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ASilentObserver profile picture
Myth vs. Fact: Bipolar Disorder
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 September 2nd
...See more Hello everyone,  As we celebrate Bipolar Disorder Awareness Week! (March 24th - 30th) [https://www.7cups.com/forum/bipolar/General_2419/JoinUsforBipolarDisorderAwarenessWeekMarch24th30th_349292/], We invite you to join us here to share personal experiences, take our small steps to foster empathy, and offer encouragement and support to each other. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and so it is important to have a safe and inclusive space where one can able to share their experiences and emotions without any judgment. It is so common for bipolar disorder to be misunderstood.  Some myths and misconceptions can lead to stigma, confusion, and even stop people from seeking the support they need. So this discussion is dedicated to separating fact from those misconceptions. Here are a few common myths that I noticed: Myth 1: Bipolar disorder means extreme mood swings from happy to sad. While significant mood changes are a core feature of bipolar disorder, it is more complex than simple "ups and downs."  Mania can involve increased energy, racing thoughts, impulsivity, and decreased need for sleep.  The intensity and duration of these mood episodes vary from person to person. Myth 2: People with bipolar disorder are dangerous and violent. This is such a harmful and inaccurate stereotype.  The majority of people with bipolar disorder are not violent.  Similar to us, they can experience a range of emotions and behaviors.  Untreated mania or severe depression can sometimes increase the risk of impulsive behavior, but with proper treatment and support, individuals with bipolar disorder can live stable and fulfilling lives. Myth 3: Bipolar disorder is caused by a lack of willpower or a character flaw. It is a mental health condition with a strong biological basis.  As per research, it involves imbalances in brain chemistry, genetic factors, and environmental influences.  It is not a matter of personal weakness or a lack of moral character.  Now it is your turn. Please share:  * What are some other myths you have heard about bipolar disorder? * Have you encountered any misconceptions in your own life? * What helps you challenge these myths and promote understanding? We look forward to reading your experiences and supporting you. Let's work together to create an understanding and supportive community for those who are affected by bipolar disorder. 
ASilentObserver profile picture
Sharing Our Stories & Building Understanding ✨✨
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 September 1st
...See more Hello everyone,  As we celebrate the Bipolar Disorder Awareness Week! (March 24th - 30th) [https://www.7cups.com/forum/bipolar/General_2419/JoinUsforBipolarDisorderAwarenessWeekMarch24th30th_349292/], we invite you to join us here to share personal experiences, taking our small steps to foster empathy, and offering encouragement and support to each other. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and so it is important to have a safe and inclusive space where one can able to share their experiences and emotions without any judgment. What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior. People with bipolar disorder 1  experience periods of intense highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood swings can disrupt daily life and lead to challenges in relationships, work, and school.   People with Bipolar 2 has their own challenges and struggles as well.   That is why sharing our stories and experiences can help to reduce the stigma and misconceptions associated with bipolar disorder. It can also help spread awareness, educate others about the condition, and support those affected. When we share our experiences, we create a sense of community and let others know that they are not alone. So how can you participate? We encourage you to share your personal experiences with bipolar disorder, whether you are living with the condition yourself or have a loved one who is affected. You can share your story here in this thread for support and discussion. If you are uncertain what to share, here are some questions that may help you share: * What is it like to live with bipolar disorder? * How has bipolar disorder affected your life? * What are some of the challenges you have faced? * What are some of the things that have helped you to cope with bipolar disorder? * What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder? We look forward to reading your experiences and supporting you. Let's work together to create an understanding and supportive community for those who are affected by bipolar disorder. 
MistyMagic profile picture
Bipolar, Schizophrenia & Psychosis Support taglist - add or remove yourself here!
by MistyMagic
Last post
 July 25th
