What is Bipolar?

@Raspberrycheesecake I found this post to be quite informative. I've recently been diagnosed with Bipolar and did not understand why after 30 years now someone was telling me this. I have been hospitalized before. I feel so bad about how this have impacted the people I love but the one's who are gone I don't really see myself reconciling with them. I had to apologise and practically beg to come back home under the guise that I'm such a screw up. I feel like everyone has given up on me. I hope things get better, my mother has been my only real support and she seems to be tired of me and stressed. I don't know what to do but hope and pray that there is a God in heaven who will have Mercy on me and shine his light of forgiveness on my life. Talking helps. If anyone knows of free therapy please let me know because I can really use the help.

Sincerely,

Your truly!

dd

@Raspberrycheesecake

Do you have any experience with bipolar, either from yourself or a loved one, if so, would you like to share you experience with us? But only if you are comfortable!

I don't personally but I believe one of my family members does.

What type of support have you received or are you receiving from the people around you?

I think they have a lot of support from the family that knows :)

Thanks for the comment @wonderfulHart1330! I am sorry to hear about this, but I am so glad they have support like their family around them. Family support can make a huge difference because it makes you feel that you are not going through it alone.

@wonderfulHart1330i'm bipolar it sucks sometimes

Wow ! Thank you so much for sharing this post, this is one of the most informative post I have come across lately. And to answer the questions:

Do you have any experience with bipolar, either from yourself or a loved one, if so, would you like to share you experience with us? But only if you are comfortable!

I myself suffer with Mixed Type Bipolar Disorder. Hmm, I'd surely like to share my story, not all of it tho coz it's really long hehe. Anyways, I got diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder last year but I know I had been struggling with it for about 4 years now. It's really tough to cope and adjust to it because my highs and lows change a few times a week and I tend to experience a lot of Mixed Episodes but I only realize it after the episode is done.

What type of support have you received or are you receiving from the people around you?

Ohhh, I receive support from my family, friends and 7cups people :') It can sometimes be overwhelming because of the amount of support and understanding they give me and I tend to feel like I would never be able to repay them for their awesomeness. But there are still those down days where I feel like I have no one and that nobody cares for me, which is pretty suck-y when I got off the low mood oof

How do you deal with your bipolar? Would you mind sharing us any tips or ways on how youre handling it?

Currently I am still struggling with Bipolar. I've tried meds but they did little to no help so I stopped taking them and aside from that, they are pretty pricey But the best tip I can probably give is to talk it out with someone, when you feel low and like no one really cares for you or whether you feel like your on top of the world, tell someone, someone will always be there to listen to you."A problem shared is a problem halved." And take it easy on yourself, you are but a hooman and you have limitations, too. Also, always, always ask for help when you need one or even when you feel like you don't. Help is always available, you just need to reach out And the most important one, is sleep, drink water and eat. We tend to forget to do this whether high or low but it's actually really important for this is what our body needs. That's all hehe

Thank you so much @QuirkyAnne! I am so glad you enjoyed the post and it was the most imformative post you've come across lately. I am sorry that you suffer with Bipolar, it must be so hard! It was so lovely to hear your story and understand how you got the help and support you have now, even when you said it was hard to cope at times! You are doing amazing!

I am so happy that you have support from both your family and friends, as well as 7Cups. It makes me so happy that you find being on 7Cups supportave and understanding. I undersatnd that it can be overwhelming with lots of support, but it can make things easier. I am sure you pay them back by being awesome and showing lots of strength! Having down days is okay, and I know that it can be hard to think that nobody cares for you, but even on your down days, people still care.

That's so sad that your medication wasn't working and you had to stop taking them and they were pricey! I agree with what you said about talking to someone about how you feel, it does make life a little easier. I understand that reaching out can be hard to do, but like you've proven - reaching out and asking for help is so much more better than keeping it all to yourself and bottling it up!

Like you said QuirkyAnne, help is always available and it always will. You should never feel like you are going through this alone, having support and listening ears around you - really changes your perspective on things! Also, sleeping, drinking water and eating is essential for our bodies. Setting reminders on your phone can help with this!

Thank you so much QuirkyAnne for sharing your story and being really brave by publishing it on this thread! You are a truly amazing person

@Raspberrycheesecake Thanks ! <3

@Raspberrycheesecake

what an amazing piece of work! You must be very proud! Well done! I learnt a lot there, it's sometimes hard to read the bare truth but you made it wonderfully interesting thank-you!

Thank you so much @MistyMagic! That means so much to me! I understand that it can be hard to read the truth, but sometimes it's good because we can spread awareness.

@Raspberrycheesecake

Yes I totally agree <3

Spreading awareness and removing stigma are things that we all need to work at

So what is your next piece of work going to cover?

Thank you so much @MistyMagic! I did do a Self-harm myths vs facts awhile ago, I might see if I can do somemore in the future, I really enjoyed doing this!

Hey everyone!

A few weeks ago, I was involved in this big drama which ended with my principal stating that I am ''bipolar". I have looked up the symptoms but I fit in some and I am free of some. Like, I have these really random mood swings (which happens a lot( and I am hyperactive most of the time.

I know that this site is just meant for support and all, but is there a chance of me being bipolar?

Hey @black1995, I am sorry to hear about the big drama you were involved in! I hope you are feeling okay now? As for being bipolar, your best bet is to maybe see a specialist about this and have the relevant checks to see if you are bipolar. We on 7Cups cannot diagnose you, with anything, as this is against the policies we have in place. However, I do wish you all the best and all the best of luck, if you choose to move forward with doing any tests to see if you are bipolar.

@Raspberrycheesecake I was a bit shaken but I am feeling better now. Thanks for asking. Personally speaking, I never felt that I was bipolar but hearing it from someone who has so much more experience than me kinda made me open to this possibility. I'll try and see a specialist.

Hey @black1995, I understand it can be quite a heavy thing to take it and I understand that it shook you up! I think it would have me too! Good luck with seeing a specialist and I hope they help you out and answer any questions you have!

@Raspberrycheesecake thank you for taking out time to reply. You're a lovely person.

Thank you so much @black1995, and it's no problem at all.

Bipolar Disorder and Autism Linked!

An Internship Honors Project by Prachi9876

What is BD?

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mood disorder. In BD, elevated moods followed by depressed moods. These cycles can happen over days, weeks, or even months. It is a disorder of what you might call intra-psychic mentalism: in other words, reading of your own mind. Normally, we read our own mental states by way of sensing our moods, thoughts and feelings in relation to something, and report these to others with phrases like I feel like Y; I'm in the mood for X; or, I'm happy with Z. In BD these internal mind-readings become pathologically exaggerated into crippling swings from mania to depression, often combined with delusional ideas about the self, messianically megalomanic or suicidally self-critical as the case may be: intra-psychic hyper-mentalism in fact.

What is Autism?

Autism is a range of symptoms that include difficulties with social skills, speech, behavior, and communication. These challenges fall in a wide array. Each persons signs and symptoms of autism are different. ASD involves deficits in mental modules and brain centres involved with reading other peoples minds, such as gaze monitoring, conversation and social skills, interpreting body language, and so on.

According to one study, about 27 percent of children with autism show symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Research- Analyzing data from the postmortem brain tissue of over seven hundred human brains, researchers found similar levels of certain molecules in those suffering from autism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Further analysis found links between bipolar and depression, as well as depression and autism.

In a recent study of children with autism (ages 7 to 17), it is found that nearly a third had frequent episodes of elevated mood. Just over 60 percent could be described as very irritable. Just over half talked excessively. Other common symptoms included excessive activity such as pacing (43 percent), accident proneness (44 percent), distractibility (43 percent) and a tendency to get in trouble (47 percent). Sleep disturbances were also common. The point is that all these behaviors could be considered symptoms of bipolar disorder! Yet clearly these children did not all have bipolar disorder. In many cases, their mania symptoms were, in fact, symptoms of autism. ADHD symptoms also overlap with these behaviors.

Both conditions show an activation of genes in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes, these cells provide biochemical support to the cells that help form the blood-brain barrier, provide nutrients to nervous tissue, and play a role in the repair and scarring of the brain and spinal cord after traumatic injuries. The autism brains also show a unique increase in the expression of genes specific to immune cells called microglia.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder-They fall into two categories according to the type of mood experiencing.

