Is anyone else out there Bipolar?
By gwendovere
@gwendovere (1279)
United States
6 responses
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I am bipolar. I was diagnosed several years ago after struggling with it for years. I am what is known as bipolar type 2. Are you a one or a two? Type twos usually suffer from the depression end more than the manic aspect of the disease. Yes, I know what you mean about people looking at you differently. I think as more information becomes available though, it will be more widely accepted in other peoples eyes. At least that is what I am hoping. I'd be glad to listen and offer support if I can. Hugs.
@gwendovere (1279)
• United States
8 Apr 07
You're sweet! Thanks. :)
Wow! I didn't know there were Type 1 and Type 2. But I have more depressive episodes than manic ones. So I guess that would make me a Type 2, right?
I read somewhere that 1% of people are bipolar. So you'd think that people would be more understanding. If that statistic is accurate, then basically everyone knows at least one person who's bipolar.
It's funny ~ cuz people don't freak out that much about people who are "just depressed." It's when you throw the "manic" stuff into the mix that people really freak out!
Thanks for talking. It's so nice (and kind of a relief) to be able to talk with others who know what it's like & who have been there.
Did you ever go to a support group that was *just* for bipolar people? I was going to one for awhile ~ but it kind of brought me down. I was the only one in the group who even had a job. So it was kind of depressing to be there ~ Everyone was so sad & seemed unable to deal with life & reality. So I quit going.
Anyway, I'm so glad to meet you. Thank you for sharing this. :)
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
9 Oct 07
hi. i dont know if i am bipolar but i think i am. i get those extreme highs and lows they talk about. the past 3 weeks is a low for me. i feel like nothing and i am constandly tired. yet i cant sleep. what do you experience?
@mithrae (65)
• Canada
9 Apr 07
HI Gwendovere,
I too am bipolar...Bipolar I to be specific...what kind do you have???
I know what it feels like to be alone and feel noone understands what you're going through...so why don't we spend some time getting to know and support each other??
You're not crazy!!
Hugs,
Mithrae
@kevere26 (223)
• United States
9 Oct 07
You're not alone! I have bipolar I disorder/manic depression. I've been put in the category of I because I have mixed episodes (feeling up and down at the same time) and am a rapid cycler (similar to the motion of a pendulum on a clock). I was diagnosed at age 50 and am so grateful for the variety of medications that are available to help with this serious mental health disease. I also see an excellent therapist that keeps me on track. It's very important to have a team to help you (psychiatrist, therapist, social worker). It can be overwhelming to manage things by yourself when you're not feeling well. The looks that you receive are nothing but ignorance on the part of the person who thinks you're crazy. Someday I hope that mental illness will be looked at in the same way as heart disease. How people can minimize a person's brain function is beyond my understanding when considering the suffering experienced by not having a mind.
@kamokittie (12)
•
26 Dec 07
Oh sweetie, you certainly aren't alone. There are SO many of us out there. I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar myself. I had been diagnosed with a long list of disorders prior to this and they all wrapped up into this one. I can't give much advice yet though. :( Just know that there are plenty of people out there that you can talk to about it. I'm in the same boat right now...just searching for friends with the same illness. You're definetely not crazy.
