Can people with bipolar disorder lead normal lives? How can you tell if someone is using it as a crutch?

Question

I have a cousin who is bipolar......he has tried every treatment in the book it seems like. Nothing must work for him because he is 43 still lives with his parents and has never had a job.

As another bipolar individual to another, should he be able to function better than that?

Answer 1

Most of the time I lead a fairly normal life but only because I stay on my medications. Even then though, I will still suffer every four to five years from such severe depression that I cannot work or really function at all for several months.
Nobody that has this wants to use it as a crutch. We just want to be like most other people and be accepted for who we are.

Answer 2

The Arizonapenguin said it well. To Joe6packAM., an MRI of someone with Bi-Polar Disorder will show that it is a bone fide condition. You need to do some research before you shoot off your mouth. With a combination of medicine, counseling, and determination, people with Bi-Polar disorder can lead normal lives.

Answer 3

Sure they can, there's a lot of normal people with this disorder. A lot of people with the disorder are very successful. Good luck. 2D

Answer 4

the ones i know are very manipulative and definately use it as a crutch.....anytime things get rough, they really turn on the their acting skills. and quite frankly, i don't care to be around either one of them.

Answer 5

I'll get ample thumbs down for this but bipolar disorder is a crutch for poor upbringing.