Comments on: Is Bipolar Disorder a Dangerous Gift?

By: Trev

Trev — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:13:31 +0000

There are times when this illness really helps me create music. I just wish I had a switch to turn it on whenever I wanted. I’m learning to ‘feel’ it out now though, so that I can optimize the times of mania that I long for.

By: Bipolar gifted

Bipolar gifted — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:36:56 +0000

If the only gift I have from this was the ability to be unjudgemental, I would be eternally grateful.

The range of emotion and experience is humbling.

By: Word to your mother

Word to your mother — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:27:01 +0000

I just want to remind everyone that is completely ignorant of two things. If you look up the statistics on the number of murders caused by a specific race (wont tell you which one) in the United States and compare that to the number of murders caused by people that have been released from mental hospitals and almost everyone in a mental hospital now days has some form of bi-polar diagnosis(its like the new ADD of twenty years ago) you will find that when you compare the statistics that certain race is a much higher risk and you cant group races together just like you cant group bi-polar people together. You must judge a man or women one at a time anybody who does otherwise is a peawit. 24% of New York City is (blank) and they account for 61% of the murders in the city. 7.5% of New York City has been documented as having a mental health problem and mentally ill people only account for 4.3% of murders in the United States. I used New York stats as a somewhat representative sample of the United States. Mentally Ill people probably account for very close to 4.3% of the murders in New York. So that means that a certain race in New York that makes up a quarter of the population is involved in over half of the murders while 7.5% of the population that is mentally ill and the targets of all your insults only account for 4.3%… The mentally ill would have to be responsible for atleast 15% of all murders in the city to be close to as destructive as this specific race is. SOOO are you saying that we should target this specific race and not let our sons and daughters date them and maybe we should take away their right to bear arms as well (Keep in mind anyone diagnosed with bi-polar disorder cannot buy firearm accept in Colorado and I think maybe New Mexico). The fact is Bi-Polar is still not understood by any sense of the word and I know for a fact that when I start to go on the manic side I am way more productive than anyone that is “normal” because I get way more productive than I ever was and I was a 3.8 gpa student at one of the best business schools in the country before I had my first break and diagnosis. Lets also not forget that our most beloved president Abraham Lincoln was bi-polar as well as the first successful pilot to take the USA to the moon beating Russia. Ignorant remarks like this almost make me regret that my people ever helped contribute to society. In the end science will prove that true bi-polar people are the most gifted people in the world and will find a medicine that allows us to perform at our highest manic state without ever going overboard. I know I will be alive to see that day because medical advancements are growing at a astonishing rate and I can’t wait for people to realize just how ignorant they have been. I do give you that it can be a dangerous gift because it is not fully understood and people should always stay on their meds but it is a gift not a disease time will tell.

By: Anon

Anon — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:03:14 +0000

My heart goes out to you ma’am. Bipolar, I think is not the same thong for all those who have it. Forces we cannot see are behind things and I cannot tell you what. To be brief, I wish things work out wonderfully in the end for both your daughter and yourself . I’ll keep you in my thoughts regarding this sincere matter of yours. Take care.

By: Anon

Anon — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:51:52 +0000

Knowing that you don’t know. Respect the humanness of uncertainty. Knowing people leads to wisdom. Knowing others leads to enlightenment. Ever-changing paradigms. Fluctuations of the simultaneous workings of the parts of the universe in tandem to create the unity of the whole and vice versa (alpha & omega). Etc. Such thinking comes from openness in thinking and not claiming authority (humility). I thus like Thomas Jefferson’s view on Jesus Christ and how his direct words are the ones we need care to focus on. The rest are inspired, but a far cry from what is basic. Ah, basic core knowledge is perhaps the best? You decide. bipolar people are open minded people in many cases and this can a great thing of they use the realizations streaming in from the interpolated bits of gleaned knowledge here and there that match up logically with evidence to the further enlightenment of not just themselves, but the world. But this is subjective opinion. Any consensus is what I’d call “subjective fact”…is that not by definition what the essence of consens(e)us is?

