People always ask me what it is to be bipolar or manic depressive.  It's probably not that much different than being you except I have more fun.  I'm not like awesomely manic depressive where I'm gonna kill myself or anything and have to be seculded away from society or other people (although I have days I should), but I'm more moody than most girls, yet seem to be more practical.  I like to think of it as being an extremist!  I don't half ass anything.  Not even my emotions.  You aren't ever going to have to guess what I'm thinking because I just say anything and everything.  Even when I know I shouldn't. 

Oh, sure, it annoys people.  Hell, you're probably one of them, but, trust me, your "normalcy" is much more annoying to me.

Yup, I've had most of the drugs, but I can't afford them and honestly, the best drug I was ever on for manic depression was birth control.  I've recently decided I'd like to not have a stroke though and, well, I'm not gettin' any, so I'm just experiencing it full on which is also normal for someone in my "condition".  I've been much more creative though, had plenty of new, awesome ideas and been much more spontaneous and ready to go than I was while on the drugs.

I always say that people with mental illnesses/chemical imbalances though aren't always just one thing though.  I've been a little paranoid schitzophrenic, obsessive-compulsive, and suffer from dillusions of granduer (only because I'm so awesome).  I even think I used to hallucinate as a child, but that's probably the hypochondriac in me talking.

One thing my friend, Luke, laughed at me about one day though that after he pointed it out I laughed as well, but I always say that I'm predominately bipolar.  He said, "So, you're predominately, two different things."  Well, I am, so lets tack on split personality disorder and get it over with.

The way the world is pro-creating and such though, I suspect that many of you are the same, no matter how normal you think you are.  People are just different.  That's the way it goes.  So, if you think you're so great because you managed to pull off a house in a nice Drees subdivision and have a job with a corporation that is currently driving you towards suicide and have a Masters Degree in something really lame because you still don't know what you're doing with your life, don't think you're so hot.  Wives, husbands, kids, pets; they don't make you cool at all.  In fact, they make you even less interesting.

I'm not trying to be all angsty or anything either, it's just the facts.

From Sister Amanda at The Bipolar Planet

~THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF MANIC-DEPRESSION~

1. Thou shalt not blame everything on chemical imbalance.
2. Thou shalt avoid high places and sharp objects when on either extreme of the mood spectrum.
3. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's shiny trinkets.
4. Thou shalt not trust any shrink who writes thee up a prescription after the first 15 minutes.
5. Thou shalt not beat up anyone while on a manic fit, no matter how much ye really want to, or how much they deserve it.
6. Thou shalt indulge in immaturity whenever the urge strikes thee.
7. Thou shalt not break stuff that does not belong to thee.
8. Thou shalt go to bed only when ye feel tired.
9. Thou shalt allow others to occasionally get a word in edgewise.
10. Thou shalt not send people crazy e-mails at odd hours of the night, and if thou does, then thou shalt take full responsibility for thine actions.

Music Makes The Brain Happy Article

Here are some of the basics that I stole off a website that are probably things you need to know when dealing with me:

What is Bipolar disorder?

The mood swings experienced by people with bipolar disorder are far more severe than the usual ups and downs of everyday life. Sufferers alternate between mania, when they feel high, full of energy, and restless, and depression, when they feel lethargic, sad, and hopeless. The severity and duration of these episodes varies and often there will be periods of normal mood in between.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder is characterised by poor judgment, resulting in high-risk, impulsive, or destructive behaviours. While manic, sufferers may engage in reckless or dangerous activities such as fast driving, wild spending sprees, provocative or aggressive behaviour, and substance abuse. Family members must not only cope with their loved one acting in uncharacteristic ways, but also deal with the lasting consequences of these behaviours.

Relationship problems caused by bipolar disorder

 Like any serious illness, bipolar disorder creates problems for family members and friends. Living with someone who experiences extreme, uncontrollable mood swings can be highly stressful and a source of misunderstandings and confrontations.

Alcohol and drug abuse is common in people with bipolar disorder and can make symptoms more severe. Substance abuse may reflect a lack of judgment brought on by the illness or be a deliberate act of “self-medication” by the patient. Experts stress the important of recognizing such problems in bipolar patients and ensuring they are treated by specialists.

