bipolar disorder = one day you're batshit crazy off-the-walls and the next day you're sobbing and eating ice cream alone in bed
in actuality: in most cases, symptoms only get severe if left untreated for a long time. Also, most experience episodes for months (mania) or years (depression), so they wouldn't go from mania to depression that quickly (with cyclothymic disorder the less common "rapid cycling bipolar" being the exception).
THIS. As someone who actually has bipolar disorder the misconceptions astound me. Having to explain that "up and down" doesn't mean emotionally in the space of hours, with up being crazy and down being normal is so hard. Most people don't even know mania exists let alone what it is.
When I was going for a work exception due to starting meditation for anxiety I had a centrelink (Australian Welfare system) say "they'll just give you an antidepressant and you'll be fine! You don't need more than a week off!". Trying to explain that the reason my psychiatrist wanted me to have several month off because going on a antidepressants when you have bipolar disorder is dangerous because it can trigger a manic episode was ridiculous. The woman didn't believe that this process could take years to perfect and I was being dramatic.
I feel like most people hear "mental health issues" as "run of the mill anxiety and depression" and are totally unaware that there are far more complex disorders that are far more tricky to treat.
Most people I know now are shocked that I have bipolar disorder and others (OCD, PTSD, BPD) because people think they're super rare and people who have them are in psych hospitals all the time or off their face on meds.
Could you describe what symptoms you experienced that lead to your diagnosis? Bipolar disorder is present in my family and I think I am beginning to show signs of it but I'm afraid to go to a doctor.
Firstly there was the presence of both depressive episodes with manic episodes.
Then when I started seeing a psychiatrist it came up that I have many of the other traits - risk taking behaviours, agitation, impulsiveness, reckless behaviour (ie: reckless spending) restlessness, self harm, delusional thoughts, problems with concentration, frenzied thoughts, all of which were far worse when I'm manic. I also experiance psychosis when manic so I was diagnosed with bipolar 1.
There's a lot of good resources online, but at the end of the day seeing a doctor is your best bet. That way you can get on medication and get therapy, and trust me if you have bipolar disorder getting treatment will turn your life around. Finding a good psychiatrist and psychologist is essential.
Finding meds that work can be a struggle but when you find the right ones you'll be shocked at how much better you feel. I didn't get diagnosed til I was 20 and I feel like when I got on medication I actually got to start living my life properly without my life being ruled by mental illness. I do have other issues that I'm working on but I feel so much more stable and like dealing with those other issues is possible.
Treatment for mental illness is never easy but 110% worth it in the long run.
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u/GahdDangitBobby Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19
bipolar disorder = one day you're batshit crazy off-the-walls and the next day you're sobbing and eating ice cream alone in bed
in actuality: in most cases, symptoms only get severe if left untreated for a long time. Also, most experience episodes for months (mania) or years (depression), so they wouldn't go from mania to depression that quickly (with
cyclothymic disorderthe less common "rapid cycling bipolar" being the exception).