I am bipolar. Those of you who also have this disorder have you experienced?

Question

been just fine in one moment and suddenly you are trigured into a fit of anger and shortly after you snap right out it. Then I would expect that every one else who was involved would simply forgive and forget and continue as if nothing ever had happened.

What is your opinion? Is this part of been bipolar? I am just beginning to learn about my disorder that has been with me for many years. I realize now why most of the good things have come and gone.

I need to learn more about my challenge so if you can please share your opinions or expierences with me?

Gratefull !!!
JCB

Answer 1

I am not bi-polar, but I have lived with people who are (in fact, I'm currently married to one).

Remember that bi-polar is characterized by severe mood swings caused my chemical imbalances in your brain. It is primarily a biological problem, though your environment can aggravate it. Sometimes you are high and happy and can take on the entire world. The next thing you know you are so low that everything makes you sad or angry. This can happen over time, but it can also cycle very rapidly. So yes, it is quite common for people to have fits of anger, though often it is depression instead. I've had my wife get upset over the smallest of things so suddenly I didn't know what hit me. The key is recognizing when the problem is bi-polar, and looking for the signs before it blows up on you.

It causes a tough situation. When you are bi-polar, you don't want to live your life as the "bi-polar person," no more than a blind person wants to just be known as a blind person. But it is a fact of your life, and you have to contend with it. That means educating yourself on the subject and sharing that information with those around you, most notably your friends and family. The more they understand, the easier it is to come up with strategies to deal with it, and the easier it is for them to look for the signs so you can get help before something extreme occurs. I, for one, have learned to do my best to identify when my wife is upset because of a concrete reason, or if it is bi-polar. It is not fair to blame everything on bi-polar, but it is also unfair to blame a bi-polar person for an episode they have no control over. So I do not take anything personal when my wife acts out because of bi-polar. I simply suggest that she contact her doctor.

All that said, you can't excuse all your actions. There are some things that are wrong, no matter the cause, for example, physically harming someone. It is very important that you treat your bi-polar and stick to the regimen. You have to keep your communication with your doctors open at all times. If you feel a change to your moods, talk to them. See a therapist if necessary to create real-life strategies for dealing with situations, but sometimes you will just need to adjust your medication. You CAN function almost totally normally in society, despite bi-polar disease. It has no cure, but you can beat it in spirit and action.

I might add that my wife has been very successful in dealing with bi-polar. Her ability to learn as much as she could and make sure I had the necessary information and support myself has been a big help. Our relationship is very strong, perhaps even because of the dreaded disease. Unfortunately, there will be bad days for the rest of your life. but you can beat this thing. 350 days or more out of the year my wife lives a comfortable, normal, and productive life. She is happy. The few days when things are bad are only temporary. Even so-called "normal" people have bad days, so don't feel bad about it. Use this obstacle to motivate yourself, and you will have something to be really proud of. Good luck!!

Answer 2

YES!! This is a HUGE part of the disorder. I was diagnosed and have been on medication for being bipolar for about a year and a half. I went through EXACTLY what you are describing.
I would get into arguments over something small, it would balloon way out of control and before I knew it I was saying hateful, hurtful things but I didn't care. And it was like I couldn't even stop myself. Afterwards, I would feel so incredibly guilty about it.
Other times, it would be like you described. I would go into an episode and after it was over, I would expect people to be fine because I was now.
I am on Effexor and Lamictal. They put your emotions at a more rational, normal level. They just take the edge off and give you more of a sense of normalcy.

Answer 3

My son is Bipolar level 2. Just diagnosed. He is taking Geodon 40 mg. in the morning and 80 mg. at night along with the Bi-Polar he is ADHD and he is now starting Stratera for that. Hope these meds work. He is very much like you and some days I want to knock his block off but I bite my tongue and wait for the episode to run it's course. It is very difficult to deal with him sometimes but now we know what it is and I have been reading everything there is written on it to help him (even though right now he tells me I can't help him that I have no idea what I am doing and he knows Everything-He's God). Hopefully the medication will help that as well. You are not alone and you do really need to see your doctor.

Answer 4

That happens to me sometimes. When I was first diagnosed I changed like that a few times a day and it felt like what the sun looks like going down in the evening. It felt like the light draining out of my mind and I could feel the depression(darkness ) going up. Weird can't explain it well. It is 15 yrs later and I still remeber that feeling. But theses days I do not go up and down hardly at all with or without meds. It has slowed down drastically for me.

Answer 5

Wild mood swings, irritability, and impusivity are part of having Bipolar Disorder.
The best book I have found is, "Bipolar Disorder for Dummies". I covers everything you and those close to you need to know; symptoms, treatment (it covers all the latest medications and psychotherapeutic interventions), and prognosis.

Answer 6

I'm not bipolar, but my daughter is. And yes, she is very much like that! Is there a support group you can join to talk to others with the disorder to help you? Call NAMI and see if there is such a group near you.

Answer 7

Why haven't you seen a medical professional? If you had, you would be treating the condition with drugs and informed knowledge of your condition. Time to see a doctor friend!