A guy at work may be a manic-depressive?

[Swede]

For days on end he's absolutely giddy. Whistling,outgoing etc. A week later he's belegerent,in your face,a fuck-you attitude. I finally got fed up with it and I don't cut him any slack no matter which way he's swinging in.

[Nay]

1. Sure sounds M-D to me.

When he is in the super good mood, does he talk about staying up all night because he has so much energy? Does he go on and on about all the projects he is going to start? Both are big signs of M-D.

[HuckleB]

2. Bipolar is the correct term.

Could be. It could also be an Axis-II Personality Disorder with accompanying depression, among other things.

[Girlfriday]

3. Sounds like he's pretty far gone too

In my experience Bi-Polars don't swing from week to week, until it is really bad. If the mood shifts are that frequent, he really needs help now.

[HuckleB]

5. It's very different in every case.

There isn't a typical "progression" that would indicate he's "far along" or otherwise.

[Swede]

4. Yeah! I never thought of that in context with his mood swings.

He says he never ever gets a good nights sleep.

[MojoKrunch]

8. Tell him to see a GP if he has a thing about "shrinks".

Or at least point him towards the melatonin and St. Johns Wort.

Mojo

[dofus]

10. Problems sleeping

are another component of bi-polar disorder. This is a very, very serious condition. He ought to seek help, ought to be on medication. Medication makes a bi-polar person normal, but it can be extremely difficult to get them to take it.

Patty Duke is bipolar, and she's written about it. Read "A Brilliant Madness". Also "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison, a psychiatrist who herself has bi-polar disorder.

Danielle Steel, the romance novelist, had a son who was bi-polar from childhood, and committed suicide. Suicide is frighteningly common in this disorder, especially in those who suffer from it from an early age. It used to be conventional wisdom among health professionals that children couldn't have it, which is utter crap. I know a young woman (20 now) who's had it probably her entire life, from what her parents have described. She usually resists medication, is very unstable in many ways. She's also brilliant, a phenomenal writer, good at every single subject in school. She rarely sleeps when in the manic phase. Can't get out of bed when in the depression phase. It's a terrible illness.

[TheZoo]

6. Are we working together?

Prolly not - I think I am manic depressive but I'm NOT an "In your face" attitude.

But I think I am, any suggestions?

on edit: Gee, I guess not; I guess I'm not worth it.

[Swede]

17. Do you have a mullet?

Also are you obsessed with cars.

[VelmaD]

19. If you really think...

you might have a mental health issue (like bi-polar) then please seek professional help. Talk to your doctor. If you don't have a doctor then call your local help line. But please talk to someone.

DV

[xJlM]

7. It's a mental illness, man

It's not like he has any choice in the matter. Manic depression, or bipolar disorder is treatable with the help of a mental health professional.

The really bad thing for these individuals is that the treatment doesn't stop. Even when they start feeling better and living in an acceptable manner, if they stop taking the drugs prescribed for them they will quickly return to this disorder.

[MojoKrunch]

9. What really sucks for adult onset Bi-Polar Disorder

is that people get "addicted" to the highs.
Getting them to stay *on* their meds is the toughest part... especially if there is no insurance.

Mojo

[newyawker99]

22. Congrats xJIM!! 400 posts

:toast:

[chookie]

11. Sounds quite possible

The anger and belligerence are also signs of a hypomanic episode, as if the euphoric mood.

While it may be Bi-Polar I, it may also be Bi-Polar II -- which is to say, he is experiencing a reaction to some sort of medicine, most probably an anti-depressant. If you ever get to talking about the sleep problems, ask him if he has ever considered an anti-depressant, and if he says he is on one, well, this may well be what's causing the bi-polarity. As anti-depressants are being more widely prescribed, for everything from serious depression to being bummed about the dirty dishes in the sink, so is occurance of this type of BP.

It's got to be awful dealing with him, but you really can't be thinking of him as you would your average jerk. If he's belligerant and in your face, walk away. Don't engage in conflict. Really, truly -- it is the disease that is talking, not the guy. He is not in control of himself, and doesn't even realize it, which is a terrible state of things.

