Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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does abuse and BP go hand in hand

deleted_user
deleted_user
Is this one of those what come first questions.

does abuse go hand in hand with BP.

I have a 3 inch medical file to the age of 12...All injuries inflicted by my mother. The only bones she never broke were my jaw and my skull...I grew up being told I was stupid, I was never going to be anything, she bought me into this world and she was sure as shit going to take me out and her favourite was just because Im your mother doesnt mean I have to love you...Physically and mentally she did some damage...Sexually well she had friends for that...

I grew up being aware of the fact that she hated me. I was a mini housekeeper, cook, babysitter and I use to take the blame so that the younger kids didnt get beat...

I have spent my life working hard to proof her wrong, I am somebody, I am something and I am intelligent. I made who I am, but she did have a part in it. I got to where I am by luck...I never planned on being anything when I grew up because I didnt think that I was going to...I lived everyday until she kicked me out at 12 believeing that one day she was going to kill...Poor me nope not poor me much to her disgust I made it and I am a great person, I just had to fight a little harder than some to make it...
so the question remains do BP and abuse go hand in hand...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Unsure interesting to do an analaysis. I was abused my life partner to and both BP . I have found that a physical trauma followed by an emotional one often triggers full blown BP or its growth Mine was car crash then burnout at work My nephews was being beaten up and then breakup of relationship. there must be data out in cyber land on this
tommymott
tommymott
There are plenty of BPs who don't abuse or experience abuse, and plenty of non-BPs
the same. I think there are other factors involved.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have never abused and would die before I did. I dont think it is a primary factor but was wondering other opinions or experiences
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was abused as a child, but I'm not sure this plays a role in my bipolarity.

I can't say I abuse people myself, but mentally, I am quite selfish and manipulative.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I feel for you, I went through the same shit as a child till the age of 15 when I left home.My Mom finally admitted she was ill and got on meds. I love her cuz she gave life to me, even though with BP it's a screwy life, yet hate her for the abuse. Hugs to you, you are not alone ...OOOOOOOO Judy
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks Judy...I love my mum bcause she is my mum but I dont like her as a person...she has major menatl health issues but has rarly done anything about them...She just gets them under control and stops taking all her meds again...
deleted_user
deleted_user
*cries*

Can not fathom the devistation of those experiences.
So very thankful you are posting in here. You've covered some excellent topics and said so many valuable things.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was emotionally abused - first by my father and then by my ex husband. Both told me I was useless and other variations upon that theme. I have also suffered rape.

Personally I think abuse of any type can be a trigger to BP, and it certainly re-inforces negative thinking which can make it worse. Maybe that is why CBT is so helpful to those with BP and abuse issues.

However, obviously not all beepers have suffered abuse and not all abused people have BP. It is just one factor among many. And no, I have not and never would, abuse anyone else.
deleted_user
deleted_user
thank you Orb...needed that just then...Im a tough cookie...little soft in the centre sometimes but tough all the same...
And all in all it wasnt that bad some have suffered far worse or not been lucky enough to make it at all
deleted_user
deleted_user
Maybe as bipolar runs in familys, a lot of parents may have been undiagnosed, not in any way making excuses for abuse, there is none, I got the tee shirt for that too and there is no excuse, but there may be something in that.

But maybe, and this is a terrible thought, but maybe there is more abuse in the world than we realise and on an honest place like this we all open up.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Fazer, I think you may have something there - horrible as it is to think it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree Fazer this is not a question I would ask my RL friends...My mum was abused as a child and said that is why she did it...Well sadly so too was I but my kids walk all over me...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Untreated BP I could see where that would make for abuse as we tend to have lowered impulse control and if our impulse leads us to do nasty things then maybe that could be part of it. It in NO WAY makes it excusable though. My father Abused me for th 7 years he was around. And I am positive he was undiagnosed BP.

The 12 year old that is staying with me this weekend is BP and she was sexually abused.

Does BP make us more open to Abuse? Or do we just simply reveal our abuse more readily then a non BP person due to our inhabition of emotions?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jon my dad used the same excuse he said he was abused by his brothers and a neighbor boy and there for was why he abused me....

Then he said in basic words that it was ok for him to blame his problems on his abuse and justify abusing me on his abuser but that I needed to get over it and stop blaming MY abuser for my problems.... Turns out I can even blame my BP on him... go figure
deleted_user
deleted_user
Im wound pretty tight...I show emotion easier than I use too other than rage I found that one easy, but any other emotion I find hard...I have rarely cried as crying wasa sign of weakness in our house...rather than crying I cut...I started as an emotional cutter the only way I could feel anything and then it went further...I dont cut anymore and havent done for some time...I dont blame my issues on anyone but I wonder if my up brnging has some to do with it...
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