people who are bipolar?

Question

are there any people that have been diagnosed as being bipolar for a good while now, my question is does things get easier to deal with? like at the moment i am having so many different episodes in such short periods of time and what i am wondering is, does it stabilise more as you get older?
also when you get involved in a relationship, would you think it would be best to tell your partner straight away that you are bipolar or is it best to wait a while??

Answer 1

I have bipolar Type II, which has more depression than manic episodes-- I was diagnosed 7 years ago. In some ways, getting used to living with the mood swings and the medications and their side effects does get easier, mostly because you grow accustomed to it. Of course, that only works if you keep taking your meds and get help from professionals when you have bad episodes.

When unexpected or upsetting things happen in your life, things will get worse, just like they do for non-BP people. We just have to be willing to ask for help.

As for going through a lot of episodes, chances are that you will find a medication or medications that work well for you, and the episodes will not be as bad or happen so frequently. They will probably still happen, though. Stabilization usually only happens when you are on meds and STAY on your meds. I know you feel better after a while, but that's almost always because the medications are stabilizing you! If you stop taking them, you will feel great for a little bit, and then the cycles will escalate again, leading to worse and worse depression episodes. The increasing mania may also lead you into making horrible decisions and mistakes with your sex life, finances and other important areas.

When you start a relationship, you need to consider what you want out of it. If it's just for fun, or if you don't trust the person, you might not want to tell them you have an illness, especially if they are shallow or biased. If you are in it for the long haul with someone, tell them as soon as you realize they are a keeper. And tell them that's why you want them to know!

Your closest friends and family and your partner are the ones who will recognize you're having problems, sometimes before you do, so it's important for them to know about your illness and treatment.

Answer 2

Hi, I have bipolar, was diagnosed four years ago, though have been poorly since I was 17 (now 26). Yes it gets a lot better, especially as time goes on. Things that have helped me are getting the right combination of medication, counselling, learning coping techniques and a bit of exercise. Support groups such as those run by MDF - the bipolar organisation can be very very helpful. I felt suicidal for a long time but now I have got to a point where I really love life. Yes tell a partner, it will help them to understand you and if you are off mentally one day.

Answer 3

Hello Kristin!
I am Bipolar as well. Very much in control now, via the med's I am taking. So yes, life is much easier, moods more balanced, level. I don't think age is a factor, if we have the chemical imbalance in our brain for being Bipolar, it's not going to change. But overall, it is easier to deal with because we will learn more about it. Also, there is great help with the med's now. Research has come so far from how things used to be. And so have medications. If you are have short episodes from one to the other, then you are a rapid recycler, as am I. Once you know you have it and as time, years go by, one can get very in tuned, to know when mania or depression is approaching. By knowing, you can waylay the impact it will have on your mood.
As for being in a relationship... I would wait until you know your in a relationship that's genuine, not going to be over in a month or so. Women have an instinct about this. Let him get to know you, for you... not for being Bipolar.
I wish you the best, on both counts.
I hope this has helped!
Take care, for there is life with Bipolarism! :)

Answer 4

Arr baby, I've been bipolar most of my adult life ( about 15 years ) diagnosed 3-4 years ago (wondered why I was acting so strange up until now lol) It's best to tell someone outright before you get in a relationship with them! If they don't fully understand why you can be the most loving person for a week and then an absolute beast the next, then there will always be problems!
Make sure people know who you are before you enter into any relationship with them, if they don't like it fcuk em'!
We are who we are! When we're good we're the best, when we're bad we're fcuking nuts!

Answer 5

I am not diagnosed with bipolar, but there is a chance I have it.
More to my point: My father in law is bipolar - he was diagnosed about 35 years ago, and his condition has been almost completely stable for the past 20 years. It took a while to stabalise as things were a bit different back then, we know alot more about bipolarity now. You will learn to recognise triggers and warning signs, and it does become easier to deal with.
I am always up front about my mental health problems - I don't go in to the specifics early on, but I do let them know that i suffer from depression. It can scare people off, but they would be scared off no matter what stage you told them at.
Take Care

Answer 6

being bipolar isn't as bad as some make it seem,their are lots of great meds out now that can really help,and their are some that seems to make the episodes worsen,although it is always a good policy to be honest espeacilly in a new relationship,but you dont want the other person thinking your head will begin spinning,or you have split personalities or anything,the best way to handle a situation as this,is to be honest but say you have had some things that have happened that you have had a difficult time dealing with but you are doing fine now. it is not that we are"crazy" or anything,we just have a different way of viewing things,and depending on how you feel about yourself,plays a key role in how stable one can be,it depends on the person as to their recovery.you are the master of your own fate,you can do anything you want to do,you can feel anyway you want to,just dont allow anyone to make you feel sad,or beneath them, i have been "diagnosed" as being bipolar for 10 years,now and i have learned i can change that and i have and you can too!!!!best of luck!-A

Answer 7

Relationships I believe need to be based on fact so tell them straight away. As for stabilising as you get older I think it all depends on who and what you have around you, but usually yes it can get easier. You develop ways to deal with your episodes and knowing and recognising them when they happen can help you to live with them. I suffer with major mood swings and know many people who are bipolar and all of them have there own way. Be understanding of yourself

Answer 8

I was subjected to a lot of emotional abuse when I was a child and most of my growing up years and until recently. I am 30 and have done a major reality check on my life!

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Also, you won't need to sit through years of therapy and rehash all your problems but rather I heard some people feel significantly better after one session. Not only that, but they teach you what to do so you can do these steps for yourself.

I am normally a very skeptical person about things like this, but I believe in this because it makes so much sense with what I've gone through.

Just check out the website below and see what you think. It couldn't hurt to at least give it a try. You deserve to live a normal, fulfilling life without being bi-polar. You deserve to tell your next partner what you've overcome and how you overcame it and show the strength and courage that lives inside you.

I hope you feel better soon! Best of luck to you!

Answer 9

I have a feeling a close friend may be bipolar. He often has really severe moodswings over really little things, and other times is absolutely fine. TBH, he tries my patience a lot simply because you never know he's just going to erupt, or when, or sometimes even why.

He seems to show a lot of the symtoms of being bipolar but just know if anyone would say it to him, he'll probably react really badly. Any ideas?

Answer 10

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 3-5 years ago and am almost off my medication and doing great in school now. It takes a long hard commitment to get through it and in the end you'll be ok. As far as relationships I wouldn't let them know unless they HAD to know. -Honesty- Good luck.