My girlfriend's husband is reacting very strangely, he's irritated, doesn't sleep, can't go to work, thinks that whatever he does is wrong, thinks a lot, doesn't listen and thinks that is nothing wrong with him, but my girlfriend is in very "fragile stage" and she needs to know what is really happenning with him.  She can't write to you herself because her husband doesn't want her to talk to anyone or go on the internet.  He just doesn't think that there is anything wrong with him and that's the problem, because he even doesn't want to see a specialist.  I really want to help her but don't know how, so if you would be able to say if the symptoms are indicating that he has a bipolar disorder.   I would really appreciate your help in here.  Thank you very much for reading my email. 
All the best


Dear Ms. M' -- 
Could this be bipolar disorder? Yes.  Is it?  Can't say for sure.  There's a questionnaire your friend could complete, then take that to his doctor (e.g. a primary care doctor) with her concerns (the doc' doesn't have to respond, can't do so in the U.S. without a "release of information", but at least then your friend would know that she's passed the concern along to someone who might be in a position to do something about it).  She can learn more about subtle forms of bipolar disorder on my site about Bipolar II, in case that applies and gives her more to go on.  

Dr. Phelps