Ive never visited this section of the forum before so i'd like to find out more information on it, others peoples stories, previous threads you found helpful, etc. I just happened to wander in here and got to thinking. I'm pretty moody. Most of the time. And I mean MOOOOOODY. I've always joked about being bipolar (even though its NOT a laughing matter). Is there a link between PCOS and being BP? I know we all have pretty screwy hormones unless we have them managed - Which thankfully I do!
I tend to be a hypocondriac (sp?) so i could be worried for nothing... but knowledge is power right? Thanks ladies
I doubt you have anything to worry about...in the BP realm. There is common confusion that Bipolar Disorder means "moody" or "mood swings" and that's not the case. It's not like a rapid on and off switch. Bipolar is really a disorder of extremes. One of extreme depression and one of extreme mania. There are some in betweens like mixed-state etc...but there are so many other factors involved.
Mania involves
(1) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
(2) decreased need for sleep (ex: feel rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
(3) more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
(4) flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
(5) distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
(6) increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
(7) excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
And these symptoms are persistent for at least week.
Which is preceded or followed by a Major Depressive Episode (there may be some "calm" time in between)
(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (feel sad or empty) or as an observation made by others (appears tearful).
(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day
(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
(4) Insomnia or Hypersomnia nearly every day
(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation (feeling slow or lethargic) nearly every day
(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day
(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
These symptoms must be persistent for two weeks.
If you feel like this may be you...then I would suggest talking with your PCP and getting a referral for a psych eval.
Ive been diagnosed as Bipolar and its no fun. All the classic symptoms. I ran the gammet of pills for it.
It wasnt until I got the PCOS diagnosis that I was told it could be from the hormones. When I started the Metformin the bipolar symptoms seemd to fade...it was wonderful.
I havent been on any mood stabilizers in over a year.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 5 days ago and diagnosed with PCOS 16 years ago...
After two years of doctors and support counselors, I finally got the answer for bipolar. One thing to keep in mind is that there are distinct differences between PCOS mood swings and bipolar - the way to determine that is to chart your moods. In my personal experience, my pcos mood swings aren't even close to my bipolar swings and only happen on a monthly basis (pms). Keeping in mind that this is my own personal experience.... Its a matter of identifying and tracking. Its a long process but in order for a doctor to have a good idea of what you're talking about would be to bring in your mood charts for 4 months worth at least.
The more tools you have with you the faster you'll get your answer. Going into the doctors office (like i did) only mentioning the possibility of being bipolar, will have you waiting for appointments and diagnosis for ever.
Bipolar is also one of the most misdiagnosed disorder because there are so many other mental health disorders and symptoms that can be confused as bipolar so be sure you have a doctor who's very knowledgeable about the topic.
But as someone pointed out, just because you have mood swings, doesn't mean its bipolar... so please be sure to check all other possibilities as well. It could be as simple as a thyroid issue.
__________________ Mélanie Gatineau, Quebec - Canada
Age 30
Mommy to Mozart (Poodle x) 5yrs old
Mommy to Kay-Pax (American Bulldog) 1yr old
Diagnosed with PCOS at 14yrs old
Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at 30yrs old
I think the only real similarity between PCOS and Bipolar is the moodiness aspect. But like previous posters have said, Bipolar is more extreme. I think that the term "manic depression" describes it better. You have to have the mania and the depression. Most PCOSers just have depression.
More Info on Signs, Symptoms of Bi-Polar 
