IS THERE A DIFFERENCE???

There have been questions from newly diagnosed Bipolar's, that ask how it feels to live with the disorder. (maybe not in those exact words, but similar)

It has me wondering.....are there any of you that have been diagnosed, but have been told that the onset of your disease is fairly recent, like within 5 or 10 years? If there are any of you, do you remember how you were before that time? Do you remember being different than you are now? I was formally diagnosed about 35 years ago. I never felt different after the diagnosis. I felt as I always had. I only started feeling differently when I started meds. Ya know, I still don't really feel different. I do notice that I can keep my anger to a minimum...(lol) and cuss less, when I am really pissed. (lol) I used to handle my anger physically. Throwing things & hitting things, ashamed to admit it, but hitting people (husband).

I don't do that anymore, but I still don't feel too much different than I have my whole life. But, who knows, maybe without the meds I'd be in prison for murder or something.

I guess because my mom was BP I always wondered if I was (before I was diagnosed)! I couldn't tell if the way I behaved (also big thrower, hitter and cusser!) was due to the possibility of being BP or if I was taking on traits of my mom!

When I was diagnosed (around 16 years ago) I felt a sense of relief in that now I would be able to "do" something about it, or at lease control the symptoms.

After starting meds I felt like a duller version of myself until I found the right combination. I would never just settle for getting the symptoms under control I had to feel like a functioning person. At the time I had three young girls to take care of and a husband who was deployed all the time.

I'm sure with out the diagnosis and medication I would now be divorced, probably alienated my kids and extended family, and living in the poor house of jail house!

Post edited by: rojomi, at: 05/18/2008 06:37

I was misdiagnosed, and on the wrong course of treatment for a long time so it has just been within that past year that I have noticed any improvement. I have been mostly stable for the past year, with a few blips along the way.

Now, I feel almost like my mormal self again. Though, I am not as outgoing as I was before I got sick. The mood swings are mostly under control, but I still have days when I feel slightly depressed.

Linnied, the chances of remission are very good with the proper treatment and your daughter staying on medications, and living a healthy life. This illness never goes away, but it can be controlled. I wish you both the very best.

DC

My son was diagnosed at 14 and we have had ups and downs...he tries very hard to stay well. They gave him great coping skills at the hospital where he was originally diagnosed.

Rojomi...glad to see your post...I believe that bipolar is prevalent in our society and what we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg...as for the celebrities...they may be doing it to boost careers?? What a way to do that though, isn't it.

I am a cusser and a hitter when I drink...as long as I don't drink I am pretty level headed most of the time. Although, I am still cranky at times...

Post edited by: rojomi, at: 05/18/2008 08:43

for me, it's all about the medication and it always will be. that's ok with me. i'm just grateful that i have finally accepted that and can understand it now.

peace to us because we deserve it...what a vast array of answers. just goes to show you can't lump us all in together like people love to do. we're individuals and experience our illness very differently at times, whether we have the same diagnoses or not. hmmmmmmm. try to remember that all you"normal" people out there...lol. i'm sure that will make a lot of difference.

Now with the medications, while I still have my moods, they are less intense, last shorter periods.. etc..