Is this just some way for the drug companies to sell drugs, or are people who are bipolar more inclined to abuse drugs?
2006-09-17 15:38:54 · 6 answers · asked by Dee 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I think bipolar people might be inclined to use drugs to achieve that manic feeling. That' when they feel like they can do anything, and they get a lot accomplished. Then they hit that depressive stage, which sends them so low they use drugs to feel good again. I'm not a doctor, obvioulsy, but the cycle makes sense to me.
2006-09-17 15:48:00 · answer #1 · answered by tsopolly 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many people are diagnosed wrong! Most people who abuse drugs and alcohol are diagnosed with bipolar afterwords. It is the addiction that makes us that way and the meds keep us that way! I have done this for over 20 years thinking that I was mental and it was a bad diagnosis. I have been in a 12 step program and able to get off most medication. I am just fine now getting ready to ween off the Lithium, the last of the psychs med. I have never been this healthy in my life!
I think the problems lay with the doctors just not knowing the difference and not caring enough to explore the real reason behind the addictions
2006-09-17 23:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by warandpeace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are DEFINITELY more likely to abuse drugs. It is a method of "self medication". However it's hard to diagnose in people who are drug addicts because of the effects of the drugs they abuse. I do think bipolar disorder is too quickly diagnosed in people. But I wouldn't doubt that a lot of drug users are bipolar because it is a very difficult disorder to cope with for the person with it.
Also medication for those who are bipolar is pretty much necessary. I am not the kind of person that advocates medication in someone who doesn't absolutely need it. But this is a chronic disorder that can ruin lives for those who don't keep it under control. People who are bipolar who take medication are believed to live years longer than those who don't. It's also been shown that bipolar disorder can cause death of brain cells over time due the the chemical imbalances. medication is believed to prevent some of this.
2006-09-17 22:51:36 · answer #3 · answered by prettyinpunkk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who are bipolar and have other mental disorders are more likely to 'self medicate' with illegal drugs.
2006-09-17 22:41:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
actually no. many bi-polar people(not myself) try to self medicate themsleves to try and stablize themselves and their moods. it is definately NOT a fun thing to have. also if your manic you have little control over what you do ina manic cycle. you can't sleep and do manythings that "normal" people" can.
even though I have never been addicted to drugs or achol I find that i get addictied to the internet or playing video games or other things like that. even reading books to bring myself into a place of some form of normality. it is hard to explain when you are not there yourself.
2006-09-17 22:43:46 · answer #5 · answered by no 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think it is true that people that are undiagnosed with a mental illness do, try to self medicate and end up addicts. Not all , but some.
2006-09-17 22:42:48 · answer #6 · answered by Rachel☺ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