I fear I have bipolar disorder. I live in the UK and don't earn enough to see a psychiatrist. What do I do?

I've had severe mood swings that I can't control at all. I'm irritably irrational, and even realise that I'm being so, but I can't seem to force myself to stop doing it and it's seriously affecting my relationship with my girlfriend and parents. If I see a GP, is there anything they can realistically do to help? I can't afford regular appointments with a psychiatrist, so I'm really worried about all this. Any advice?

Shaneris is not entirely correct, GP's can and do prescribe antidepressants, but they do not prescribe mood stabilisers... you need a definite diagnosis from a psychiatrist before they would prescribe them, and even then the psychiatrist/CPN would tell your GP which mood stabiliser and which dose... GPs do not have the training to diagnose and prescribe psychiatric medication.

It is also likely that if you do have bipolar you may be prescribed an antipsychotic, again GPs do not prescribe these.

You need to see your GP; they can refer you to mental health, and it is free. It is also incorrect that you may have a long wait, if your condition/mental state is severe enough your GP can make an emergency referral, if you have a suicidal ideation for instance you may qualify for crisis care.

Do not worry; the psychiatrists are the only ones who can diagnose, and in the UK it is free.

In the UK all NHS treatment is free. You only pay if you choose to go private. So go to your GP and speak to them about all this and they can refer you to your local mental health team for assessment. It will not cost you a thing to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatric nurse who work for the NHS. All you need is to see your GP and get a referral. You will need to pay prescription charges though if you're prescribed any medication and aren't entitled to free prescriptions. There is a waiting list to get seen by mental health teams but it depends on which area you live in. See your GP as soon as possible to get a referral so that you can get on the waiting list and get seener sooner rather than later.

Are you new to living in the UK?

If so then register with a GP in your area.
Talk through your feelings.
You GP can refer you to mental health services (a free service)
So start things moving...

yeah their stuff your gp can do they can refer you to a psychiatrist on the NHS they can prescibe you with Medications called mood stabilizers are used to prevent or mitigate manic or depressive episodes.

Go to see your GP as soon as you can - Mental health care in the UK is free if you are referred by your doctor - it is private psychiatrists which cost money

if you resident in the uk you dont have to pay - nhs

first you need to see your gp and he will start the ball rolling

good luck

Too right the doctors Gps can help there are modern treatment

methods and over time learn to live with it and find fun and purpose

in life.

Sufferer Myself.

Cheers BlueRobbinFlying

Your doctor can refer you to a psychiatrist if he thinks it necessary.

Speak to your GP about this.

GP's can give you the meds but isn't medical care in the UK socialized?

you only have to pay if you go private. just dont go private. no worries. see your gp. xx

A doctor can diagnose, and prescribe mood stabilisers, and provide an appropriate referral, but there is a waiting period. A previous answer follows: See section 10, on bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don't diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise.

Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it. More about this on page R, in section 2.

If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren't good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as Lamictal, or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out "lithium" at http://www.drugs.com/, and http://crazymeds.us/ and always research medications first, there, and at http://www.rxlist.com/ & http://www.askapatient.com/ (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. Personally, if I wasn't bipolar type 1, and didn't experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I'd first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John's wort, and also antidepressants, may trigger mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. I'd aso eat in accordance with my "nutritional type". Enter that term in the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/

If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening. If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication will probably be required. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states). There are various types, and degrees of severity with bipolar disorder, and although many people with the milder versions can get by without medication, using the alternative treatments, those whose disorder is more serious, really would benefit from taking it.

Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at: http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John's wort!). As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them, with their attendant risks, and side effects. Don't use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime. It

dont worry be happy!