9 of 19

Excuse

Write now Article Tools

First, of all, I know this article won't be popular with many people that I know and care about. But I have been around so many people that have been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder that I had to share.

Let me start off be saying that I know depression well and I know mood swings as well.

Most, if not all people that I know who are dianosed with bipolar were also very spoiled children who are not used to not getting their own way. Just like a tantrum as a child would get their parents to give in, they then tried that as an adult, only to find that in the adult world, bosses and lovers may not give in the same way. So they act out, making a play out of their "righteous indignation" by walking out of jobs and lovers. It's always easy to come back from that and say it was "the disease".

Do I think there is a chemical imblance, sure. Doctors say its there, who am I to disagree? But I also think that it is much easier for some of us to just blame away a disease rather than work through being spoiled and learning how to take rejection and how to not always be "right". Someone taught me a long time ago to "pick my battles". Until that point, I would react in the same ways that I see bipolar people react.

Do I think the medication works? Yes, but not for the reasons you think. I think you could just as easily give many of them a placebo and they would have the same reaction because they "think" it was working. There was no actual work. And if they ever slip, I've seen the convenient excuse of "I didnt take my medicine" They get to have it both ways, and I resent that.

Those of us who have done the hard work, the work to change the way we react and the ways that we "act out". The power of positive thinking is stronger than we think, we just have to find the strength in ourselves to get better and not rely on a disease as an excuse for our actions. Trust me, it can be done. We are stronger than we give ouselves credit for.

I also think bipolar people are smart. Smart enough to fool so-called therapists be saying the right things. first, to get the medication they want so they can function in normal society when they want to. Then to prove they are getting better so they can "prove" that the meds are working. its a manipulative tactic that we learn as children to get our way.

I was a terribly spoiled child. I admit that freely. I also started down the path that could have led me down the path of saying that I was bi-polar. I have never taken medication for it and I have learned to change the way I think. I am not perfect by any means, I know the mistakes I made and I own up to them. I've done what I have done because I chose to, not because I have a chemical imbalance.

Learn more about this author, Matt Crider.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Bipolar disorder: Illness or excuse??
We want to hear your view. Write now!