just like Brooke Shields talking about PPD, any and all talk of this disease will lead to people being educated about it and will hopefully reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.

Report this comment as spam or abuse

@BHIG ~ I’m sorry if I were vague, if you meant me. I’m actually a bipolar 1 and have had psychotic breaks, yet I’m not violent. When I’ve had breaks, I cower in my bed or bathtub, calling my loved ones for help, since I can have audio – and sometimes visual – hallucinations. You’re right that a lot of bipolar people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, which isn’t a good thing. My dad was an untreated alcoholic bipolar, and until he got a grip by going to AA, he was terribly violent. But, he grew up in an abusive home as well, so one always wonders how much each part had to do with it.
…

I do think that a person chooses whether to be violent or not, with their biochemistry, and upbringing/work on themselves, as huge contributing factors. My upbringing was abusive and violent, and as a late teen, I began working very hard to figure out what was wrong with me (cycling between depression and mania, with suicide attempts starting in 4th grade) and also to deal with my “issues.” I’m not perfect, but I’m not violent as an adult, have never been arrested, and try to be a good person. I feel it’s how much you want to try, in addition to the other things, because yes, I do yell at my dad when I’m manic, but I do my best to not let it get that far. I’m guilty of not taking my medication, too, and as I said above, if I were violent or out of control like that, I’d have someone medicating me, or would otherwise make sure that I couldn’t hurt anyone. Behavior modification, medication, self-therapy, and lifestyle changes have helped me a lot over the years.

Anyway, I hope AMH deals with whatever the cause is, and doesn’t hurt anyone else.

Report this comment as spam or abuse

If you have it, why don’t you know what you have?

If you have a family member with it, why didn’t you make the effort to find out?

There’s Bipolar I – the most severe and the type that can be associated with rapid-cycling (heavy swings between mania and depression)

There’s Bipolar II – less severe because it’s not usually accompanied with full-on manic episodes (primarily depressive)

There’s Cyclothemia which is a bipolar spectrum disorder (run-of-the-mill ‘moody’ people)

Contrary to the bullshit about bipolars being violent, that is not true. What is true is that substance abuse can cause violent behaviour in anybody but bipolar I’s are particularly vulnerable. Bipolars who use (and 60% of BP I’s do, usually alcohol) are said to have a “co-morbidity.”

If the substance abuse isn’t dealt with then there is no hope for successful management of the condition – which is lifelong, like diabetes. It’s also potentially fatal and by that I’m talking about accidents while in a manic state or suicide during a depressive state.

I guarantee you that a Bipolar who is violent is a Type I and likely also a drinker, end of story.

And yeah, I’m Bipolar I and a rapid- cycler and cannot/should not drink. I learned that the hard way.

So sorry if I rubbed any of you the wrong way but BP (manic-depression) is a very, very serious disorder that people ‘throw around’ as an excuse for unacceptable behaviour. That pisses me off. Talking about it in vague terms pisses me off too because there’s not a damn thing vague about it.

(phew!)

Report this comment as spam or abuse

no, all they’ve done is reported on the story called him out for what he did. meanwhile, he’s STILL not getting it.

and, apparently, neither are you.

Report this comment as spam or abuse

Report this comment as spam or abuse

Report this comment as spam or abuse

Report this comment as spam or abuse

Report this comment as spam or abuse

P.S. You are delusional.

Report this comment as spam or abuse

I have NEVER EVER been violent. Without my medicine, I’m on a perpetual high, insanely productive, talking constantly, unable to sleep. I know everyone’s case is different, but please don’t generalize that people with BP1 are somehow more prone to violence than anyone else.

Being easily controlled through medication is not an indication of a mild case of bipolar. Having gone 15 years without a swing makes me doubt your husband is bipolar, Kaye. Even under medication, I’ve never heard of anyone going 15 years without a manic or depressive episode.

I could write a million things about the state of medications and how they can/can’t control BPD, but those with it know what I mean and those without it probably don’t want to hear a lecture.

Anthony Michael Hall had it in him to be violent, regardless of BPD. I really hate it that it’s being used as an excuse – “oh yeah, THAT’S why he did it.” Because he was a slug before and he’d be one without BPD too.

Report this comment as spam or abuse