By: unknown

unknown — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:40:39 +0000

bipolar to me seems like it can easily be mistaken of schizophrenia… the both illnesses have the same effects althou in not all cases … people with bipolar illness .. we’ll around them we must look out for ourselves and them also .. they can be dangerous, but just like every normal person too … any mentally ill cases can be much more harm to only themselves and not anyone else… which we have to remember ….

By: Concerned Mom

Concerned Mom — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:36:22 +0000

My daughter is 31yo. She has always been a little on the heavy side and had not had much attention from men. We were always very close until recently; she has met a man that has been diagnosed as “Bipolar”. He has 2 large dogs and she has a small dog. Since they have been together he has put her dog on an extreme diet. Her dog has gone from 25lbs to 12 lbs in 3 months. Not the other dogs who are stocky. He puts a shock collar on her for if she barks. His pit bull always beats up my daughter’s dog but if the dog tries to protect herself she gets shocked by the collar. Now he is putting a large “Pinch Collar” on the small 12 lb dog. He is a 240lb man. I had bought the dog as a gift for my daughter 6 years ago, I have the sister. This is breaking my heart for the small dog who is very loving and loyal to my daughter. My daughter does nothing to protect the dog. I asked if I can take the dog back and he writes “The dog is mine forever” then says “I had a special shock vest made for her”. I think the guy is a total Nut Case, but I am even more disappointed that my daughter is condoning this behavior. I think he has more going on than just being Bi-Polar I think he is Psychotic! She has suddenly become very ugly to me writing very nasty letters to me when I tell my concern about the dog, I don’t even recognize her. I was told the guy was put into a military boys school when he was about 9 and left ther till he was an adult which makes me wonder what may have caused them to “drop and run”. Even photo’s of him are concerning, he has a “crazy look in his eyes” that everyone talks about. What do you all think?

By: called it quits

called it quits — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:35:06 +0000

I have finally had enough of dealing with my soon to be ex who was diagnosed as bipolar by a trained psychologist(and adhd, ocd, among other things) and asked him to leave.
He was stealing adhd meds from my kids (he had generic adderrall) but he stole theirs. He also acquired xanax.
Apparently just taking these meds weren’t good enough for him, he snorted them.
Our five year old daughter found them within days of his leaving along with his razor he used to cut the drugs and the cut straw with residue on it.
Last year I helped him get a pardon for what I thought was only vehicular homicide. (He had been out with a friend watching a game, drinking beer & eating wings. He fell asleep and rear-ended a car killing his friend).
In order to receive his pardon he had to have a psychological exam and a psychiatric exam. He didn’t like the results of either.
After we spent thousands of dollars, he had to go to each and every police station in every city, town and county to gather all of his arrest records. I composed a letter begging for a pardon.
But that was the beginning of the end.
I had written a book about my childhood abuse and it was published. He refused to read it even after all that I had done for him.
He got his pardon (apparently I’m a better writer than I gave myself credit) and he thought he was home-free. But after having found out all the things he had done, I was sick and wanted out of the marriage.
The more success I got from my writing whether through people reading about it, my editor, etc. the angrier he became.
This summer he started cutting himself. He also said he heard voices telling him to “do bad stuff” but he didn’t do what they said.
His mood shifted quicker than sand falling through an hourglass…and he was never the blame for anything that ever happened.
This past September he was fired for stealing & for violation of OSHA rules (the second time in 6 months).
He then got worse…more mood swings, more anger, more crazy behavior.
He was shown the door when he said demons in his closet came out at night to speak to him…that was it. We had separate rooms for over a year at this point.
I went downstairs & brought up several trash bags. He left the way he came…with his stuff in trash bags.
He screamed at our 10 year old telling him I was going to make him sleep in his car & he would probably die so he would never see him again.
He was going to live at his mom’s house. She has 5 bedrooms & she also has 9 rental homes, an efficiency apartment and several trailers she rents out.
Our son had an asthma attack afterward and never wants to see or talk to him. I am taking him for counseling.
Right after my ex was fired our 5 year old was diagnosed with 2 life threatening diseases. We couldn’t receive any medicaid because my ex had been arrested for distribution of drugs unbeknown to me.
If she had cut herself on his razor blade it could have caused her serious harm.
He constantly calls or texts wanting to come & see the kids. I let him visit several times a week until our 5 year old said he stole medicine (adderrall) from her sister’s suitcase (she was visiting for Christmas).
He doesn’t think he has any issues at all & accuses me of being a “control freak”.
He was also arrested for punching an officer who tried to break up a fight he was in “just for fun”. His defense was that he didn’t know it was a cop.
This is the “fun” late night reading of his pardon that I’ve done to find out that the man I married is a complete stranger & very dangerous.
Bipolar can probably be treated if someone wants to take the correct meds & receive counseling.
However, when someone self-medicates, lies, cheats, steals, etc. at some time you get to a point where you say enough is enough.
His mother, sister & nephew were diagnosed as bipolar last year as well. So, genetics play a role, but I believe so does environment.
I’m leaving as soon as I possibly can. I don’t want anything from him except to be left alone.
I’m afraid he’ll “zero out” & try to take everyone out before he kills himself.

