How can i tell if i have bipolar disorder?

feeling irritated and i snap at people - then i carry on as normal and i feel justified in doing it. i feel that i need to be in control all of the time. I'm careless with my money and spend every last cent on myself to feel good. I believe that i know best and my decision is the only way to go. I can't sleep at night, i have too many negative thoughts running through my head and i need a stiff drink to help me go to sleep. One minute i'm not thinking about sex and the next i'm doing it three times a day. I prefer my own company and hate mixing with others - i constantly feel judged and every body thinks negative thoughts about me. I have been severely depressed in the past and it has lasted up to three years. sometimes i even confuse myself with how i am feeling and others around me - sometimes my outbursts confuse my family and they tip toe around me for a while. One minute i'm feeling good and the next life sux. not sure what to do - could someone give me advice?

I am bipolar.. here is some facts for u..
Depression might be identified by:
Refusing to get out of bed for days on end
Sleeping much more than usual
Being tired all the time but unable to sleep
Having bouts of uncontrollable crying
Becoming entirely uninterested in things you once enjoyed
Paying no attention to daily responsibilities
Feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless for a sustained period of time
Becoming unable to make simple decisions
Wanting to die
Mania might include:
Feeling like you can do anything, even something unsafe or illegal
Needing very little sleep, yet never feeling tired
Dressing flamboyantly, spending money extravagantly, living recklessly
Having increased sexual desires, perhaps even indulging in risky sexual behaviors
Experiencing hallucinations or delusions
Feeling filled with energy
Some people think that they are just "over their depression" when they become manic, and don't realize this exaggerated state is part of the illness - part of bipolar disorder. A person who has depression and mania is said to have Bipolar I.

In addition to Bipolar Disorder I, the American system of diagnosing this disorder also includes Bipolar Disorder II, which involves symptoms of hypomania instead of full-blown mania.

Hypomania - a less extreme form of manic episode - could include:
Having utter confidence in yourself
Being able to focus well on projects
Feeling extra creative or innovative
Being able to brush off problems that would paralyze you during depression
Feeling "on top of the world" but without going over the top.
Hypomania does not include hallucinations or delusions, but a hypomanic person still might exhibit some reckless or inappropriate behavior. A person who has moods of depression and hypomania is said to have Bipolar II. Source(s): http://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/0...

I don't think you have bipolar disorder, but you do need to see a psychiatrist. My sister used to have some of the behaviors you are describing, but only during menstration. She has been taking Lexapro and all those problems have gone away. I don't know if she ever got an official diagnosis, but I do know that her and her husband are much happier now.
Im not a doctor so i cant diagnose, but this website www.webmd.com can give you symptoms of this disorder. If you feel you have many of them you should consult your physician.
It's a disorder that doesn't exist. Stop giving into a preconceived notion that because you have mood swings you are bipolar. Once someone is unhappy with them self and they hear a T.V. advertisement for depression/ Bipolar and they hear the symptoms they think; that is me, that鈥檚 how I feel. They start to identify with the Ad and because they identify with these feelings they start acting them out. Advertisements that are on T.V. for Depression are made to appeal to a large audience.

If you went to your Doctor and said I think I am Bipolar or deeply depressed they would have their prescription book out before they find out what the real problem is. They get a lot of kickbacks from these types if drug companies.

Become aware of your actions and changing them.
If you start to think negatively about someone start to think about something you like about them. For example, If you start to think, "That Sarah *****, she is so ******* selfish, she is a manipulative midget. Or Allison, she is out to get me, she is always trying to make me look bad, she is ugly and she has a big ******* ugly wrinkle on her face." Once you notice you started thinking like this stop Make yourself re-think why you like them, "Sarah is so freaking funny, Allison is always there for me, she has pretty eyes." Think anything that is not negative. As small as here hair looks nice today. If you think more positive you will act more positive.

It sounds like maybe you are unhappy about something going on in your life. Something is stressing you out and you are taking it out on everyone else. I think you need to find a healthy way of relaxation to release these hostile feelings. Take up a kickboxing class, it will help you get your aggressions out I promise.