycling bi-polar.

Go see a professional

i agree with all of the go see a professional responses. ive suffered from depression most of my life, but medication, for me, wasnt the answer.

dont trust the net, and so see someone You trust. make sure you discuss ALL treatment options, dont just le tthem throw pills at you.

think mabey its being in the military?

good luck

This might be a good place to start as well: Bipolar Disorder Group.

Damn double post!!

[Edited on Sep 24, 2005 by Simon]

see a proffesional

professional help...in the meantime read kafka, then sartre (nausea in particular), then finish with nietzsche...intersperse with crowley.

aye docters can be helpful they may not fix anything but it will at leat help you to keep going

They are. However, it tends to look really bad for the soldier seeking help, and raises red flags up the chain of command.

Hey, I didn't say it was right...

I second this.
I was diagnosed 10 years ago and have collected lots of info on the subject. Almost all of it can be found (in its entirety or links) through the Bipolar group. People in there are supportive, understanding, and full of great advice.
Good luck!

Absolutely. The ins and outs of bipolar are highly complex, only a well versed professional can really peg the demons you're battling. Wrong diagnosis= wrong treatment. Living a functional life with mental illness is difficult enough, theres no need to add to the complexity with incorrect self-diagnosis. I wish you the best.
*hugs*

take an mmpi-2 test (i think that was what its called). its a really comprehensive psychological test that can rank various parts of your personality.

try to plan your chores around the manic stage.

It's an OK test but won't tell you if you're Bipolar or not or how to treat it.

Aren't they supposed to test you for these thngs before you go into the military?

go and seek help...the military usually offers it...they will put you through a series of test and then give you medicine...it helps most ppl

Discount this info, but I think it has a lot to do with someone's current condition in life. For the longest time I was depressed with interspersed moments of happiness. Then I looked at my life and realized I was living a dream that wasn't mine. Sudden and extreme change in life will do wonders for depression. Break out of the routine. Act out of character. Give half a fuck about most things and reap twice the rewards.

If you do get a proper diagnosis, monitor your meds carefully (or have someone else monitor you when you start meds). I have had a recent experience where a friend was diagnosed but she didn't tell us she was starting medication. Her medication was not right for her and she went pretty fucking crazy and ended up losing 3 jobs and moving in with her parents. Just be careful and see a professional that you trust.

Dude, bipolar is nothing to trifle with. It can be deadly. PLEASE PLEASE for your sake and the sake of those who love you, get professional help.

I wish you nothing but the best.

"I have problems with depression, social anxieties and a long list of other shit"

but it CAN help explain those.