By: Dandy

Dandy — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 22:16:40 +0000

People need to do research and quit coming up with preconceived notions about people with bipolar.

There are other people who don’t have the disorder who are dangerous and kill people. What’s the difference?

I’m bipolar and I can’t even kill a cockroach much more a person. Dead bodies and funerals freak me out; so based on that would it make sense for me to kill anyone?

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:23:02 +0000

All preconceived ideas and obviously all conflicting.
I am 24, was diagnosed with the disorder but
I would certainly not kill anyone! There are
really good Successful people with the condition. Still there was a 1 comment which really struck me. (obviously not the murdering thing!) We can tell it was truthful, and not meant to conflict.
thanks x

By: capt

capt — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:11:46 +0000

I think bipolar disorder is a whole lot more dangerous then they want people to know. They don’t want to tell you it’s out and out dangerous because of the “stigma”, but that line of thinking can ultimately lead to some serious DENIAL about the reality of the situation in some cases.

Some cases are definitely DANGEROUS, and those people should not be near anyone. They should be in a mental hospital and kept there and forced to take their meds. They have no business carrying on lives with children or making spouses and family members victims of their useless fits.

We are not PAID to die, or to put up with these extreme cases. If you are a person who is dealing with someone that is dangerous, by all means, don’t just listen to how “safe” they are all the time. They won’t take their meds, be CAREFUL cause they will kill you. Make no mistake.

By: Ebonie Raspberry

Ebonie Raspberry — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:11:44 +0000

Geesh Kasi, the man was asking a question for clarification. I am married to a man with bipolar. And to answer your question Steve, with people who suffer with manic/depressive swings, there is always a chance of violent outbursts. The question is whether that violence will be projected inward or outward. People with bipolar will have these swings even if they are medicated. The key is learning how to respond and when to see the triggers. Making the right decision when a person suffering from bipolar is having a manic moment can be the key to the outcome. It’s a choice. And she must face the reality of her choice to be with a person with this disorder. there will be pain, and there will be hurt, but nothing two adults can’t handle, if that’s their choice.

By: Kasi

Kasi — Sun, 16 May 2010 04:49:52 +0000

I guess its just ignorance but I get offended when i read comments like the one above. Bipolar & death in the same paragraph…..It’s amazing how we have so much technology yet we still live in the dark ages. But not once did she stop and ask why is her daughter atrracted to this “Bipolar” This is coming from someone who is a bipolar widow, and he never tried to kill me as he was bipolar himself but he did take his own life. I made decisions that led up to this point and i wish more people would stop blaming the mentally ill when something goes wrong and start being responsible for their own decisions. Like your daughter choosing to date someone who is Bipolar!!

By: steve mccosh

steve mccosh — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:44:00 +0000

my daughter moved here to go to college and has met a young man who has been diagnosed bi-polar. my question is can this young man be a physical threat to my dayghter and what would trigger such an event?
i have a heightened sense of concern as my younger sister was murdered by her boyfriend 3 years ago. we do’nt know his mental history, but he did kill himself also

By: George Vreeland Hill

George Vreeland Hill — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:10:10 +0000

Society needs to have a better understanding about Bipolar.
There are too many people who do not know what it really is, and what it does to those who have it.
A lot of people do not realize just how many have Bipolar.
There has to be more education and awareness about this disorder.
Then there will be a better tomorrow.

George Vreeland Hill