Do you have Bipolar...?
448564
I'm bipolar. The predominant symptom with me is the depression. It is dark, empty and so incredibly lonely. I tried to commit suicide 4 years ago and that wasn't even my low point. There are other symptoms too like anxiety, paranoia, social anxiety, ocd....I've been married twice (one time for only 3 months) I've claimed personal bankruptcy twice and have moved 10 times over the past 8 years. I maintained a great career for 12 years as an illustrator but lost my job 14 months ago when I went manic and got into drugs like pot, cocaine and ecstasy. Last year I was in a mental hospital 3 times for 1-2 weeks each time. It seems like I've been on every mood stabilizer under the sun like risperdal, lithium, epival, olanzapine and anti-depressants like paxil, effexor and wellbutrin.\nI've been on an anti-seizure med called lamotrigine/lamactil and wellbutrin since January and I'm doing great (knock on wood). Currently I'm back in school ironically to become a pharmacy technician.\nAs rotten as all that stuff sounds I think there is hope for people with bipolar. The most important thing is to not make the same mistake when I stopped taking my meds. The meds are for a reason and when we feel better it's because of the meds and a good reason to keep taking them.\nI've got a daughter and not a day goes by without me praying that she never has to go through the same pain that I've gone through.
1156060
I have it and was diagnosed at age 26.  I got depressed and the bottom dropped out fro under me at 18 and I went for years being only diagnosed with depression.  I never attempted suicide but contemplated it for about 6 years every single day.  There were, however, manic days, where by all appearances I seemed happy to others.  I was ecstatically happy to the point that people had to make me calm down.  But when alone, the depression would immediately return with a vengeance when considered relative to the manic highs.  At one point, prior to my diagnosis, I became so consumed with my own political / religious philosophy that I went for several months in a highly delusional state until the point of psychotic hallucinations after several sleepless nights.  I was hospitalized for the first time after that and they still didn't diagnose it.  Of course I was scared and didn't tell them about the hallucinations, because I feared they'd think I was crazy. They instead treated me for alcoholism - I didn't even drink.  Finally, a couple of years after I got married, I became fascinated with a political idea that I had and began to put it to paper.  After weeks of writing incessantly and causing domestic disturbances, I went to the doctor with my notebook with me and told him that I could not stop writing - I couldn't relax and give it arrest.  At that point he diagnosed me as bipolar and I have been taking lithium and effexor every since, with limited levels of success from time to time.  There are still those moments when I'm capable of making an ass of myself with wild ideas and my enthusiasm for them.  I do not take anti-psychotic medications though as they seem to "labotomize" me and stop my thinking process cold.  I can't deal with that.  I am still highly intensive when it comes to religious or political debate.  Those are my two primary areas of obsessive compulsive thought.  I simply am not able to not think of these things when I "relax".  I can however control the pace with sedatives.  A regular sleeping schedule also helps.  \nWhen I am at my lowest low, sometimes I consider electroconvulsive therapy, but have not yet done it.  It is a bit frightening.\nGood luck, I do hope you find yourself not to have it.  But if so, there are ways to cope and control it to some degree, but I don't believe it can be totally controlled.
545791
You are likely Hypo-manic. I am Bipolar II also. I had very deep depressive episodes and very few periods where I felt normal. I was never happy.  So yes, you can definitely be bipolar and not have manic episodes.\n\nAs a point of reference I am including a link to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is a very good source of information for you. Just click the link below to visit the site. It will open in the bipolar section.\n\nIf you would like more info or just to communicate with me click my name and see my profile. I really hope this clears things up for you. I will be glad to help in anyway I can, just ask.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry
892656
I see all the answers given and there isn't one good one. People with bipolar are not all psychos, they are people living day to day the best they can. They have jobs families and lives like everyone else. There are a few that may cause problems because they refuse to take their meds but I don't see them everyday ruining the lives around them anymore than I see normal people walking down the street.\n\nWhat happened to compassion for your fellow man. People don't ask to be bipolar. Have you ever heard someone bitch about a cancer patient going through treatment? No. Bipolar is a disease like any other and the people that have it deserve the kindness that anyone else does. \n\nSo to answer your question. People are ass****!
