We Are Not Manic We Have Bipolar Disorder

The stigma for a mental illness is enormous and even in this era of modern technology it still haunts the mentally ill. Bipolar carries a nasty stigma with it because of its former name, manic depression. Mania definitely sounds crazy even too me, and I don't know if bipolar depression will ever be just bipolar illness as long as mania stays in its definition.

I have yet to figure out why they don't define bipolar 1 sufferers as experiencing periods of extreme highs which is often seen as doing things on impulse without thinking of consequences, like overspending, unsafe and excessive sex, chemicals, gambling, quitting a job suddenly, and saying unkind things with no regret. A bipolar 1 has extreme highs which are usually brief but very intense and depressive lows which can last for weeks and months or they cycle very rapidly as in days or hours. Bipolar 2 sufferers experience a very deep depression which is often misidentified as major depression but bipolar 2 depression is extremely low when compared to when their mood is elevated.

The elevated mood is often seen as their functioning level instead of a slightly elevated from normal. Someone with bipolar 2 may not even realize their mood is elevated slightly more than normal The depression can be so devastating you can't even get out of bed, and the hopelessness and helplessness make you wonder if life is really worth all of this mental pain.. Bipolar disorder also affects, memory, concentration, appetite, sleep patterns, and self-esteem. Additionally, bipolar disorder has been linked to anxiety and health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, migraines, and high blood pressure. It really is not known for sure if any of these affects are caused by the medications we are prescribed or if it is coincidental.

Some bipolar sufferers figure out how to live very normal lives. Others like myself have learned to live makeshift normal lives in that we live as normal of a life as we are able to but still need disability. Then there are those who are desperately searching for a way to manage their illness. This is very positive believe it or not if they're able to hang in their long enough to find medications, skills or both to manage their illness. They'll have a great chance at a normal life. Lastly you have those who like the highs so much they don't want to do anything about their illness and for those my thoughts are with you especially when you hit the lows and start coming back up.

Bipolar sufferers knows that it isn't the extreme depression that will kill you because you don't have enough energy to take your life. But, it is when you start coming back out of the depths that you are able to find the energy to kill yourself. Regardless of how you choose to treat your bipolar the word mania or manic doesn't need to be in the definition or descriptions of what bipolar sufferers experience. Let's get them removed.

Nowhere in my definition do you find mania or manic it isn't necessary. It's time to rally together and get manic and mania eliminated from the definition of bipolar 1 and 2. We really are not crazy, just people who have a mental illness which can be managed whether by medication, therapy or self awareness.

Patty Hauer
http://iambipolar2.net/
Diagnosed with bipolar 1993

View the original article here ezine.com