Mood Swings or Bipolar Disorder?

Today’s video explains how simply having mood swings does not automatically equal having Bipolar Disorder. By the end of this video you will have an understanding of the actual symptoms of bipolar disorder and what it means for someone to be in one of the three mood possible acute mood episodes of bipolar disorder:

1: A Manic/Hypomanic Episode
2. A Depressed Episode
3. A Mixed Episode

Watching a YouTube video can never replace the actual evaluation of a qualified, licensed mental health professional. So if you are concerned that you or your loved ones may be having symptoms of undiagnosed bipolar disorder, please seek professional help and don’t rely on YouTube, Reddit, and Google to make life altering decisions for you.

Please like, share, and subscribe if you enjoyed this video.

Thank you for your support and encouragement as always.

~Dr. Andrew Kim MD
Board Certified Psychiatrist

Remember this video is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes and should NOT be taken as personal medical advice. I am NOT your doctor.

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** The information in this video, including but not limited to, videos, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this video channel and its affiliated websites (such as AndrewKimMD.com) are for informational and entertainment purposes only. No material on this channel is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website or its affiliated social media sites & channels. **

**Disclosures: At the time of creating this video, Dr. Andrew Kim M.D. was an independent contractor on the Janssen Speakers Bureau and works as a Principal Investigator on FDA clinical trials for pharmaceutical sponsors. **

[clintparsons]

“You have bipolar disorder. Let’s treat your excessive happiness first.”

[lifesfluff]

hi, so... I get really down on my self for failures or if things aren't going the way I wish they could... so I lay around paralyzed, sad, cry and feel worthless.. but then ill get some encouragement and once I stop wanting to be negative..I get pumped and get happy and confident, sometimes over confident ... until someone says or something happens that makes me think negative and once again I go into depression... sounds similar to bipolar ... but not sure if im getting confused with something simple like negative thinking ...

Thanks

[nicholasgoh]

My psychiatrists have different opinions on whether I have bipolar, depression or mood swings. They are just using a checklist and I can understand that from a medical perspective but I think these mental states are too complex to be put into boxes. Tried all kinds of anti depressants and mood stabilisers but the results have not been satisfactory. Tried counselling as well. I think I have been misdiagnosed and the medication worsened my mental state and destroyed my life.

[alycamacho]

this also sounds so much like adhd, what’s the difference

[stancexpunks]

I’d like to suggest making a video about a topic that I’ve been very curious about for a while now. And that is: the evolution of prescribing benzodiazepines and other sedatives over the past 10-15 years. This has affected me greatly as I have very bad anxiety and situational panic attacks that I was prescribed 2 different benzodiazepines for in 2010. They increased my quality of life 10 fold. I never abused them; I was never addicted; I did not take them daily. My dr vouched for me that he did not believe I was addicted. Then I got new insurance and found it incredibly hard to get them prescribed again. The psychiatrist didn’t even believe me when I told him I was prescribed it by my previous psych. This was like 4 years ago, and now today it’s virtually impossible to get a benzodiazepine prescription unless you’re really old. My life totally went down the drain after I lost those prescriptions (dropped out of college, can’t work, can’t leave the house, etc.). Why do doctors treat all patients the same? I never showed any signs of addiction or abuse. I rarely refilled my prescriptions because I rarely took them. Some people actually really need them sometimes. I am very interested to know the evolution of prescribing this medicine and was it all due to the people that abused them that now everyone else can’t use it? I hear it’s the same with painkillers. Yes, I know these medications are extremely addictive, but I think it should be taken on a case by case basis, and if the patient is showing signs of addiction, then it can be stopped, but if not then they should be able to remain on it if it’s improving their life.

[lauralavalleminvielle]

Love how clear you are. Love the content.

[growingoaks]

You talk about hypo- vs -mania at 5:40 but what if a hypomanic state lasts longer than a week? Is it suddenly not considered hypomanic anymore?

[adamhammet]

Can anxiety and depression have mood swings?

[Ashakat]

You can also loose touch with reality in a manic episode.