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Are Sleep Paralysis, Mild Depression And Suicidal Thoughts Signs Of Bipolar Disorder?

Posted on Thu, 31 Mar 2016

Question: Ive always been getting sleep paralysis but of late it has increases to 2 or 3 times a week, i also always have had low points as in mild dipression with mild sucidal thoughts not that i would ever do it.
On the other hand extremly impulsive behavior, elaborate plans, day dreaming a lot of it, extrem feelings of hate or love or anger , i often feel that i think faster than i can talk. I took an online bipolar test and scored a 47 out of a possible 50 where anything above 22 is considered bipolar, bipolar disorder also runs in my family I have two uncles who are digionesed and are under treatment .i would like to know if i should see a pscytrist or is it all in my head ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide me more details

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for choosing HCM for your health related doubts

I can understand your concern but would like to tell you that bipolar affective disorder can't be diagnosed by online tests. Proper history and mental status examination is needed to confirm diagnosis. Impulsive behaviour, anger outbursts could occur due to normal mood swings also. I'd like to know if you have symptoms like-

- Extreme mood swings?
- Increased energy, increased cheerfulness?
- Frequent fights with others?
- Inability to listen others?
- Excessive money spending?
- Grandiose feelings about self?
- Reduced need for sleep?
- Increased risk taking behaviour?
- Increased sexuality?

These symptoms are commonly seen in bipolar affective disorder and help in making diagnosis. Please explain in detail about sleep paralysis also. Have you ever fell on ground followed by injury due to sleep paralysis? Is there any family history of sleep paralysis?

Even though your uncles have bipolar even then this doesn't mean that you will develop bipolar. Yes you can have some traits that can be treated with behaviour modifications. Please provide me details in free follow up. You can visit a psychiatrist also to confirm the diagnosis.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Hello doctor,
Reguarsing the symtoms

-i do have mood swings but they aren't sudden theyre gradual they occur maybe 2 or 3 times in one day or it may take much longer than that
-I have tremndous amonts of energy and i am extremly cheerful when i am happy
-no fights, only with my family memebers but i would think that to be normal
-yes exsessive, impulsive money spending,
-Yes doctor gradiose feelings are present at the same time i can be very insecure depends on my mood
-very high risk taking behavior i tend not to see the negaive side to anything
- yes doctor very high sex drive And the same time i can lose complete interest.

No doctor i have never fallen on the ground but i have the feeling of breathlessness in ability to move feeling of being awake and paralysied this all accopanied by night mares its almost traumatic doctor but i have gotten used to it in a way

no doctor no family history of sleep paralysis..

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think you have bipolar disorder.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up and providing details

The symptoms you have mentioned like increased energy, increased money spending, occasional grandiose feelings, risk taking behaviour sometimes but at the same time there is insecurity, lack of interest in sexual things etc. These symptoms though are part of bipolar but are not resulting in any social, personal or occupational dysfunction. There are no significant fights with family members and more or less your social life appears to be normal. I don't think this can come into bipolar affective disorder though a proper evaluation is needed at least once. The feeling of breathlessness could be occurring due to some anxiety and probably not due to paralysis. Sleep paralysis is a different thing and usually individuals loose muscle tone during sleep paralysis attacks and thus get injure themselves commonly.

So just to remain on safe side you can go for psychiatric evaluation but I don't think you have bipolar disorder.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Still have doubts please ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Thank you so much doctor :), its just that my impulsive behavior has gotten me into alot of trouble espicially over the last couple of months that coupled with some depression and the slepping thing led me to belive that maybe i was bipolar and since i am takinig some business risks i just need some re- assurence that i wasn't.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are not suffering from bipolar disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

You are just 23 and its common to see impulsive behaviour at your age. A lot of individuals at this age develop anger outbursts due to poor communication between themselves and parents or friends. This is more commonly seen in asian population. Similar behaviours are also seen in western population but at relatively younger age. This can't be labelled as bipolar disorder. Try to divert your mind and keep yourself relaxed. Spend your time in outdoor games and this will help to channelise your energy. So just remain assured you are not suffering from bipolar disorder.

Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (41 minutes later)

Awesome thanks :)

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
Thanks take care. Wish you a good health.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar