Bipolar - It's the flu.

You will read a lot of different things about it on the net. I have to comment about the one I read.

"..."I'm going to quit my job and write a novel!" is a possible manic or hypomanic symptom..."

Are they insane? I mean, how many people "talk" about that a day? How many people write, get paid to write and STILL don't quit their day job? And what does this person do? She blogs from home. SMH

She goes on about how people don't like to talk about their "disease". Uh, no. We don't mind talking about it. In fact, come and ask us questions. How else are you going to learn if you don't ask questions. All because "she" was diagnosed.

People like that who "think" they have it, make me sick. Lets go through the average of difficulty.

She claims changes in sleeping patterns. - Hmmm, maybe someone is transitioning from graveyard to day or vice-a-versa. (Lets be honest, those energy drinks don't work as great as they should)

Restlessly searching for ways to work off extra energy - so every single kid is bipolar? Washing the car every day? - It's called OCD. OCD is not bipolar.

Increased talking - Does the term chatty katty come to mind?

Gets distracted by the sounds of words - REALLY?! Sorry, but if I hear my kid accidentally saying a swear, you don't think that's going t perk my ears?

If your spouse is more sexually demanding - maybe she should watch, The Great Sperm Journey. It's been proven to when we are ovulating we're in "higher" demand.

Oh, gotta love this one - "check your phone bills for 900 sex numbers and for porn websites" - so every person who has no life, or wants to watch porn is bipolar.

Study your credit cards diligently - Spending sprees. Who doesn't do this every once in a while? You know what stops the person from spending? Going over the limit!

Notice if they complain about their thoughts are racing uncontrollably - Umm, yeah, duh, that's normal for us. Why would we complain about it?

Be on the alert if they have delusions - "Some famous person is sending me love letters..." Uh, how many teens and tweens do this on a daily basis with their best-friends? Or the famous one I quoted above. "I'm going to quit my job and write a novel!" So guess what to all those writers, according to this nutcase, you're bipolar and need meds.

Irritability or hostility. This is not just a symptom - it can be dangerous. Be cautious! - Ugh, 1-shouldn't you be careful regardless? IDK I don't want to piss off an old lady with a cane, does that mean she's bipolar? No. It means I have respect for my elders.

Increased religious zeal or involvement - Really? So all those who practice their faith, watch out, you're bipolar.

Hallucinations and paranoia - Don't say you believe in ghosts. Because they're not real and every person who does is bipolar.

Oh, another one that is so true *rolls eyes* - during an episode, a person is likely to wear brightly color clothing. OMG really?

If manic behaviors occur following a change in medications, contact the prescribing doctor promptly. Yeah, because I have every doctor on speed dial.

Tips they give. Does anyone have a baseball bat?

Make a pact with your friend that if you bring these manic behaviors to their attention, they'll contact their doctor. - Umm, didn't she just get done saying that one will disagree with that they are? Yeah, this one makes a lot of sense.

If you see spending sprees - keep money in your name only. - Uh? No! What she's making us be is belittled to those who "don't have the 'disease'"

What you will need - Notebook for record manic behaviors. No - what I need is a baseball bat to hit you upside the head with!

She's written many articles and in all honesty with someone who HAS been diagnosed with BP1, she knows NOTHING about it, and only going off what other posts "suggests". It erks me okay, it pisses me off to no end when someone who "says" they have the disorder thinks they know all about it.

What she doesn't speak about is how we're able to function, (yes, not normally) but we're better artists (and I don't mean just drawing) than "normal" people.

Bipolar is like the flu. It's unique and it effects each one of us differently. According to the lady who wrote the article (where I got the above from) every single person in the world is bipolar. So, if that being the case, why are most who have it, not afraid to say they have it. Because it's like the flu! No one is ashamed to say they have the flu. They're only ashamed of the symptoms produced by the flu.

Do I feel like I want to kill myself? Fuck no. Do I feel like I want to go on a rampage? Fuck yes. All the time. The main thing - do I? No! I use the talents I have and put them to use. Instead of medicating the people, how about we find what their talents are and help them strive? This lady needs a good look at what bipolar is really all about.