Bipolar Disorder

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UnsleepingBeauty's Personal BP Markers

From Members of Our Forums, for About.com

Updated: April 27, 2004

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Bipolar Disorder

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Sleep cycle totally unbalanced ranging from insomnia to oversleeping.
Hot flashes when manic. I'm only 27 but would break out in sweats like a menopausal woman.
Extremely cold sometimes.
Drastic changes in appetite from bingeing to involuntary fasting (just not hungry).
Increased sex drive not only when manic, but also when depressed (as if trying to numb pain with pleasure).
Intense craving for carbohydrates at times.
Intense craving for protein at times.
Salt goes on EVERYTHING. I absolutely love salt. (When on lithium, I was glad I didn't have to lower my salt intake.)
At certain periods of time, I would crave alcohol or marijuana more. I now see I was drinking and using weed to self-medicate anxiety/hyper-activity or depression.
Walking a lot ... walking everywhere.
Increased vaginal secretions when manic, even when not aroused.
Obsessive thoughts about my weight or outward appearance for example.
Dressing flamboyantly – "all eyes on me" outfits, eccentric, bold colors, always the most stylish.
Feeling like I'm high even when I'm not.
High tolerance to alcohol at times, but at others, very little can get me twisted.
Suicidal thoughts. Obsessed with death.
Extremely outgoing and extroverted at times - totally comfortable in the presence of others. At other times, totally withdrawn and very shy, almost like social anxiety.
Either very emotional and highly sensitive, or very indifferent and numb to emotions all together.
Very animated.
Exuding sensuality. Always considered very sexy and sensual, even when I went through my super-religious phase and wore dresses to my ankles and was trying very hard NOT to be sexy.
Men are always very drawn to me, even if I'm dressed "scrubby" and hair not done.
Very good intuition. Can read people, even when they try to put on a false front.
Sometimes I'm very evil - cussing out close friends for petty things or minor injustices.
Too freehearted with money. Giving panhandlers $10 when they ask for a quarter. Mind you, I'm a student which = broke!
Rarely finishing what I've started. Dropping out three times since starting college, each time I had no intention of coming back. Again, I'm 27 ... and a sophomore.
Failing or dropping several college classes, not because I'm dumb (extremely bright) but because I felt like it.
Lots and lots of jobs. If the job bored me or I didn't like a co-worker, I'd quit.
Moving around a lot. One year (12 months) I lived in 7 different residences.
Unable to maintain a long-term relationship (average is 4 months). Even my longest relationship (a year and a half) was on and off.
Very intrigued by people and find them extremely fascinating. I like lots of different personalities.