What is wrong with my family member?

[Cenerentola]

I am wondering about one of my family members. She has always been the type to be very "high strung" or depressed. Sometimes she is normal and relaxed, and a delight to be around, but most of the time she is either "high strung" or depressed.

 

A friend of mine thinks she is bipolar or manic depressive. I am starting to look more closely and am wondering if this may be the case? Don't know if there is anyone on here with any experience in recognizing symptoms.

 

When she is "high strung" she drives people crazy, and makes you breathe a sigh of relief to be away from her because she causes you to feel stressed out around her. She is snippy and overly dramatic about things and complains about having to take care of normal every day life issues (cleaning, etc.) I asked her today if she had thoughts rushing through her mind very fast and at first she said yes but then when I questioned her she acted as though she took back what she said and brushed it off.

 

She also gets depressed a lot. Then she will talk about wishing she could die and how she has nothing in life to live for and she will lament her life and the lives of those close to her and just be so down and miserable to be around.

 

She can be perfectly normal, but that does not last long. The slightest thing sets her off, usually into being "high strung" or depressed, and her moods are so unpredictable.

 

I have never seen her go into a real "manic" phase, but my friend said you can still be bipolar without exhibiting real mania. Her husband took her to a psychiatrist years ago who tried to put her on medication but she refused and the doctor finally said her husband needed to accept that he was married to someone who was very high strung.

 

I am wondering if she is just "high strung" or possibly bipolar? If there is anyone who has experience recognizing the signs, I would be most appreciative to hear from you. She is not the type who would ever go to a psychiatist or psychologist, as people have tried to get her to one but she denies having any problems at all.

 

Thanks!

[KenzieAbsolutely]

i know you are probably looking for a better answer here, but no one can really give you one. is it possible she is bi-polar? yes. is it possible that it's something else entirely? yes.

 

only a doctor can figure her out for sure, and only she can make herself work toward fixing the problem.

[JHS]

i know you are probably looking for a better answer here, but no one can really give you one. is it possible she is bi-polar? yes. is it possible that it's something else entirely? yes.

 

only a doctor can figure her out for sure, and only she can make herself work toward fixing the problem.

I agree. I had a friend whom I thought was just moody - turns out he was a crack-head. Not suggesting this in this family member's case but the possible causes are widespread.