Yes I absolutely do - I don't take myself seriously, although I do take my illnesses, my meds and my recovery seriously.

I can even start with the psychiatrists, psycholgists and even psych ward stays to find a lot to laugh about. The behaviours of some clinicians can be so bad, that on reflection, it is definitely laughable - although maybe not at the time. Likewise stuff that happens on the wards.

Yes, the mania too. I worked in a high pressure, deadline driven career for a long time and I can see how manic I was getting projects done. Even at the end of the Financial Year (in Australia that's mid-year), I can look back and have a laugh now at the gazillion completed projects that I would report to my managers. They used to replace me with 2-3 people when I left (but every time I left a job it was a breakdown and I'd recover and start anew elsewhere). It IS funny to look back at that nutty behaviour and see, not so much the success of doing all that work, but that I was a Bat out of Hell!!! Always on a mission.

Um no not really..

I absolutely have to see some humor in it all. With all the crap I put my husband and kids through it feels good when we can laugh about crazy mommy. My friend (also bipolar) and I compare notes about our behavior in a humorous way sometimes. If it was all serious all the time I wouldn't be around to type this reply.

No, the disorder itself is certainly no laughing matter. I'd give anything for my family not to have to experience this with me. Too see my children cry and my husband worry himself to death over me is so hard. The embarrassment and fear of what i do in public leaves me in a panic. But to be able to joke a little about it and see my kids and hubby laugh with me instead of crying with me is my medicine to keep going. I don't mind my husband calling me crazy in a lighthearted manner. I love to hear my children kid around with us. It's also a great encouragement to my 12 year (also bipolar). He's got such a long road ahead of him. This could possibly be what extends his life span one day.

Well said, benjes.

Actually, yes, lesluck - generally, I do. I find humor makes me feel Much better, overall, in the midst of all the Bad things I see with BP.

Today is a little hard for me to laugh through, but normally, Yes. :)

Yes definitely.

It helps to deal with all the humiliating things I have done whilst manic to turn them into a joke.

I even say now that I turn into a Monster when I am ragefully manic.

Beware the Manic Monster LOL.

i try, but i can find no humour in my illness.

According to the Text book I am reading ...given to me by my Pdoc (from his 3rd year in Med school)

Psychodynamic Psychiatry..In Clinical Practice

One of the healthiest defense mechinisims is Humor.....next in line is Paranoia.

Go figure ?

dd lol

I laugh all of the time, and definitely at some of the things i have done. with that, i do not find this disorder funny. i look back in horror at some of the things my brain has thought, scary shit.

yeah, dd - funny. At least they were in alphabetical order.

I haven't found anything to laugh about.....especially lately.

kim, xoxo i pray the weight lifts soon. you deserve it. i wish i could take some of my good feeling and give it to you. but dont know if you would want it... i am a ball of mix lately, waiting on my new meds urg on min i am on top, next min dooming. RUN FOREST RUN!!!

It's all about the Genes, and I have to laugh or I'd cry. Whether it's about me or not.

I have two 'indirect' descendents (is that what you call it when they're related but they're not your Own kids?) in this lovely line of Strange, Undx'd illness: one was asked to run for president (though I don't think he will now), and the other has recently been revealed as a serial killer.

And I have to think, well! At least "I" won't be the one to damage the Presidential campaign!

Laugh or cry, people.