Doesn't sound like you're friends, so I doubt if it is possible for you to gently suggest he seek some sort of advice. Chances are everyone who knows him is aware of the problem, but as he is just mildly BP, he is functioning well enough to fly under the radar of most detection.

I feel sorry for both of you, and hope this guy gets some relief from the roller coaster.

[Swede]

13. We're still friends,but not as close as we were.

I could not even imagine giving him any advice. It would absolutely ruin that day. One other thing I've noticed; If you ask him about a movie he'll always answer "Britney liked it", or "Britney hated it"
(Britney is his 5 year old daughter). The other guys at work smirk behind his back about this or roll their eyes. Honestly he has never said "I liked it" etc.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

12. It could also be...

coke or meth.

Although, my vote is for rapid-cycling bipolar 1.

[RainDog]

14. Omega three oil

you might suggest an experiment for him, to help him with those lows...which can also help with the highs, which you don't have to tell him. This sounds manipulative, I know, but bipolar people can also be manipulative, and sometimes people can be helped without getting in their faces.

Omega three fatty acids, as in flaxseed oil and fish oil, have shown they are helpful for some people in treating bipolar disorder.

he would have to take the capsules three times a day, and he'd have to check with someone who knows about this about the correct amount needed...I don't want to give the incorrect amount.

It's probably available online.

the traditional course of treatment is lithium or an anti-convulsant like depakote, which are only available after a diagnosis from a professional, which I'm not, though I have lots of experience in dealing with bipolar people/disorder.

there are various expressions of bipolar, including something called rapid cycling, which means mood swings, maybe more than one, within a 24 hour period.

exercise is very helpful with bipolar disorder as well.

if he's not bipolar, the omega three fatty acids shouldn't hurt him, and are good for you unless you're diabetic, from what I hear.

anyway, just passing along things from my own life sitch which might help someone else.

[GURUving]

15. Maybe a female "acquaintance" is playing with his head?

maybe he going through early mid life crisis.

maybe his football team lost big time.

maybe somethings important to him that others don't know about, and he's alternately reacting to it?

maybe he's wacko? :)

[Nikia]

16. Other alternatives

Substance abuse is always a possibility:any illegal drug, perscription drug, or alcohol could be the culprit.
What is going on in his life? This could be a response to unfortunate events relating to something in his life that he feels strongly about. You mentioned how he refers to his daughter's movie preferences when asked about movies. Maybe, something is going on with his daughter.

[DrWeird]

18. It's nothing a few practical jokes can fix.

Trust me.

[Ilsa]

20. So sorry about your friend and the trouble he's having and creating.

Your friend needs help so he doesn't wreck his life, lose his job, get a criminal record (for doing shit like stealing in a manic phase), etc. I hope you can refer to someone who can help. He can't help it, but he needs to understand his disease and how to deal with it.

Good luck.

[sendero]

21. I've been bipolar....

... since my 20s but was not diagnosed until my 40s. Mine is a low level version, probably a 3 on a 1-10 scale, but enough that medication is in order. (I, like most folks with these sorts of issues, convinced myself that I didn't need the meds, but then 2 weeks after stopping the lithium found myself ranting and realized that I DID need the medication).

Of course, now that I've been diagnosed (bipolar II) and spent a lot of time analysing my past behaviors, I know at least 2 and maybe 3 coworkers who were definitely bipolar. It isn't really that hard to spot - although the many of symptoms are not those that many "lay persons" associate with bipolar. Most of the common understanding of the illness focuses on Bipolar I which is somewhat different than the other manifestations of the malady.

In any event, I was on some level very relieved once I accepted the situation. Many times, I had "gone off" on a coworker over something minor then retreated to my office wondering why I had treated a respected colleague so shabbily. I really sucks to not be in control of yourself, yet I suspect that if you approach someone and suggest they are mentally ill you are not likely to get a good reception.

Such is life.