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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Self Diagnosis

ReginaPhalange
ReginaPhalange
*breathes*

Sorry if this turns into a bit of a rant but I'm so annoyed right now, I've just wrote a journal entry about this in more detail but I wanted to share this.

What are your opinions on self diagnosis? Does the internet make it easier for people to convince themself they have things such as bipolar? Without seeing a psych can you be diagnosed? Am I right in thinking that you need one episode of mania at least before bp is considered?

I'm sorry for so many questions all at once, I'm just so annoyed at the amount of people I'm constantly meeting who are depressed and suddenly turn round and say things like 'Well it's ok to be depressed because I'm bipolar'

I don't think half of these people understand the illness. I had one woman tell me she didn't realise she was bipolar until in a severe depression she threw something. I sort of laughed to myself and thought you have no idea
deleted_user
deleted_user
it's like if you ever read a medical students textbook....you're like...bubonic plague-that explains everything!
It does bug me...because misdiagnosis does detract from those who have real deal.
deleted_user
deleted_user
oh, yes the episode of mania thing is traditional...but in US now it seems you can self-report 'yeah, I was really high' and get dx. Instead of being clinically observed in a manic state...all very strange.
ReginaPhalange
ReginaPhalange
Have you ever put your symptoms into a search engine? I once discovered I have lupus, cfs, a thyroid disorder... the list was endless. I thought no wonder all these people just believe they have certain illnesses. I get so mad, as they take up all the health care resources by imagining illnesses
deleted_user
deleted_user
haha...I'd scare myself I think ;)
ReginaPhalange
ReginaPhalange
Doctors are just trying to make things easier for themselves, well ok you say you're manic have some drugs, saves me doing some work
deleted_user
deleted_user
drug companies are making a pretty penny on bipolar meds, trust me.
ReginaPhalange
ReginaPhalange
Can you really convince someone by studying someone else though? My symptoms would be totally different to say yours, so if I suddenly went around acting like you it'd be fake and surely people would pick up on that?
deleted_user
deleted_user
abilify did this ad campaign with a shopping list of symptoms for bipolar...are you bp...do you sometimes go on shopping binges etc...it was really lame.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When did I say that?
deleted_user
deleted_user
"YOU'RE all raving mad.You'll see..after I'm dead ! "


Anthony Hancock, from 'The Rebel'
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't know you...I think this was from the unmedicated bp thing...like I said, I don't know you.
ReginaPhalange
ReginaPhalange
The shopping binges makes me laugh, I think most people I know have done it at some point, they can't all be bipolar, just had a sudden urge to shop more likely
deleted_user
deleted_user
Not good to self-diagnose because there may be a medical reason besides bipolar that could be causing their symptoms. They need to be diagnosed by a professional.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
well I self diagnosed at the age of 47, spotting something that various psychiatrists, doctors, therapists had missed. I then went to several psychiatrists and said "what do you think?" They thought I was bipolar.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Having BP is a terrible disorder to have. Why anyone would imagine they have it is beyond me. I hope they DON'T have it. I hope someone in the psychiatric community recognizes they have something else. No one would WANT this disorder. peace to them all, teresa
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