Quote From: bipolarmum
Hi there everyone,
Interesting stories about BP however, what about the rest of us who have Bipolar, are medicated and live perfectly normal lives.
I was diagnosed 8 years ago and I'm 42 years old. I have know that there was something wrong with me since I was 12 years old and had my first suicidal feelings and sunk into a deep depression. I was misdiagnosed with unipolar depression in my 20's and was rediagnosed with BP when I was 34 and pregnant.
There is a huge population of smart, creative and productive people walking around with Bipolar Disorder. I have a 7 year old son and I have never been mean or violent with him. I might add he is showing early signs of having the disorder himself so he's a handful.
Why do we always have to emphasize the negative, for example the guy who went nuts on the plane who was BP and was shot by the air marshalls because he was off his meds and was acting erratically. I'm not saying they shouldn't have done it but that's what hit the headlines.
Why do we not see headlines like "Man with BP gets promoted to CEO of a Company" or Woman starts a shelter for abused teens despite being inflicted with the pontentially fatal disease Bipolar disorder.
Yes, I actually "suffer" with this disease. It hurts inside every day. I fight daily and sometimes hourly to feel good. I take my medication, I don't act irrationally, I am a great Mother and treat the man in my life like a king, and in turn am treated like a queen.
I don't hear voices or have rages. Sometimes I feel like I want to punch a wall, but I have relaxation techniques I use to make that feeling go away.
This show should have ended with, or followed by a show full of productive people with BP, not to mention the celebrities with it like Jim Carey, Robin Williams and a gaggle of other people.
I feel let down by this show. It means that once again people who know I have this disorder are going to look at me in a different way.
I agree. I have bipolar II. I have never been hospitalized. I am extremely compliant with meds. Have never been suicidal. Have never abused my children in ANY way. Have never lost jobs, gotten into debt. Have never heard voices, been paranoid, stayed up for days or been delusional. Everything I have read and my doctor explained that bipolar II does NOT have those features yet the people you highlighted all allegedly had bipolar II. That makes no sense! I was chronocially, mildly depressed and had GAD for years and was diagnosed bipolar about a year ago - bipolar II.
Yes, I still have ups and downs and it took a while to get the meds. right. I did have rages before diagnosis - apparently getting on Prozac is what made this come to light - my doctor said it was like putting oil on a fire - but these were ONLY with my husband and ONLY in response to a REAL argument or being upset. Again, never at my children and obviously I KNEW it wasn't right to throw things, yell, be mean to him, etc That's why I sought help.
My doctor went to great pains to assure me that bipolar II was not as serious as bipolar I; that I would not be hospitalized or delusional, etc. When I told her how good I was about taking my meds., she said most bipolar IIs are.
There is already such a stigma attached to mental illness, I wish you had presented more accurate information about bipolar I and II - I believe that even most bipolar I sufferers are not violent, paranoid people.
Just my two cents. But I thank you for bringing these subjects to light.
On another note, do you plan another Relationship Rescue Retreat. Praying my husband "gets it" one of these days.... I could write a book.... :)
(Original Air Date: 03/07/06) Dr. Phil explores the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. This illness takes its victims on an emotional rollercoaster ride -- from elation to extreme irritability, intense rage, or devastating depression. First, Cathy was diagnosed with Bipolar II, 10 years ago and claims she goes from zero to psycho in 15 seconds. Dr. Phil takes a look at the toll her disorder takes on her two boys, and brings the family together for a dramatic moment of emotional healing. Then, during various manic episodes, Fred has stolen a taxi, crashed into a Starbucks, and climbed to the top of a church. He hears voices and believes that movie stars like Denzel Washington and Robert De Niro are talking to him through their movies. Still, Fred thinks he’s ready to move out of his parents’ house and live on his own for good … but should his family let him? Talk about the show here.