...See more This thread controls an auto-updating taglist please do not edit it. To see the current list, go to: Bipolar Support Taglist [https://rarelycharlie.github.io/taglist?da226773818d8c404001cc760683e4de]. To add yourself to this taglist, press the Post to Thread button above and write the exact words "Please add me." To remove yourself from this taglist, press the Post to Thread button above and write �the exact words, "Please remove me." [Updated by @M4GIC on 10-02-22 for current taglist] Please use this New Taglist This post was last updated - 23 Sept 2023 by MistyMagic 206 people: @19jackrabbit69 @A4SPSRDS @Accentus @Acidkplatypus @acupofkai2 @alleywood13 @Amara34 @Ambitioustalker770 @Amld27 @Anna0319 @AnyaS @ApolloKafka @ArianMartian @AvidGamer293 @babysquirrel @Basiljwils @BearWithMe23 @bestBraveheart57 @Bre1237cupslistener @brokeninnc21 @BrokenTearss @BubbleGum928 @BugsYBunny @BunnyInTrouble @ByzantinePrussia @CaitieDid @CaliforniaViv @carefulAcres8381 @cassidychase @celticbard1018 @CharlieHorse1991 @CHarmingTime @cherishx0 @cherrytsubaki20 @Cheryllll @chyni @colorfulJoy4237 @colorfulRose3248 @Comeonreally @concavepearl97 @courageousLychee7497 @curtisw @cyanPlatypus6370 @Cybe @Cyhyreath @DannyB140 @decisiveBeechwood1142 @decisiveLychee3669 @Dimara @Divabrown @Doubledee25 @DragonessCocoa1 @dreamangel135 @DreamingofDakota @Drummermattrocks @DtoxfyBrainPurifyHeartRectfySoul @EcheverianDuchess @egret35 @elatedpeach152 @emju2401 @Endure777 @Ernaest @eternaldarkness22 @evedison358 @EvilRegalsReadToo @fairmindedIdea88161 @fancysummer52 @fearlessCurrent357 @feile @FlamingosWearLipstick @FleetingBardSong @forcefulCamp2310 @FriendlyWords623 @funnyOwl2072 @Gamerboy80 @gentleNight53 @Gerlesa @ghostEyes4970 @giraffe2011 @greenTiger1474 @guatemexicana @GupsyMoon @Haveaneed123 @hazerhea @Helloloves3 @hereforyouharzi @hillsideblues @hopesmiles8825 @Hotaru419 @humorouscarf805 @iamlayan @Iheartguineapigs @IloveCheance45 @Imafilthyhumanbeing @indigoRaspberries4203 @Isabellyjelly @Jacquemoos @jaedae @Janica88 @JeraTheWitch @Jewelmoon17 @jitterbugz7 @JulieHeartHeart @JusticiaPrimalDorogo @justmiles @kindheartedWords6803 @kixhd @Kynz15 @lalabrowni @Laylina0862 @learningtolovemyself1995 @LiineTheFox @limeWatermelon8742 @littleBunny7322 @Looj @lostinspace2002 @luumuno @MadHatter77 @mam1022984 @Mamamel @Marie747 @MarieLane727 @MarissaHope @marytodd11 @me0wcat @MemoryWriter11 @Micp5150 @MieraCurie @Mikababy10 @MindyBlossom @MistyMagic @Moistpillow @MostlyQuiet @mrskim @muskoka @mxmes @nongelic @NotFelixHere @notmyselftoday @NovaDiem @nzv4018 @octopus82 @Orangecat5093 @orangeLake8341 @OscarPerez85 @pandaprincess9 @passZebra3015 @PeachieCat @pepearso @persistentZebra1289 @pinkHickory69001 @placidChestnut8165 @placidMoth @plantmom17 @PrincessAir @princesstears @RaghadR0 @Raimio @rainyday768 @Rambino @Ravenalexis86 @repen13 @RicochetJaguar @RiverJumper2 @Roscoe55 @Roses12 @rrretsuko @Ruidosa @RyuLawliet @SadAFSeth @sailorsays @Selfsufficientfaith @sensibleAvocado4381 @ShadowTag @sisan @soaringgoose @sofiamartino18 @softlyy @softSoul2166 @Soulcomfort @stellarluna0816 @Stuckatcrossroads @SummerHope1904 @SunshineRainbows123 @supertiredbipolarlawyer @sweetPink22 @Talktome929 @Tatianaalize @Tawanda526 @tealDrum7170 @TheDude0156 @Thementalhealth @thequietmouse @tidyPunk49 @toughLion8324 @TranquilSarah @triddett1 @Turn2belle @Vir44 @whatshername79 @WhiteRhino333 @willoltz88 @xelimious @xinyii11 @Zerlyna @zerotwo22
thoughtfulraindrop3 profile picture
self esteem drop after psychosis and hospitalization
by thoughtfulraindrop3
Last post
 15 hours ago
...See more I have bipolar 2 and I recently had my first episode involving psychotic features. I was living in my room afraid to make any noise because I believed my roommates had a secret groupchat they were using to try to get me kicked out. I stopped eating and sleeping and I lost ten pounds and ended up months behind on rent. I started seeing random objects in strange places; i was taking a shower and I saw my phone in the water right next to me and tried to grab it. I was hospitalized and I see now that i was in psychosis but I’m struggling to believe that I’m worth recovery. My roommates have been so kind but I feel like the worst person on earth and I’m afraid to talk to them, even though I know they aren’t aware of the delusions I was having about them. My self esteem has taken a real beating and it’s sinking in that I’m the kind of mentally ill that makes people uncomfortable and less likely to interact with. I’m so deeply ashamed of being pink slipped for the second time this year and I’m just so lost. I would never think this about anyone else but I feel so guilty of having a disorder with psychotic features and I’m too ashamed to clue anyone I know in because I feel like I don’t deserve love and support anymore.
sara4175382 profile picture
Hi
by sara4175382
Last post
 16 hours ago
...See more Hi 💔
bubbleSouth1515 profile picture
Meds Making me Mad
by bubbleSouth1515
Last post
 22 hours ago
...See more I question to go off my meds, but I know who ill be if im off them fully. I rarely take my meds because of my job, I have to be fully present, accurate, and fast at my job, but when I take my meds...im slow af. I feel drunk. I feel out of it. Like I smoked a couple blunts. My meds work, they do what they're supposed to...but at the cost of being who I am. So I give up my meds to be better at work. I take a combo of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Its hard to choose to being mentally well and succeeding at my job. Not really asking a question, just...putting it out there.
