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This might sound stupid..

But I'm just wondering if bipolar disorder is real?
bijouxbroussard · F Best Comment
It’s definitely real. Only the terminology has changed somewhat; it was previously "manic-depressive" which was a bit scarier.
@AntisocialTroll After Mom’s death, particularly on Mother’s Day this year, Sis fell of the wagon, hard. But she went into a facility for treatment and visits from her doctor as well as grief counseling, which she needed (our father and brother refuse to go). So she’s trying to get back on track. Schizophrenia is a whole different ballgame, and I get that. Even as bipolar, my problems have been on the lower end of that spectrum. I’ve been able to work, and live independently for over forty years.
AntisocialTroll · 56-60, F
@bijouxbroussard At least she's trying, schizophrenia meds are particularly nasty when it comes to the side effects, it's gotta be tough for her.

I can't think of a single person I know with schizophrenia in my RL who doesn't regularly go off the meds for that very reason.
@AntisocialTroll Yes, that’s what she has said.

basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
It's a real disorder.
My brother is bipolar, I've seen him suicidally depressed and manic to the point of psychosis.
WhateverWorks · 36-40
Yes, although sometimes people with erratic PTSD symptoms get misdiagnosed as bipolar. Sometimes people with bipolar get misdiagnosed as having depression type disorders or persons with severe bipolar can be mistaken as schizophrenic type disorders.

A bipolar diagnosis is tricky because the highs and lows happen in cycles, so let’s say someone with bipolar gets counseling during a low then once that phase is over they stop counseling. Like clockwork, inevitably they start to feel depressed again then they seek out a different counselor who is focused on helping a client’s depression. The new counselor is unaware their client has a time sensitive pattern of depression and mania unless their medical history reveals it or the client is self aware of their cycles that have been going on all their life. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t pay attention to the dates of their highs and lows, so it doesn’t occur to them to tell the counselor or doctor, “Yeah, all my life I feel freak’n great for about a month then spiral for s month, then suddenly start to feel awesome again”
Pinkstarburst · 51-55, F
Yes, it does sound stupid. It absolutely is a real disease
SW-User
All these labels are iffy, but there are definitely many people who veer back and forth from depression to exaggerated elation.
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SW-User
@SW-User I think that some of them are truly holy people. And there are cultures where they would get the support they need by being respected and honoured and cared for as holy people, rather than by being medicated or hospitalized.
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Penny · 46-50, F
yes it is a mental illness
rosyhills · 31-35, F
I don't understand how mental disorders are diagnosed.
SW-User
@rosyhills I agree. But most people don't go through a cycles of either extremely sad or extremely elated without some kind of moderation in between.
minxy · 46-50, F
@SW-User
It's not as simple as sad to happy.
SW-User
@minxy oh I know it is not that simple. Do you want to add more?
GJOFJ3 · 61-69, M
Yes it is VERY real
Really · 80-89, M
Half the time people on here don't know whether they're talking about real circumstances, or only about the words & labels being used - which is usually an endless rabbit hole.
Juvia · 18-21, F
Definately. My therapist told me it can't be managed without meds. I dated someone who had it and wasn't on meds. I just hope eventually they go that route for their own sake.
cherokeepatti · 61-69, F
They have a spectrum scale and go by patterns of behaviors I believe to determine how high up on the spectrum they are.
cellist
democrat
altruist
rock climber
etc.

which of these are real?
Really · 80-89, M
If very erratic behavior is real there's a real disorder.
Deceased · M
Its all true. The boogeyman is real.
Convivial · 26-30, F
What would make you think it's not?
minxy · 46-50, F
Manic depression, yes.
in10RjFox · M
Many people read about t and fake it .. Those real ones never know or claim to be one.
JaggedLittlePill · 46-50, F
Yes. Very real.
DDonde · 31-35, M
SkeetSkeet · 100+, F
I wonder if obesity is real
Lilnonames · F
Yes i was thinking about north pole and south pole and now I'm bi-polar😋

 
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