No, I would not think that is bi-polar, at least if that is the only type of behavior you exhibit, ie. anger (albeit excessive) about what seems like an unreasonable request.

Bi-polar would normally include irratic behaviour, like gambling your rent money away; sleeping with 10 men in a weekend; or other extremely destructive & compulsive behavior. It's like a roller coaster of emotions, but also includes extreme "high's" and "low's" in behavior too.

Bipolar (manic depression) causes "moods", which effect changes in energy and behavior. The periods of ups and downs are called episodes of “mania” and depression.

A manic attack is diagnosed if “elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms, nearly every day, for one week or longer”.

If the “mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present”.

According to the following site, the signs and symptoms of mania include:

• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively “high,” overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, can’t concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publi...lication.shtml

I would suggest that what you are experiencing is "emotional lability", which is quite common with MS. It can be exacerbated by fatigue, especially.

Cherie

MS can cause Lability of emotions - I anger faster (ask DH), I cry easier, I laugh easier, but events of short duration and intensity and targets. What Manic behavior have you exhibited? Diagnosis of such disorders are a tricky area, while MS and mood swings and Depression happen, a second opinion after more behavior is exhibited would be warrented. Talk to your neuro. In his/her opinion, are behaviors within realm of MS or outside realm. Are they situational or recurring?

((Marissa))
Kudos to you for recognizing this as problematic rather than making a bazzillion excuses as to why someone else was to blame and seeing a Doctor right away.

Can't dx anyone, lol, but it sounds like it could be either/and or/both. I do think it is good that your Doctor took this seriously and started you on meds especially since you have a family history of mental illness.

Hang in there and please keep us posted. I'm so glad things worked out in the end. We needs our jobs.

P.S. have you considered chewing some nicotine gum or wearing a patch at work? I remember when I smoked jonesing for a stogie was enough to make me nearly pyschotic.

I really don't have a problem waiting for a cig. I usually get a break every 2 hours so I get to have a smoke then. Honestly, I should think about it though. I would love to quit smoking. It's so gross and expensive, but for some reason I like it....

Frankly, I wouldn't trust a GP to assess a psychiatric illness, especially if it is this "mild". I would go to a professional; a psychiatrist!

There is also a very active Bi-polar forum at Neurotalk, with some fantastic & helpful members, so I'd suggest you go yak with them a bit too ...

Cherie

Thanks to all who have replied. I also have many times where I will be extremely hyper and giddy. To the point where my boyfriend asks me what is wrong with me. I always blame it on coffee, but I know that if I am in a "down" mood that coffee doesn't affect me like that. I do not have the extreme ups and downs. No gambling money away or anything like that. But I do have a strong urge to drink at times (I've been sober for a year and a half now) never an actual alcoholic, just a young partier. Honestly there are times that I want to spend my money however I want but my boyfriend usually helps bring me back to the unfortunate reality that I have bills to pay and a car to keep moving with gas.

As far as concentration, I have none. I work at that call center and I repeat myself all day long, so I tend to get bored and frustrated beyond belief. Also, Ill be in the middle of saying something and I'll totally forget what I just said because I wasn't paying attention to myself. I zone out frequently into what I like to call "Marissa World".

My doctor explained to me that there is a major misconception of bipolar disorder, because there are many different versions of it, quite like MS. She said there is the mild case, which I have, and then there is the severe case which would be where people gamble, drink, and snort their lives away on mania binges.

I don't really know, but I know that I am not able to control what moods I am in. I have tried really hard for the last year, but I know I just have to keep my job. To do that I need some outside source, antidepressants/mood stabilizers, to continue leading a normal life until I can learn to control it myself.

Once again I appreciate all the comments and suggestions!

Marissa --

My situation is somewhat different. I'd been dx w/ bipolar, although my psychiatrist last said that it looked more like a mood disorder, because it tends to include manic behavior, but not depression.

However, the kick is that it occurs only when I am in an MS flare. Not every time, but just about. And, I generally end up hospitalized in a mental health facility for 1-3 weeks, due to my manic and pychotic symptoms.

It is very frustrating for me, for my family, and for doctors because mental health doctors don't know much about MS, and my MS docs don't know much about mental health issues. In my case, treating me for one or the other has never been effective. I need to be treated with both high-dose steroids for MS and mental health meds.

Sorry to hear about your situation. My mood disorder definitely turns me into "someone I am not". Glad you were able to keep your job.

~ Faith

See a good, trained with MS patients as well, psychiatrist. They can correctly diagnose you and treat you.

I am manic/depressive. It started with rages (blow-ups...things that would have never bothered me before set me off). I was put on Trilafon which has been a lifesaver in this regard.

The manic side occurs and with MS fatigue helps me feel somewhat normal. As time went on the manic side appeared more often making it difficult to sleep for days on end. I would feel on-top-of-the-world; very happy and up. Let me add near the beginning I was put on a low dose of Klonopin to help me sleep at night which too is common with MS.

Poor decision on purchases occurred but with our limited income it didn't amount to much. Have someone else help monitor your buying habits 'if' possible.

So far I am managing as is on the medications I'm on. Lately, MS fatigue has become more of an issue and it has been months since I've been manic, unable to sleep.

Too, let me add I'm on Wellbutrin SR to help with the depression which pops up from time to time.

Take care.

Did you take the MMPI or MMPI-2 tests? I agree with some of the other posters, try to find a good therapist who is knowledgeable about both Bi-Polar and MS(or neurological conditions). Sorry to hear that you lost your cool at work, however, they did interupt your smoke break to come in to a dead zone.

Oh, also want to add it's easy enough to lose your ability to concentrate when you are feeling like you are doing boring, mundane work. Maybe that plays a huge role in your irritability?? Customer service call centers aren't the easiest of jobs...

And also, I think it's great that you are seeking some outside help, where you are feeling like your emotions are getting the best of you.


ADDING: Do you think it's possible that your irritability is caused by some form of nicotine withdrawal? I mean this, if nicotine is such an addictive drug(albeit legal), then wouldn't it stand to reason that the irritability you suffer with is some form of withdrawal? I mean, it seems sooooo quick for you to get this Bi-Polar dx. Just a thought on my mind as I was reading through the NIMH link shared by Cherie.

I forgot to post the info I have on "emotional lability" (or Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)) that often occurs with MS:

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/doc_stor...d_Emotions.pdf

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ges/index.aspx

http://www.pbatrial.com/

My mom had schizophrenia (not MS tho'), and I've witnessed "mild" through to "severe" mental illness. I've also seen what the wrong chemicals can DO to a person, so I think it is very important you are properly evaluated!!

Bi-polar is more common in MS then the general population, but if I recall correctly, not THAT much more common. I think something like 1% of the general population has bi-polar, and 2% of people with MS have it. MANY of us have emotional lability though, and it manifests itself somewhat similar to bi-polar . . . the difference really is how "extreme" the behavior is.

Please get a proper evaluation before starting on a drug such as lithium.

Cherie