Is my friend bipolar?
I have a friend who I think is bipolar, because a lot of the symptoms fit. She is 13. She can be really happy at times, and during these times, she can be annoying, obnoxious, obsessive and even aggressive. She gets super obsessed with boys at our school, and is always texting me, and talking to me. At other times she is super depressed and gets really snappy and cuts herself off from social interaction. She is a loner at school, and I am one of her only friends. She is suicidal and used to cut herself, I believe she has been to a mental hospital before. She says she hears voices telling her to kill herself, and is friends with a ghost, and that she sees symbols in her head. Whenever she falls into manic depression, she is very unkempt, and doesn't really take care of herself. Also I notice that she gains weight in depression. I know that most cases of bipolar disorder are hereditary, so I was thinking maybe her dad had it, since he said he didn't want any children of his own. So do you think she has bipolar disorder, or schizo, or psycosis, or something like that? If she's bipolar what kind do you think she has? And how can I be supportive as a friend?
Answers & Comments
she seems to either have bipolar 1, bipolar 2 or schizoaffective disorder (shizophrenia and a mood disorder).
The psychosis she's experiencing (hearing voices) is often a part of Mania (bipolar 1) and Major Depression (bipolar 1 and 2) - so if she only hears voices whilst in a manic OR depressive mood episode, then she has bipolar disorder. If she hears voices when she feels 'high' then she has bipolar 1 - if not, she could have bipolar 2 or bipolar 1.
If her psychosis (hearing voices / having delusional thoughts) happens even when her mood is normal and stable - in other words when she isn't Manic or Depressed, then Schizoaffective Disorder - bipolar type is likely. This means she has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Or, if her "high" episodes aren't high enough to be classed as hypomanic, then she could have Major Depressive disorder. MDD cycles like bipolar, and the 'normal' moods inbetween the depressive episodes often seem/feel like bipolar hypomania - but they aren't. She could also have Schizoaffective disorder- major depressive type.
I think she definately has some kind of mood disorder - but which one can only be determined by a psychiatrist. I don't think it's cyclothymia (definately not) but I think bipolar 2 (with psychotic features in the depressive episodes) is most likely. If she experiences hallucinations, between mood episodes, then schizoaffective disorder is likely. If not, bipolar 1 or 2 (type two seems to fit better in my opinion)
The best thing you can do, as a friend, is encourage her to see a doctor about this. Be understanding, and supportive, and tell her you're there for her and you care about her. Try to take her out places when she's not feeling good, and just be there for her :)
The only way she'll get better from this is to see a psychiatrist and get treatment, though.
Sounds like Classic symptoms "of a 13yr.old teenage GIRL...be a good friend & try to be supportive but not to the point where your feeding into Something that May Not Exist!! 13 is really too young to give A LIFETIME Diagnosis?!? I'm Bi-Polar...my daughter between 12-16,acted Very Similar!!! Hormone changes in t/body can do A lot!! It's hard on a young teen, They themselves feel out of sorts & are developing in many ways...weight gain at this age is VERY PROMINENT!!! That's why you hear of a lot of Eating Disorders Start at 12-14!!! Also cutting, because they themselves feel different!!!! DONT MAKE A BIG DEAL TO HER JUST BE HER FRIEND, BE CARING & LET HER KNOW YOUR THERE IF SHE NEEDS A SHOULDER TO CRY ON...U WILL PROBABLY HAVE ALOT OF WET SHIRTS!!! :) But DO NOT SUGGEST THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG W/HER TO HER AS SHE IS PROBABLY FEELING THERE MAYBE AND A FAST"REASON"TO BE IN HER BODY IS A FAST "OUT!",ALL TEENAGERS WANT QUICK SOLUTIONS!!!! MOST PROFESSIONAL DOCTORS WOULDN'T DIAGNOSE HER AT THIS AGE ANYWAY....BUT She'd learn Attention Seeking Behavior, As most young women are very manipulative & it's not that they're trying to be but because it's Now"A Labeling Generation" If you have A Label, There Must be a Quick Fix & that's what most seek at an age Where ALL'S CHANGING ANYWAY!!! P.S. mental illnesses such as Bi-Polar Are thought to be handed down predominantly From The Mother's Side, But as Advanced as We Are...It's a Guinea Pig Disorder w/Trial and Error medicine and Treatment which most medicine has devistating side effects such as WEIGHT GAIN.HAIR LOSS.ETC. Don't put her through anymore than she's already going through just be her friend!!! She's at a LeapHole anyway just being a young woman! Also with Most Class A Bi-Polar symptoms when they get severely Depressed...Weight Loss is a Primary symptom!!! Because being So Depressed you feel hollow, Why bother to eat?? It takes too much energy!!! Goodluck, your a Great friend for CARING!!! xo
The most you can do is be there for her. She will feel down, and seeing that there is someone on her side will help.
If you are worried, try and get her to talk to her GP. This is going to be the hardest stage for her, so maybe if you ask if you could go too it would make the task seem less daunting.
It's going to be a tough time for both of you. Just be with her. The fact you are asking for help for her shows that you care a great deal for your friend. She is lucky to have such a kind friend as you, and I hope that all this gets sorted out.
Good luck and all the best x
Sounds like bipolar disorder type 3.
Sounds like some classic symptoms.
She sounds bipolar but the hearing voices part sounds like schizophrenia.
Very possible. You should consultant a psychologist.