by Brenda (Hoppi) Wager

Created on: April 24, 2009

People who have never been exposed to anyone having Bipolar Disorder tend to treat those who are ill with disrespect and try to shame those who suffer from this dilapidating illness as if are a "low class" of people. The person suffering from Bipolar Disorder can not help their actions in some instances.

The extremity of the illness is exhausting for the individual suffering from Bipolar. You may not need much rest when you are having a Manic Episode or feel refreshed after just an hour of sleep. When you are on the low point, depression, feelings of worthlessness and extreme fatigue affects every other physical symptoms in your entire body.

Which came first? Depression or physical symtoms? Hard to tell. When you are depressed sometimes chronic pain is so intense your depression worsens. Same is true when you are ill and have physical pain, the depression worsens. It is a viscious cycle.

A Manic Episode can cause severe physical medical problems. Your heart, kidneys and other organs work harder as the body is being pushed to it's limits. One may have high self esteem, poor judgement, racing thoughts and rapid speech, aggressiveness, agitation, risky behavior and can not concentrate and abuse alcohol and/or drugs. When the Manic Phase is over and the "low" sets in your body is tired and you may want to sleep and then sleep some more and don't care if you ever get up in some instances. Nothing is important. You lose interest in nearly everything you once cared about. It in itself is like being on drugs.

People who are not in the healthcare business do not understand what a person suffering from Bipolar Disorder lives with and how their personality changes. Bipolar Disorder is a very hard mental illness to live with.

When I was growing up this illness was not talked about, and I did not even know about it. It was not known that I had this disorder until my late thirties. I suffered for many years thinking I was losing my mind.

Uncontrolled depression is a very dangerous symptom of Bipolar Disorder and can lead to actual death from suicide. Also, the rate of alcohol and other substance abuse dependence is a know fact for people with this illness.

I know these facts from "experience" as I have attempted suicide 3 times in my life and have abused both alcohol and drugs trying to escape. What started out as fun and social drinking got out of control and caused major relationship and legal problems.

Bipolar Disorder cause extreme highs and lows. One day you will have delusions

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