Symptoms of a manic episode include:

Acting unusually happy, upbeat, and wired.

increased energy and agitation.

exaggerated sense of self and inflated self-esteem.

sleep disturbances, being easily distracted.

Symptoms of a depressive episode include:

acting or feeling down or depressed, sad, or hopeless

loss of interest in normal activities

sudden and dramatic changes in appetite

unexpected weight loss or weight gain

fatigue, loss of energy, and frequent sleeping.

Symptoms of autism include:

difficulty with social interaction and communication

practicing repetitive behaviors that are not easy to disturb

displaying very specific preferences or practices that are not easily changed

How to recognize mania in someone who has autism

Depression is often obvious and easy to identify than mania which makes it difficult to recognize mania in autism.

If you noticed a sudden shift or change in the symptoms, these behaviors may be the result of mania .Once youve identified when the symptoms appeared, look for the seven key signs of mania in people with autism.

Medical Treatment

The goal of treatment for bipolar disorder is to stabilize moods and prevent broad mood swings. This can stop problematic manic or depressive episodes. Typical treatment for bipolar disorder is either psychoactive medications like Lithium or anti-seizure mood stabilizers like Valporic acid

For children with BD and ASD, a combination of mood-stabilizing medicines and antipsychotic medicines like risperidone (Risperdal) and aripiprazole (Abilify) are used.

Some also prefer a family treatment intervention, especially with children. This combination treatment of education and therapy may help decrease severe mood swings and improve behavior.

Conclusion

The symptoms and reasons of bipolar disorder and Autism overlap with each other. But still it is possible to tease apart the symptoms of true bipolar disorder from those of autism by looking carefully at when the symptoms appeared and how long they lasted.

Bipolar Disorder is associated with a trend towards both an increased number of medication trials attempted, and slightly more medications used. A typical antipsychotics, like lithium is used most commonly Many medications were effective in this sample. It is also possible that bipolar spectrum disorders are underdiagnosed in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Prospective treatment trials and clearer identification of diagnostic issues are necessary to provide definitive evidence to meet the clinical needs of individuals with Autism.

Helps and Resources

Autism Speaks-https://www.autismspeaks.org/

Autism Network-https://iancommunity.org/

Healthline- https://www.healthline.com/

References

https://www.7cups.com/forum/BipolarDisordersSupportCommunity_63/BipolarSupport_589/WhatisBipolar_149560/

https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-and-autism

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160504174903.html

QUESTIONS

1. Do you have any experience of autism with bipolar, either from yourself or a loved one, if so, would you like to share you experience with us? But only if you are comfortable!

2. What type of support have you received or are you receiving from the people around you?

3. Since we have learned about this, how will you help yourself or someone you love if you/they are having symptoms in the future?

As anyone had success in forgiving themselves from manic episodes that happened where they hurt people (not physically) but emotionally?  I have long been forgiven but cannot forgive myself.  Any tips?

Thanks.

@blueBeing6068 Sometimes I don't forgive myself right away, but then I remember that I do put in effort to prevent emotionally hurting others. So, it's not like I am planning to hurt others. That is a huge difference. 

If you put effort in, do self care and are truly trying, one should not feel guilty. Sometimes our emotions are out of control, and things happen but we did not intend them to. I know it is easier said than done, but keep hope alive. 

I hope that one day, you are able to forgive yourself. 😊

@Raspberrycheesecake excellent psycho education info. Some changes may not necessarily need changed but presented differently. Love to post for psycho education.

Hi, I am bipolar, as is my mom. And I really appreciate that you wrote this post, explaining what it really is. We are not close with Mom, so for a long time she'd been hiding what was actually happening to me. That is toxic, I know. But I cannot blame her. I was feeling so miserable at times that I could not study, could not eat properly, or do anything. I thought that everybody in the street is looking at me and seeing that I had a mental condition. Fortunately, in my college the English literature teacher recommended reading about BPD vs. Bipolar and somehow that was a step toward a normal state for me. I found a doctor later, and now I am on meds, but there are no such horrible fits as I used to have before.

@brightCake3328 Glad that you found things that work for you, yay!!! I also found things that worked for me, am very thankful. It can be trial and error and may take some time, but worth it. 💗