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.

8,884 Members
129,557 Posts
1 Online
Mental Health
/ Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Evaluating what BP DX has meant for you

wiccanwolf1
wiccanwolf1
Over the past 1 1/2 year I have been a member of DS I have seen many people discus how being dx'ed bipolar has been such a tragic and terrible thing in there lives.

For me, being dx'ed was far from a negative thing in my life. All of my life I had heard how "bad, wrong, evil, sick, you name it I've heard it, I was", when I was finally dx'ed in my early 20's it was a relief. I finally had an answer to why my thoughts, feelings and emotions were different than so many people around me. I was no longer a "Freak".

I knew if I had and illness that made me different, then I knew that there had to be a treatment for it.
The road to finding that treatment isn't always easy and there are many different roads to travel but once a person finds the one that works for them, life with BP doesn't have to be negative or a "Death sentence", it is possible to live a fairly happy and peaceful life. ( That doesn't mean there isn't bumps along that road), but even people without an MI live with those.

WW
olenka1
olenka1
Yes agree with you. People find it weird that I work full - time & have bp. I tell them that just because I have bp doesn't mean it defines me as a person or stops me doing things I want to do. I can still have a productive life as long as I stick to meds. & have my support network.
magicsls
magicsls
I remember to this very day the relief I felt when I heard this diagnosis. I didn't know what was wrong with me...I was getting sicker and sicker. I was just happy there was a name for what I had.
deleted_user
deleted_user
For me it was not really a shocker, I was drinkiing heavily and doing bizarre things..I went myself to the pdoc in 09 and got diagnosed, before she said "Your Bi-Polar" I beat her to it. Its been really hard for me. I am taking a NAMI class on the illness and going to therapy weekly. meds dont agree wiht me so its been a challenge.
Autumn111269
Autumn111269
It took me a long time to accept a diagnosis, but then it was like a relief to know why I acted and felt so different from everyone else. I never could understand the emotional roller coaster. Finally knowing what was wrong and getting treatment was wonderful!!! I think I am pretty high functioning and even though it gets me down sometimes or frustrated, I am glad to know.
surferchica
surferchica
Being diagnosed bipolar was a huge relief to me. It explained so much about my wild, crazy, hyper sexual ways. myb guiltb was absolved.

At the same time, I was obsessed with my diagnosis. thoughts of "what does it all mean?" constantly rumbled in my head.

I'm at peace with it now, more or less. I'm even finding peace with borderline personality disorder and PTSD. that is a miracle.

Mental health is a reachable illusion.
jeansmind
jeansmind
I felt that way when I learned i had an under active thyroid....

Not so much relief when I learned I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.... I was in denial....couldnt believe it, but took meds anyway, wasn't on the right meds for a long time....

Its scary...... I have learned to accept my diagnosis, not mad at my mother as much anymore...since I inherited it from her, but at least we have each other to lean on and understand.... my sister has it too.