Bipolar V. Schizophrenia?

Question

Which is worse to have? Sometimes I feel like bipolar is worse because of the mood changes but to see, hear and believe things that are not real are so destructive which is schizophrenia.

Answer 1

I would have to say schizophrenia. I have bipolar and as bad as the moods are and the impulsive erratic behavior. I couldn't imagine being able to survive with the voices and images that aren't really there. well others tell you they are not there. I know i would kill myself. I have been round people that are schizophrenic and they said they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemy so ill take bipolar any day. yeah sometimes i feel invincible and think i can do anything but it goes away or doesn't happen when the meds work. schizophrenia. geez. JMO>

Answer 2

Both illnesses have a wide degree of different severities. Hallucinations are not uncommon in bipolar disorder. Often times the two illnesses can be difficult to distinguish from each other. Most people with bipolar disorder have a course that is remitting and recurring. Most have periods of normality. Many with schizophrenia have continuous symptoms, although not always the dramatic psychotic symptoms. Your question is very hard to answer because some people have severe forms of bipolar disorder in which they're severely ill and unable to function whereas many can function quite well. Some people are so severely afflicted with schizophrenia they need to be continuously hospitalized whereas others can function quite normally. It all depends on the severity of the illness.

Answer 3

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can have varying degrees of severity. That is, a person can have a very severe form of bipolar disorder, and another can have very-well controlled schizophrenia. Also, people vary in how well they respond to treatment, so someone who has a really bad condition that responds in an ideal way to medication may do very well.

I think both conditions have similar suicide rates, so I would say people with both conditions suffer a great deal (about 15% suicide rate). People with schizophrenia probably suffer greater cognitive declines. There is so much overlap and diagnosis is so wildly inaccurate sometimes, it's really hard to say. They both are awful.

Answer 4

There is alot of stigma surrounding mental illness.It's so sad because it's an illness just like diabetes is an illness.You have to take medication in order to feel better.People don't ask to be born with mental illness,it's hereditary.It's already in your genes and your environment has alot to do with it too.Some people suffering with Bipolar Disorder also suffer with schizophrenia too.Bipolars also hear voices and are delusional like schizophrenics.Mental health experts have made alot of progress in treating mental disorders.I don't believe that there is a better or worse,I just know that medication can make a persons life functional.

Answer 5

I don't think anyone can really say which is worse. I mean, it depends on so many variables such as the quality of treatment a person is receiving, their support system, the environment they live in, etc. Each disorder has it's own very difficult and often terrible symptoms to deal with.

Answer 6

My friend is bi-polar and when un medicated gets paranoid schizophrenia, he will get so paranoid he won't go home he will sleep in the woods or stay awake for days up to 5 nights in a row, or worse he'll walk in to a strangers house and go to sleep. he gets plumb loco.

Answer 7

You can also be bi-polar and schizo-affective at the same time which is the worst by far. My ex was looney

Answer 8

Bi-polar means you have your head up your butt, Schizo means you're just crazy.

Answer 9

neither.