I have just been re-daignosed with bipolar after getting a new Dr. The old psychiatrist had come to the conclusions (unbenownst to me) that I had Borderline Personality Disorder - only found that out when went to see my GP and she told me that's what the P-Doc had said.

Now I have seen a new Dr who is furious about that - why?

Because I have insight into my mental illness issues (and everyday probelms and situations as well), because I don't blame everything on everyone else (myself more likely) and because I have been successful depsite any mental illness - I push myself (sometimes too hards) whereas someone with Bordeline would not push, fail, and then blame whoever.

This misdiagnosis was put down to "childhood neglect" issues - that was certainly not the case - had issues but never neglected - always one parent there to give support - and mostly a great deal of support.

As to other people - it's all too easy when you know a lot about mental illness to start labelling others.

But, when a problem arises in the workplace, or wherever, I very quickly think - am I to blame, has my illness something to do with it? Then, like you said, I sit back and look at the other person - sometimes it's them, sometimes it's me, but most times it's not bipolar that is the issue - it can be my pigheadedness, or it can be soemone else's inability to be upfront about issues in the workplace, or whatever. I try not to define people by the categories that are so readily available, just like I trust that people wont define me by my illness (the eternal optimist on that one!).

I think sometimes an opinion can be posted here that seems to be judgemental, but is actually just an opinion. There seems to be lots of meds/no meds stuff happening here. The thing we need to realise is that we are all different, but if we have something to say from our own experience that may be of assistance (or not - it's up to the person with the issue to make the call) then that may not be what the person wanted to hear and is therfore judgemental - I don't think so, it's just stating things from a personal point of view.

If someone asks a question i'l try and answer it from my perspective, and if they want to discard that perspective I take no offense. I just don't want to be attacked for my personal perspective - and that has not happened to me on this site, I think it's quite an amazing resource.

Cheers

N

I guess sometimes we need a better understanding in order to fully understand what responsibility is. Even when your totally manic or severely depressed, you have to own your words and actions.

Your partly right in that when in a total manic episode, your not in control of the crazy thoughts and actions...but your still responsible and have to own the good and the bad that came from it.

So why do we need to take responsibility? Well if we feel we have no control over any of the situations that were going on prior to or during the mania, then how can we change things in the future so that it isn't a repeat of the past? For many, its usually a medication or stress level problem.

Medication...not taking them as prescribed, missing dosages and or adding drugs and alcohol into the mix. Sometimes its not letting your psychiatrist know what other doctors are prescribing for psychical aliments that can double up medications that can flip you.

Stress....it is well known that high levels of stress can bring out the worst in us. If you are under a high level of stress on a daily bases, this can also give that little push over the edge and needs to be addressed by you, your therapist and psychiatrist.

If you decide not to own or take responsibility for your actions during these times of little to no control, then you will be the one that will keep repeating the episodes on a regular bases.

I can tell you from personal experiences that people will forgive, but not forget. If you show not only you, but the people around you that you are doing everything possible and taking responsibly for your actions and not laying blame to the illness for everything...they will be more understanding and more willing to help you.

A manic episode can shatter families and relationships with others and can cause a lot of damage. It's up to you to do everything possible not to have a instant replay of the episode and to own your part in all of it. This means making appologies and ammends to the people you may have hurt during those times. For some it may take years to get back where you were in those relationships prior to the episoide.