What is Bipolar Disorder and do I have it? Or do I have depression?

I have heard that Bipolar Disease is hen you go from good moods to bad very quickly. This happens alot to me. I can be fine for a minute, then for example I see a certain picture, I start to feel depressed. Then I can look at the sky and all of a sudden feel really happy. This happens alot to me. I dont know if I might have Depression too? I have lack/too much sleep, anxiety, stoped caring, stopped trying in school.

Any advice on what to do or maybe even a diagnoses?
Ps. Im partially afraid to go to a physciatists.

I don't think you have bipolar. With bipolar you will be very "up" for a period of time (days/weeks), may return to your usual state for a good length of time, may then be depressed and go low. What you describe is a very quick change of mood all in the same day. This is not bipolar, actually could even be fairly normal. You look at the sky and feel really happy all of a sudden. Well that happens to some of us too. Then you see a picture and feel depressed. Well that could happen to me! And all in the same day. Seriously nothing to worry about. I think you are ruminating on this point too much.

Moving onwards - lack of/too much sleep, anxiety, stopped caring, stopped trying, ruminating (eg about happy/sad mood swings), that all could be signs of depression, but again to diagnose a doctor would need more specific information. How much? How long? If you are concerned, see your GP. You do not have to be referred to a psychiatrist.

Another thing it could be is health anxiety where you worry that you might have something.

I have bipolar and it causes trouble, I am very very ecstatic and happy for weeks with a very positive attitude/ High sex drive/energy and then I will suddenly turn depressed, cry a lot, sleep loads, moan about lots and become very violent and lose all care in the world- this causes trouble with my boyfriend I can tell you!

Um see a doctor , and don't be afraid of the doctor he's there to help not hurt. and as the othe gentleman said...this really is not the best forum to try and figure out what's going on...in other words leave it to the pros.

Bipolar does not have you swing back and forth minute to minute. You're better off seeing a doctor, not trying to self-diagnose on Yahoo.

I have experience working with the mentally ill and have survived it myself, so hope I can help you with some information, but don't fear the shrinks, they are paid by you so you are actually in control,lol and they are there to help people and not judge you. I recommend a therapist though (at least to start) because a Psychiatrist is a medical doctor and deals with meds mostly, and due to time restraints you get like 15 minutes. You may fear Psychiatrists, but you have other options like counselors, social workers, clergy, etc...In my opinion and experience - you don't want to jump to fast into taking medications that alleviate symptoms of anxiety as it may just cover over something you should deal with. Unless the therapist thinks therapy is not enough, at which time she/he will recommend a doc for you, and if meds are indicated as part of the treatment plan-so be it. As far as a diagnosis, no one can do that responsibly or effectively on the internet. Call a licensed therapist or trusted person to help you locate help, as it takes a while to diagnose properly. I will share my educated opinion after years of experience/research though. OK, minute to minute changes in emotion sounds more like EMDR, an emotional regulation (or dysregulation) issue. You are responding emotionally to objects such as the picture you mentioned or sky etc..Bipolar has little to do with that as it is also medical /chemically related brain ailment-like epilepsy per say along with the emotion part. Periods of mania then depression usually lasting from at least a day-weeks of either hyperactivity, energy, irritability is the mania and you know the depression part. There are other varients such as "rapid cycling" which is faster mood swings but rarely are they only min. to minute. and "cyclothymia" a milder version. However, you seem to be TRIGGERED by something- like a photo etc. Depression is feeling tired, sad almost all the time. Teenage years are full of this- but get some help as I had a similar issue realted to anxiety. (I am now 34 yrs.old though) Certain memories that are repressed will flash into your mind as an emotion in PTSD (post traumatic stress). Example: One child I knew (aged 7-9) had parents who argued loudly over money alot, this made him upset but he kept quiet. one day after seeing GREEN leaves fall from trees at his school -he suddenly became sad and anxiety stricken! over leaves? why leaves? well can you see a connection there. Deep in his buried mind, the green color of the leaves reminded him of the money (green)his parents yelled about and it triggered this seemingly odd or random response. It was not random though, his mind did this for him as a cry for help. Not odd- obvious if one looks deep enough. Had to come out someway. The mind is tricky, so are hormonal changes. You seem to have a valid reason to seek a counselor regardless of wha the diagnosi will be or not be. Since you feel ("anxiety, stoped caring") maybe just discussing this will help you before gets any worse. I am not a doctor but I did attend college for Psychology and dedicated to helping those with mental illness. You are not "crazy" if that is a concern, nor are you alone. Just need some help- life is no picnic and we all get stressed sometimes. Again, don't fear a mental health provider, after all I worked as a counselor and did I scare you? hope not -after all I am a nice person-lol Best wishes and feel better soon! If you need more info just ask. No fear okay, you will be fine once you get to talk to someone.