Bipolar Support Group

Hi everyone,

I participate on another message board for people who have bipolar. I've been a member there for quite awhile and havd developed many friendships.

However, I ran into a situation this morning that frustrated me and makes me want to deny my diagnosis.

I wrote a post to another member explaining that I was an ultradian rapid cycler (since she was too) and explained some of my symptoms.

Another poster tried to incite an argument by saying something to the effect of "Ultra rapid cycling is *very* rare in BPI."

If he had read my post correctly and knew anything about BP, he would know that ultradian (or ultra-ultra) rapid cycling and ultra-rapid cycling are 2 different things even though they are both considered a form of rapid cycling.

After I described my rapid cycling pattern, he suggested that I had either a somatiform or personality disoder based on the fact that I used the example of being depressed about something someone said or did to me or being extremely angry/irritable about a certain situation that occurred.

When I politely but firmly disputed him by correcting his errors (I pointed out that I didn't have somatiform disorder given the fact that I'm not concerned about illness since I'm in perfect health with the exception of a 21 year history of migraines and that I didn't have personality disorder since none of my relationsips were impaired in any way nor did I have difficulty with poor self-image or self-worth).

Here's my point in writing this post: Do any of you feel like some people who don't understand BP (or even those who do) show some resentment (if that's the correct word)towards your diagnosis?

I don't know how many people I've come across who try to minimize rapid cycling by telling me that it's extremely rare in people who are BPI and that I should forget about labels and only concentrate on symptoms.

Have any of you experienced similar treatment from family, friends or anyone else who doesn't seem (or want) to understand BP?

If truth be told, I'm getting tired of people acting as if my rapid cycling is a badge of honor I wear in order to proclaim that my mood swings are worse than the next person's. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reason why I identify myself as such is to meet others with rapid cycling bipolar.

In addition, I find that if I do not explain my diagnosis upfront, I get all kinds of questions about what type of bipolar I have.

If people are going to continue reacting this way, I will just say that I'm BPI and leave it at that.

In the end, I know labels don't matter and that treatment of symptoms does, but at the same time, I can't help but feel like others try to play the role of a pdoc when they don't have the professional credentials to do so.

One of the things I appreciate most about MDJ is the fact that I have yet to come across anyone who has done that.

During the short period of time I've been here, I've never met anyone who discounted my experiences or made me feel inferior for any reason.

I happen to think MDJ is one of those rare websites where people truly care about and support one another. Hats off to Roy and all of the Group Leaders for the wonderful work you do!

I hope that MDJ will be around for years to come because it's where I've finally found a place I can call home.

Thanks, Neon...so glad to hear that you like it here. I know I like you being here.

We have a disclaimer that states that the comments here are not replacement for professional advice. So, if someone comes across as being an "authority" remember they are probably trying to help, but are not a medical professional.

You have been a valuable and compassionate supporter of people since you have been here, honey. I appreciate you.

{{{hugs}}} love ya, sweetie.

Thanks, Norma. ((((((Norma)))))

I haven't met anyone on MDJ who has come across as someone who thnks they are the sole expert on bipolar. I can give you some (actually many) names of people here who have taken the time to help me, answer my questions, offer suggestions or give me a hug when I needed one.

This site is invaluable and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

I agree with Norma. Psychiatrists diagnose. When I post or respond and I am talking about Katy - I give the diagnosis she was given because I think there are so many forms of BP that it might help someone else help me understand. It happened just the other day when Uber pointed out that it is likely atypical psychosis causing her enjoyment of angry outbursts.

I have seen judgement in here. lol. Although, never about someone's diagnosis.

I like the idea where we take what we like and leave the rest. With so many people, from so many places that all have their own issues it would be impossible for any board to not have issues from time to time.

Whatever his issue was Neon, it is just that - HIS issue. Who the hell is he? And who cares what he thinks? Ask him to mail you a copy of his psychiatry degree, so that you could pay him for his expert opinion.

To be honest I stay confused a lot. My wife gets angry with me some because of the BP. She even went so far as to chart my mood swings and I go from extremes of 25 to 35 swings in a day to and average of 10 to 15. My doctor (quack if you ask me) says this is normal. It sure as h#ll don't feel normal to me. My wife knows its not my fault that I can't help it all the time, but it leaves me drained most days and confused. I don't even have a clue sometimes what sets me off and other times its something so silly. I cried during a commercial the other day. One with the little bear and the fabric softner. Why ? Beats me. It must be something common.

thanks bejeweled,

by the way do you still have that credit card that shows you having a MD...??? LOL LOL

Why yes I do. I will never close that account. Ever. LOL!

bejeweled,

This particular site has people whose egos are just as large as the size of Texas. I'm not kidding. What's funny is that after I told this poster that I also experienced auditory hallucinations, delusions and paranoia he quickly changed his tune and said that I probably had schizoaffective to which I responded that I didn't since psychosis wasn't a primary symptom of mine unless I was sevrely manic, depressed or paranoid. Personally, I don't think he believes in the diagnosis of atypical bipolar (or even ultradian rapid cycling for those of us with BPI), but that's okay. Now that I've had time to sit down and think about it, I must say that his perspective was worth a good laugh. I'm sorry, but it was.

TS,

If I were you, I wouldn't go on this board that I mentioned and tell them that you have 25-35 mood swings/day on the extreme and 10-15 when you're "average." They wouldn't believe you. Not that it matters, but still... Sometimes I feel like I'm a small fish in a big sea when it comes to that particular site. I've been researching BP for the past 3 years and had to point out the differntiation between ultradian and ultra-rapid cycling to someone who thought he knew it all. Amusing!

When I see my pdoc on March 9th, I'm going to ask him if he has any information he can give me about atypical BP because I can't find anything on the Internet with the exeption of the 2 websites listed in my signature. If any of you know where I could find resources, I would appreciate it. Thanks!