396611
I hope that one of the links below will be what you are looking for. I am a 46 year old male who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I know how you feel and that it is good to have someone to talk to. Good luck. I wish you well!
262192
I don't live in the Fort Worth area but I am bipolar. I want to apologize for the comments from some of the people who have answered your question. I don't know them but I'm actually quite embarrassed for them. I think you're doing the right thing by trying to find other people who are bipolar because it's always helpful to talk to others who are going through the same pain you are going through.
420895
I am bi-polar. I take my medication daily and have learned to relate to life without abnormal depression, as in my past. I now own my own business and am very lucrative. Happily married, and life is good now. It took years of Doctor's misdiagnosis' to find the right med for me, but am fine now and proud that I faced it after 9 years of wondering why I felt "different".\n\n"Bi-polar" disease is actually a chemical deficiency in the brain It Is Not A Mental Illness Like People Think..., actually it's a chemical problem and nothing to be ashamed of, I'm not. I do NOT see a psychiatrist, it's maintained by my regular family doctor.\nThe general public is not well educated on this chemical imbalance-it's not mental illness. It's physiological.
507539
I myself am bipolar. I have been in a relationship for 8 years now. My fiance has had to learn the hard way how to deal with my mood swings. He says u have to be very understanding,supportive,and willing to help in time of need. I have abused him in more ways than 1 since we been together,but he justs takes it the best way he can. There are groups that help people with bipolar and for those who love someone with bipolar. Learning all you can about bipolar will help out alot also.
346082
Yes I'm sorry to say Bipolar is genetic. It doesn't have to be from your parents but from someone down your family tree. If you could look up your parents family trees  you will find it.   I am bipolar 1.  I have been dignosed for several years. At first I spent many months off and on in a mental facility trying to understand what happened to me. Now, I am on medicine which helps a lot. I haven't been hospitalized for almost a year now. If you are having black-out periods  or extreme anger outburst then you need to get some help now.
599968
Hey, check out these websites for the symptoms of bipolar disorder. I am bipolar and these are some good sites. Best of luck. I hope for you that it is something other than bipolar.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry
399050
God still heals.\n\nOften in cases that appear to be bipolar, simply doing what's right. . .living for God will take care of it.  I've seen it happen.
574674
My daughter who is now 28 has bipolar.  She was diagnosed in her late teens and was in denial for quite along time.\nShe fought it, tried self medicating, refused to take any pills.  She was a mess.  This is an illness that will stay with you as they have yet to find a cure.  The good news that with the right combination of medications a good support system you can learn to cope and indeed have a good life.  Bi-polar has nothing to do with you not being you- it is a chemistry disorder and that is not your fault.
349708
yes i do. i suffer with severe depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder. i have to take medication.
598254
Hi, have you ever heard of comorbid conditions? It means coexisting conditions. I have bipolar as well as ADD/ anxiety, but bipolar being the dominant. It is not common for people with a chemical imbalance to also have a secondary illness such as mine. My Dr. does not treat the ADD, because the stimulants would not be good for my bipolar. Would be glad to answer any questions just send me a message.
1020617
No, there is borderline personality disorder, and bipolar.
1117594
Your 3rd what?  In any case, some people may make it up, but even then that means that there is still a mental illness at hand. You could have the genetic traits for bipolar disorder within you for years until they are triggered by something and then you need treatment. Mental illness is real. Unfortunately, some do believe as you just said and think it's a fairy tale. I'm here to tell you that it isn't. Those people don't help the situation either. They need an education on the facts about mental illness and what it does to people. I hope that things start to look up for you, keep up with your treatment and don't let the naysayers in.
748996
I have been bipolar for 10 years now. There's alot of info on bipolar,but I will tell you what I know. Bipolar is an embalance in the brain. One minute your happy and nothing can get you down. It's like your high. Then the next minute your so depressed that your crying all the time thinking your worthless and nothing is going to get better and your better off dead. There are alot of good meds out there today for people with this problem, and they help. If you stay on them. Hope this helps.