by Milly
(London)
What if you are not sure if you have Bipolar and you're scared that you don't want to know anyway? I took that test (on here) and got most of it except for the last part. I don't know what to do and I don't want to hurt any body.
Ben's Answer:
The Bipolar Test on my website is only a first impression - not a diagnosis. If you answered yes to most of the questions, then it is very important that you get further evaluation by a qualified (that means someone who really specializes) in treating Bipolar Disorder and other mood disorders. Doctors and therapist who do not usually treat Bipolar disorder may not recognize these symptoms at all.
If you don't go down the road of further professional evaluation, but you know you have these symptoms, then the other thing to do is to take care of yourself in the ways that are recommended on this site for Bipolar treatment and self-help. Doing those things can only help - even if you don't actually have a real Bipolar Diagnosis.
The Alternative Bipolar Treatment page lists many of my recommendations for self-care.
When treated early,
Bipolar symptoms can usually be minimized and you can often keep the illness from getting worse. If you simply ignore your symptoms and don't take good care of yourself, bipolar symptoms can get much worse. Not to scare you, but no matter how bad you think it is now - it actually canget much worse. Each time a person has a manic episode, it paves the way for another one down the road (actually makes the brain more vulnerable to another episode).
Take Care,
Ben Schwarcz, MFT
Santa Rosa Psychotherapist
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