Effective management of substance misuse has dual benefits: It minimizes the negative impact of drug and alcohol on the sufferer and their family, and also increases the likelihood that treatment for bipolar disorder will be successful.

The price a bipolar sufferer pays for the euphoric high is a crashing low, which can be just as hard for family and friends to cope with. In the manic phase the sufferer can be the life and soul of the party, whereas during a depressive episode they are likely to withdraw into themselves. They may be irritable or restless, show disturbed sleep and eating patterns, and be unable to enjoy their usual activities. This can be extremely upsetting for family members, particularly children, who may feel that they have done something wrong.

Understand that bipolar sufferers cannot control their feelings
It is important to remember that these feelings of hopelessness and depression are neither rational nor under the sufferers’ control: they cannot simply “snap out of it”. Try to be patient and understanding and remember that your support is crucial, even if it does not appear to be appreciated at the time.

During manic and depressive episodes, patients with bipolar disorder may become suicidal. Research suggests that at least one-quarter of sufferers will attempt suicide, and 10-15% will be successful. Fortunately, drug treatment for bipolar disorder has been proven to substantially reduce the risk of suicide, so family members should remain vigilant and ensure compliance with any prescribed medication. Suicidal thoughts, remarks, or behaviours should always be taken seriously and reported to a qualified professional.

Sometimes, severe bipolar episodes include symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Seeing a loved one exhibiting such symptoms can be frightening and confusing but again it is important to bear in mind that these behaviours are caused by the illness and require urgent medical attention. Drugs can be effective in reducing acute psychotic symptoms, while long-term compliance with medication will help prevent them recurring in the future.

Symptom awareness
A particularly frustrating aspect of bipolar disorder is that when someone is in the midst of an episode they are unlikely to realize there is anything wrong. In fact, most sufferers report feeling extremely well at the beginning of a manic episode and don’t want it to stop. When someone with bipolar disorder is engaging in activities that are a threat to themselves or others, hospitalization may be necessary. Often this is against the person’s will - in other words they are “committed”. This is a legal process and only happens when a qualified professional believes that hospitalization is necessary to ensure the person is safe and has access to treatment.

Although forced hospitalization can cause considerable distress at the time, the sufferer will usually acknowledge that it was necessary once treatment has been started and their symptoms are under control.

Social problems
With all these potential sources of conflict between the sufferer and their family, it is no surprise that bipolar disorder is associated with severe psychosocial problems. Even between episodes it is estimated that 60% of sufferers experience enduring difficulties in their home and working lives. Divorce rates are around two to three times higher for bipolar individuals than in the general population; furthermore, their occupational status is twice as likely to deteriorate than those without the illness.

What steps can you take if someone in your family suffers from bipolar disorder?
Family and friends tend to be at the front-line of managing the illness, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that family involvement is directly beneficial to the sufferer. Indeed, studies show that family “psychoeducation” is effective in reducing the risk of relapse, improving compliance with treatment, facilitating general social skills, and promoting family harmony. Some practical ways that family and friends can help are outlined below:

• Learn everything you can about bipolar disorder (psychoeducation).
• Encourage the sufferer to seek treatment if they have not already done so.
• Offer to accompany them to doctor’s appointments.
• Let your loved one know you care; remind them that their feelings are caused by an illness that can be treated.
• Provide ongoing emotional support and encouragement once treatment has started.
• Learn to recognize the warning signs of an imminent relapse, e.g., irritability, fast speech, restlessness, and unusual sleeping patterns.
• Identify triggers, e.g. seasons, anniversaries, stressful life events.
• While the sufferer is stable, formulate a preferred course of action in the event of a future manic or depressive relapse.
• Monitor medication compliance and remind the sufferer that treatment must be continued even when they are feeling well.
• Never ignore remarks about suicide - don’t leave the sufferer alone and contact a professional urgently.Make sure your relative is able to look after themselves; alert their physician if they are not eating or drinking.

If you want some more fun facts on manic depression, let me recommend these sites because I'm too busy with my own issues to explain it to you again:

The Bipolar Planet

Bipolar Focus

What a Difference