Is Bipolar really real?

1. 76

   schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years ago

   I've been told all kinds of things
   that it's not real, that there's no such thing as a chemical imbalance but there has to be...
   What's your take on it?

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      wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      One of my relatives is bi-polar: I can assure you it quite, quite real.  Without the right drugs to keep the chemical balance, this person swings from absolutely manic, where nearly everything is good and the world is rosy to suicidal.  I have seen both ends of the swing, and it's not very pretty.

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      1. 76

         schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         It does suck. I finally got the guts to get back on a med that helps me. At least I learned a lot this year and I feel more confident going ahead now.
         Thanks.

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   2. 61

      Deborah Brooksposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I know quite a few people that have this.. It is very real. They are very suicidal if not on the right medicine.. I agree with Wilderness it is not pretty..

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         schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Being suicidal is horrible. And no church will fix it. Take your meds!! --my advice.
         Thanks dear for your input , love ya

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   3. 59

      wcjones4978posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes it is so real I have a relative who is Bi-Polar. Its sad because if they don't buy into the treatment and counseling it become very bad. Out brust and mood swings. You have to get the right mix of medicine and trust your doctor. Many people have it and live a great life.

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      1. 76

         schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I wonder where it come from. My dad had a lot of angry out bursts....

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   Jennifer Bartposted 11 years ago

   Yes its real dose everyone who has been diagnosed with it actually have it no but the ones who are truly Bipolar will tell you its real and they need help rather it is medication therapy or both.

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3. 86

   Zelkiiroposted 11 years ago

   Bipolar disorder isn't a chemical imbalance so much as it is a synapse disorder--your neurons send conflicting information and that's what causes the wrong hormones to be released, resulting in sudden and often alarming mood swings.

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4. 77

   Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

   SFR,
   Don't let anyone tell you it's not real. It is absolutely real. It is not curable. But it is manageable.
   The right combination of drugs can even out the mood swings.
   I'm a big believer in having a good PSYCHIATRIST who does active med management and can adjust
   the cocktail or dosages as things in life change -- and they do.
   
   The right meds can make a big difference.
   Cognitive Behavior Therapy can also help. If you have a health plan that offers (for example) a group class in Managing Depression, it can really give you tools you would not think to try on your ow.
   
   Final comment. If you feel better and think you don't need your meds, it means they are working. And you should stay on them!!
   MM

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      wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      From limited experience with others with bipolar, that is a major problem.  Many do not want the meds, feel they don't need them, and go off of them.  Whereupon someone else virtually forces them back onto the regimen until it repeats all over again.

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      1. 76

         schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Well thank God, we don't all do that

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   2. 76

      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you MM, you are a good voice of reason! Wonderful!
      Thank YOU.

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5. 78

   Escobanaposted 11 years ago

   Intriguing question! Not so much because I've seen this question many times before and have read the same answers on it many times as well (which are ALL TRUE) but I wonder why you ask.
   
   You have an interest in wanting to know this I guess. People telling you it's a made-up story. Telling you it's a way to have the pharmaceutical industry sell whatever they want to sell.
   
   People who are trying to tell you this, mostly were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, have had bad experiences with meds and their side effects and are very unwilling to accept their diagnose to begin with.
   
   I was one of those stubborn sh*theads and it cost me ten years of my life, saying doctors were wrong, I would cure myself with vitamines and eating healthy food or just taking it a little easier. I WAS WRONG!
   
   I was in and out of mental hospitals, in and out of maniacal and depressive episodes and have been very psychotic because my brains couldn't handle my STUBBORNESS. And yes it took years and years to find the right medication but I got there and now I'm stable for many years.
   
   I write more on my experience in my Hubs. -Why I love my medication?- might be an interesting read for you.
   
   Great question! Hope this helps you out a bit:-)

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   1. 76

      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Gratias!
      Um well I've been on meds for twentyone years but I have often thought about it a lot and thank you for helping me with your comment. ! I will say I was lucky to have a bit of a discovery in the past year, that I have another condition along with bipolar, which now that I know, I can try for find treatment. It's called PMDD, have you heard of it?

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         Escobanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         De nada:-) PMDD? I wonder what it means. Good for you that you discovered something else to be able to treat it. I'm glad my comment helped you out. We are both on meds for a long time I see.
         
         I hope your life quality is as good as mine and I hope you are a happy person like me:-)

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      Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Great post.

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6. 84

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   Yes, it is.

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7. 59

   janesixposted 11 years ago

   I am diagnosed bipolar. I take my meds if I want to function in life, and stay in this reality, although I sometimes prefer the other one.

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   1. 76

      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you janesix. Luckily (not) I have Pmdd too, which is why I've been really btichy and not knowing why. My bipolar is under control, now I need to -be aware of- and treat this Pms beast!

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8. 0

   SaritaJBonitaposted 11 years ago

   schoolgirl,
   
   I've tried going off my meds before and it was never pretty.  When I feel "normal" and that perhaps I "don't need" the meds anymore, I read back through my old diaries and remember how miserable I was.  ::sigh::  I also have PMDD, and Mirena helped me tremendously.  Hang in there!

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