From what I’ve researched, bipolar people feel very intense emotions and say things as such. If they say they love you or that you are beautiful… how much truth may be in that? Is it real at all — or is it just the extremeness of the illness? Curious…

My boyfriend of 5 years has bi-polar. He hasn’t be diangosed but he has all the signs. I have done a lot of research about bipolar and printed stuff out and given it to him. He has read about it and admitts he is bipolar, but won’t go to a doctor about it. I keep telling him that he would feel so much better. He has told me that he hates being “messed up in the head.” What should I do to help the man that I love?

I am 54 and I was diagnosed Bipolar when I was 22. After many years my medication is finally working with minimal side effects (Lamictal). In childhood I experienced quite a bit of abuse and also lived with a Dominating perfectionistic mother. I m not bashing my mother and she admitted that she was raised the same way. My question is does anyone know of valid research where all these factors are calculated in for a Bipolar diagnosis? Many people are being diagnosed with this illness without considering other factors. Did you realize Dr’s do not get paid unless they can use a valid diagnostic code from the DSMIV (has all mental analysis and codes). Hope Dr’s realize the importance of a true diagnosis otherwise we become drug quinea pigs. I should know because I have been on almost every anti-depressant and mood stabilizer out there. The Dr kept prescribing higher doses of Lithium until I became toxic and may have damaged my liver or kidneys. I finally became active in my own treatment.

i’m in Australia by the way (melbourne to be exact)

I’m researching bipolar disorder and I’m most interested on how it affects teens. How often do mood swings occur? I’ve researched on the internet and read a lot about it but any additional information would be apreciated. Anything that helps me to understand what goes on the head of people with bipolar disorder. And what medicines are often used, I have a list of some of them but I’m not sure they’re right.

Since when is bipolar DISORDER a DISEASE?
I’ve never heard it referred to as a disease and I’ve been diognosed bipolar DISORDER for four years now.

I am bipolar and would like to do it cause nothing has seemed to help me… please let me know what you think!!

Its bad enough moods change with bipolar then having PMS on top of that. I know for me its a coin toss what my PMS will be like. Sometimes it can be so bad I can feel like I do in my depressive cycle in the middle of winter.

I want to see what is in the works. I want to see something that could maybe give me hope. Is there any studies being doing or recent discovery that could mean good news for a bipolar person like me?