Bipolar???

Question

If someone is Bipolar (untreated and unmedicated)
If they are just in normal state of Bipolar or a "Manic" state of Bipolar and they were hanging around the wrong kind of people can that make them act 'nastier' to someone they supposedly cared about or loved?

Even though they 'think' the friends/people they are around are healthy and good for them (even though reality they are horrible)....can a person with Bipolar cloud their judgement on that?

Also, is it a symptom of Bipolar....to hear things or see things over a course of a couple years....that they didn't agree with or was against their morals/values and act just the opposite when they go off the deep end or they roleplay it out?? Or could/is that some kind of other disorder?

Answer 1

I wish I knew. I think it is a very complex disease. I have been trying to understand it for awhile, and I can't. I think it's a spectrum disease, meaning it varries in how extreme one's symptoms will be and how well they are able to monitor and keep track of their fluctuation of mood. Some bi polars can keep it together and some can't from what I've witnessed. more of those who can't. They may do things that are out of character during their manic states. It's hard not to get upset with them.

Answer 2

My wife was diagnosed as a rapid cycling Bipolar Type 1 with mixed episodes just over a year ago. She take 5+ meds daily, at least 15 pills total. She was undiagnosed until the age of 40.

In my opinion, the wrong people can definately have a negative impact. Unfortunately, the state of mind that your loved one is in may help draw them toward bad influences. They can become very nasty indeed.

After an episode, a bipolar often feels genuine remorse for hurting their loved ones. The actions and reactions that they have to seemingly meaningless things can be extreme. I was screamed one day for leaving the drain stopper to the kitchen sink on the back splash. The next day I was scrubbing the sink and my wife tore into me because the drain stopper was upside down WHILE I WAS SCRUBBING.

With regard to judgement, Bipolars are known to have horrid judgement when manic. My wife bought an airline ticket to the midwest in January to attend a book signing for a book that she had never read. As her friend and her husband, I have learned to identify the mania when it starts, and keep closer tabs on things. Judgement definately get clouded.

More clouded judgement was the way my wife used to drive, 140mph was not unheard of.

With regard to seeing things, yes it is a symptom. With my wife, her lithium causes her to see shadows that are not there, and hear noises that are also not there. The shadows normally look like a person walking by the window, or a person standing on the edge of her field of vision. This is normal with some medications.

As for morals and values, bipolars usually have a strong belief/ disbelief in god. Most have an interest in religion. My wife is a Catholic who went to church from time to time when I met her. As her bipolar got worse, she went to church more and more. Then, she became a Protestant, like me. Unlike me, she went to that church too. Then after starting her meds, she started to follow Krishna and Eastern religion. The consistant thing was that she was 100% involved and devoted to each religion that she had adopted. Again, this is not unheard of with bipolars.

To help my wife, I built a website this past week that some of her bipolar friends have started to go to. The site creation and maintenance has been a good way to keep her aware of her state of mind. The site is http://www.BpBabble.com if you are interested. The site is still small, but it is helping already.

Answer 3

Plenty of people are bipolar, it is not something you should hide from. The question about whether or not certain behaviors are linked to being bipolar doesn't matter so much from a treatment perspective. Even if its a similar condition as bipolar/schizophrenia/manic depressive, many of the medications are the same. Most commonly doctors will treat you with atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify and Geodon. However you should know that these drugs, especially Zyprexa and Seroquel have been linked to diabetes. http://www.youhaverights.com/dangerous-drugs/zyprexa

Answer 4

Extreme poor judgement can definitely be a symptom of the disorder. The other symptoms you mention are also sometimes associated with bipolar as well, including delusions and hallucinations. A person experiencing any of these symptoms ought to be evaluated by a quallified mental health professional. There are many treatment options available.

Answer 5

I hve lived with bipolar for about 7 years and year being around horrible can make you a horrible person to the people who care about you and love you. when a manic state I find that I could do things that I dont agree with on the day to day basis... like getting drunk in the middle of the day or getting into drugs... The best thing to do when in this state of mind is to takeyourself or the bipolar person out of temptations way.

Answer 6

I have a friend whose boyfriend is bipolar (x now). No one ever knew and when he got mad with her he would tear up her house (picked up the coffee table and shattered against the wall). She spoke w/his mom and his mom is afraid of him he will not take his medicine like he's suppose too.

My friend ended in the hospital when he was on one of his rampages and now he's serving time for what he did.

I hope this gives you an understanging they have no control of themselves and for a mother to be afraid of her OWN CHILD is scary!

Answer 7

I don't think there is a normal state of bi-polar. I had a friend who had it. He did start hanging around some unsavory characters, who definitely exacerbated the situation. You have to understand that a person who is bi-polar is going from one extreme to another, with their moods and personalities often appearing to be those of two different people. This is a very scary disease, and one that could be fatal, as it was for my friend. I suggest you really try and get your friend help immediately, as this is not something they can handle by themselves.

Answer 8

Yes, these symptoms appear for some people, but not for others. Only a doctor or psychiatry can diagnose one as bipolar or not.

Answer 9

Bipolars are clouded by anythng...addictions, people they habg out with. If it makes them feel good, that is all they want to do...to get on a high that makes them feel good for that moment. There is no talking sense to them or rationalizing at all with these types of personalities. Whatever makes them feel good is what they are going to do regardless of who it hurts or regardless of their circumstances or what is moral or not...even if they lived a moral life before the bipolar sessionjs kicked in. My wife is bipolar and is about to lose it all and she just does not care right now. I am sure later in the future....she will care but by then it will be too late. Right now all she cares about is what is making her feel good or giving her the high she wants....which is anohter story....Good luck!

Answer 10

It sounds like your girlfriend, this situation sounds like the same one im in.