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.
Before I was diagnosed, I thought I was going crazy. And then I had a name to it and other people experienced the same thing and I wasn't "crazy" anymore. Through this process I was seeing a mental health worker and when he found out that the paychiatrist confirmed me as bipolar he was surprised. He thought I was just depressed. Through our whole time together I felt like I need to prove that I was actually bi polar. I've since asked for a new worker. Now my doctor says that since I haven't had a clear cut hypo mania episode in a year (which I told him I'm not sure what's hypomania or just me anymore) that I'm simply depressed. And all I need is antidepressants and I'm good. I've been on so many different types of antidepressants. Now I feel like I have to prove to my doctor I'm bipolar.
As is, I constantly struggle to separate my illness from who I am. I constantly am in turmoil. I feel like these people questioning my diagnosis makes me feel like I am crazy. I should be able to just get over it.
Does anyone else feel like they need to validate their bipolar to people or is it just me?
As is, I constantly struggle to separate my illness from who I am. I constantly am in turmoil. I feel like these people questioning my diagnosis makes me feel like I am crazy. I should be able to just get over it.
Does anyone else feel like they need to validate their bipolar to people or is it just me?
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
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...and another day closer to Fall! Tra la la la la...Next month there is a Sasquatch Festival in my city! We're excited to go and get our picture taken with Bigfoot. Really!Have a great day, everyone -
I haven't had to validate my bipolar, but then I'm rapid cycle so off meds I have >8 episodes a year. It's pretty obvious. But just because you haven't had one in a year, or you had a low-grade one (and I do understand having a hard time telling the difference between "Am I just pissed off or am I in a mixed state?!?") doesn't mean you're not bipolar.
Maybe if you just say that bipolar and depression are caused by different source issues, and you are concerned that you treat yourself correctly.
In my opinion, the bottom line is that mental health illnesses do not fit nicely into one little box. Each person is different and each set of concerns has to be handled differently. The diagnosis does not define the person and should not dictate who they are or how they live. For me, I work and deal with my problems with mixed results. Sometimes I am moody and angry and other times I'm goofy and joyful. I work through my problems and manage the condition as best as possible.
Most importantly, having people that are close to you that do not suffer from the same illness that are aware of your problems and can help you identify when things are beginning to go wrong is important. Think of it as an independent 3rd party for "quality control." I say this because I often don't recognize what's going on with me until it is brought to my attention.
Bless you and hang in there. :)
I ask because I was diagnosed originally as Unipolar. It wasn't until my hypomanic moods that it was changed to Bipolar.
It's all so confusing isn't it?