I hate the internet for that reason. I hate T.V. commercials that seem to trivialize our illness and make it main stream while that helps in some aspects as in people are less afraid it makes it harder for people like me who have had psychotic breaks and such long lasting mixed episodes that multiple attemps are made w/o telling anyone or writing it anywhere as I really hoped I would not wake up. Or the times I was found and was so angry that they "saved" me. Granted I am glad of it now, but that is what people just don't get.

The other thing is I don't have the spending issues I have the sexual ones, which can be as dangerous if not more so. Sex w/o protection is not a good thing especially when you are married. God, I really hatemyself when I get out of control. I am just lucky it has been a long time since the last!!!

Gosh I got all the symtoms, and more. I think most true BP's fight it. I know I did for years. Had to give in now because it would have killed me. It wasn't even thinking happy or no happy I knew it got to the point of live or die. That's BP.

well you thyroid can cause similar symptoms can it not? , i denied bein bipolar for a long time , my partner and my mum where in talks with my p-doc and i kept tellin them it was them who was crazy , i only get depressed , i never go manic , i thought i was normal n everybody started cuttin trees down at 3 in the mornin when they started gettin ideas, thats only one of the crazy things , but i had a friend who was bp1 and i thought going manic was full blown mania and i have never gone into a full blown mania where i have completely lost touch with reality , it wasnt until i read the book called lovin somebody with bipolar , that i realized , i thought they had wrote the book about me , it still took me a while to accept i didnt want to be "mentally ill" i still havent claimed for disability allowance even though i know im entitled to it , i have never claimed a benefit yet never mind one that says im disabled ,but i will soon the mental health officer is makin me lol, but im glad i know now i can see it all through my life and it has done me well at times , i worked nearly 24 hours a day , i just thought i had lots of energy, i could work , party , keep my house , look after chloe , and redecorate and make crazy things for my house , my mania seemed to last longer than my depression , i just thought i buzzed of life , but since findin out its been quite nice to look back n think well maybe some of the things that ive done that im ashamed of wasnt me , it been more with the bipolar and i also feel like i can get a better grip on it now and control it a little just with the knowledge of it , the last 3 years though it the depression that has taken over with only bouts of mania , a lot of mixed episodes though , do you really think you could pretend to be bp thouugh , you'd be friggin exhausted tryin to keep it up , dont you think x