Comments on: Why Accurate Diagnosis is Crucial for those with Bipolar Disorder?

By: Lana Hurst

Lana Hurst — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:45:16 +0000

Bi-polar is real and often misdiagnosed. When we were chldren my two brothers and I loved our sister but we did not like her, little did we know her attitude and behavior were even then probably related to her mood swings. She attempted suicide at age 17 and has had the usual pattern of self mediating until finally getting the proper medications. Pleae understand that this is a medical condition like diabetes or cancer. You cannot “will” it away. -Lana, RN, MSN

By: Karl Bruno Gatti

Karl Bruno Gatti — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:04:41 +0000

Dear Sue G., there are many excellent medications for bipolar disorder. I know because I was diagnosed in 1977 and since one lapse in 1979, I have stayed on my meds and although I haven’t avoided getting depressed at times, I have never again become manic which for me is crucial because the three times I have been manic I became so out of it that I became psychotic and delusional and had to be hospitalized. Now, some of the meds available have very definite side effects but it is worth it in the end to be mania free and have your regular depressions be less severe.

By: Sue G

Sue G — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:22:40 +0000

Is their really any good medication for a bipolar patient? Just looking for suggestions.

By: j9new

j9new — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:59:58 +0000

Thanks Bob.
I am not bipolar yet there is a lot of mental illness in my family. People who judge are very in the wrong. I have known many very mentally ill people and am thankful I have been lucky in this area. I was seemingly autistic as a baby, yet have come a long way and feel very sensitive and understanding to mental illness. I have worked long and hard to fit in society. But I have siblings who have not succeeded in getting along without disorder.

By: emorgan

emorgan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:43:52 +0000

Clearly the only people caring to comment on this article are ignorant morons who have no understanding of psychology. I have suffered from bipolar disorder since i was around 13 years old and it is a very real, terrifying, and crippling disease. You people apparently have never suffered from mental illness or had to watch someone you love suffer from it so until you do, keep your ignorant uneducated “opinions” to yourself.

By: Bach

Bach — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:35:33 +0000

I have had emotional issues my entire life. A few doctors have mentioned, Bi-Polar” or “Manic”. I even have a prescription that I had filled but was too afraid of taking it… What if I was misdiagnosed?
How does one be sure?

By: LC

LC — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:16:31 +0000

Somebody posted that bipolar people are just have bad moods when they dont get their way. That is not true at all. I have bipolar disorder and i know that it results from problems with the brain and depression happens even when nobody says anything to make you upset. So saying that bipolar people throw temper tantrums when they dont get their way is completely wrong. And no it never goes away if you have bipolar disorder you will struggle with it your whole life. It has nothing to do with what is going on in your life its about a mental disorder that cannot be changed.

By: Momof3andlifelongbipolar

Momof3andlifelongbipolar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:06:15 +0000

One last note… If a child has been diagnosed as a bipolar, which in my opinion is too soon to diagnose, as there is usually just not enough evidence in the early years to do so, and then they just seem to snap out out of it… Guess what sports fans??? They never had it! It doesn’t go away, never, never, never. Show me one medical document, research study, thesis, anything that shows even one person who’s bipolar disappeared. You won’t find it, but good luck.

By: Momof3andlifelongbipolar

Momof3andlifelongbipolar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:56:09 +0000

I feel very sorry for whomever the child of momofbipolar is. She is obviously uneducated, or downright to stubborn to open her mind and learn. Try reading a book. The temer tantrums, attention getting, all of it, is related to a chemical imbalance, and yes some to being a teen. Period. If you are a true bipolar, you never grow out of it, not ever. It is humanly impossible. Once the gene is expressed it’s there for life. Are there people called “light bi polar’s” that can function with occasional or no medication? Yes, but they don’t grow out of it, their symptoms are just manageable. You make me ill. I just want to hug your child and let them know there are people who do understand and that they are not alone. Being a teen is hard enough without having to fight bipolar an an idiot of a mother who is bitter she has a harder job to do than others. Put your big girls panties on and get over it! This is the hand you were dealt, help your child and quit feeling sorry for yourself! ugh!

By: Bob A.

Bob A. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:24:09 +0000

There is a grave difference between dated “life situations” and stressful situations in relation to on-going lifetime struggles with bipolar disease. I am a 52 year old male who has fought the labels society placed on me for decades. Years of drug and alcohol abuse, risky and dangerous behavior and suicidal thoughts and actions lead me to a diagnosis of bipolar disease, therapy, and medication. I still suffer from manic and depressive moments however, it is under (for most parts) control. It is important for anyone who suffers, or the families of those who suffer to seek help. DO NOT listen to armchair professionals who want to tell you it’s due to spoiled children or adults looking for attention. It is real, and it’s dangerous if left untreated.