compassionateBeing52 profile picture
New here
by compassionateBeing52
Last post
 23 hours ago
...See more Hi everyone I'm new here. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia after a 1 year bout with psychosis in 2023.
reliableKiwi3249 profile picture
Schizophrenia and employment
by reliableKiwi3249
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more I have been pretty depressed lately cause of the job i left after 5 months of working. I couldn't do there anymore so i had to leave . How are you people doing in employment. Schizophrenia really takes away a lot of our abilities. Thank you . See you in chat
niceMoon731 profile picture
Looking for friends
by niceMoon731
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more Hi, My name is Jess. I am schizoaffective disorder and i have had this diagnosis for more than 10 years. Recently im dealing a lot of marriage life.
enthusiasticBlueberry7510 profile picture
Sharing Bipolar Diagnosis during Dating
by enthusiasticBlueberry7510
Last post
 2 days ago
...See more Hi everyone, I was only recently diagnosed with bipolar 2, about 2 months ago. I just started seeing someone and am planning my third date right now. I've not told anyone about my confirmed diagnosis in a way that shows I identify with it (and even those I've told only account for 2 people in my life). I've heard that, in general, everyone has insecurities and it doesn't make sense to be particularly concerned or self conscious when approaching dating because regardless of its nature, everyone has things they're worried about sharing. But, now that I've gotten somewhat farther in my dating life and I haven't let the diagnosis stop me from going on dates, I'm wondering if anyone here more experienced has advice on when to talk about your bipolar with someone you're seeing. I should bring it up before declaring exclusivity, right?
Pleasentminded profile picture
Bipolar disorder
by Pleasentminded
Last post
 2 days ago
...See more Hi I'm 40 with a bipolar disorder since when I was 20. I'm on meds. Can I live a normal life?
BipolarBumbleBee profile picture
Going off meds
by BipolarBumbleBee
Last post
 2 days ago
...See more Hi. So I've been thinking of going off of my meds recently because I just don't like who they've made me become. I don't ever really feel happy, I don't enjoy things I use to and I feel like a whole part of me is missing. I used to be really creative. I would write and draw and decorate from my own imagination and now I can't access that part of myself. I know the meds are doing their job by stabilizing my moods and minimizing the symptoms, but I wanted to get my old self back. I've been on my current dosage of meds for a over year now and frankly I don't feel like playing the long game of trial and error anymore. I also want to say that no I'm not going to simply stop. I am going to talk to both my therapist and psychiatrist about it. I really would like to know what people's experiences have been going off their meds. Do you feel more like your oldself? Do you feel like the old you is just dead, gone and lost forever? Do you feel better or worse? Do you think it's best to just keep trying new cocktails of meds until something feels right?
blueOrange18 profile picture
Schizophrenic sister
by blueOrange18
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more Hi all. My sister is 42 and she is schizophrenic. She never steps out of home. She also chops off her hair and always carries a knife. Whenever she gets a new dress she tears down old dress. She keeps on destroying stuffs in house. She has been behaving crazy since her teens. She also doesn't cooperate to visit doctor. I live in another city and whenever I visit her she abuses me with mindless cursing. She stays with my mother who is getting old n this is worrying me too much. Any advice will be helpful.
mohammedthabit profile picture
I can't work because of my mental illness
by mohammedthabit
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more I can't work because my mental illness and I want to who else can't work
secretPal1648 profile picture
Any advice for feeling like I'm being watched
by secretPal1648
Last post
 September 20th
...See more I tried this last night but I don't know if it uploaded so I'm doing it again. I'm still not sure if this is actually the right place to ask for advice but it's a last resort tbh. I constantly feel like I'm being watched and I don't know who or what it is sometimes they're watching through my eyes but other times they're just standing there watching me like a ghost or something. I only shower in the dark now with a hand towel over me and I get changed under my blankets or a towel so they don't see me naked or anything. I can't talk to my family about this because last time I tried to talk about sh and Ed's they told me I was too young to have anything wrong with me and I was just attention seeking and I'm not totally sure if I can trust my friends to keep it a secret and even if did tell them they mighty think I'm weird. I don't know what to do and I don't want to drive myself "crazy" or something I guess

Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Support

Welcome to Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Support! This is a safe space for those struggling with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and psychosis to get support from others, to share their story and problems, and to connect to others who can relate or that just want to find out more.


What are the different forum topics for Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Support?

Bipolar Support: Struggling with bipolar? Discuss it here!

Community Space: A place for introductions, icebreakers, games, community check-ins and discussions.

Psychosis Support: Struggling with psychosis? Discuss it here!

Schizophrenia Support: Struggling with schizophrenia? Discuss it here!

Share Your Story: Share your story here!


How can I help?

You can help us by simply responding to threads and sharing your story (if you're comfortable). Check-in with us, join a discussion, or start one! Alternatively, you can join us as a Forum Leader. Check out this thread for more information.


Helpful Threads

Taglist: Do you want to stay up to date with our community? Then join our tag list to be notified whenever there is a new discussion or update within the community!


Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Psychosis FAQ

Q: Are there any sub-community-specific guidelines that we need to adhere to?

A: You can find Sub-community-specific guidelines below, which you should follow in addition to the general forum guidelines.


Help! I still have a question! 

If you need help, feel free to contact a community leader or post here, and someone will contact you!

Community Resources

Trigger warning: some viewers may find resources triggering.

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Bipolar Support Ranting Space

You may also find the following YouTube videos useful:

A Schizophrenia Simulator 
Surviving Schizophrenia 
The voice in my head | Eleanor Longden