Yes Diane, I'm fully aware. Diagnosed and just so tired of being seen as a monster when I'm the type of person who develops an emotional bond with a toaster and will cry when it breaks. It's terrible that you become less human to some once they know

I go off medication for a week or 2 at a time. It makes a huge difference to mood. These are only anti-depressants. Takes 10 days for them to start working again. Take the meds - they work

Bi-polar is a label for people who have extreme ups and downs. They are just like any one of us - but more so

In all honesty, it's not always easy to cope, but the trick is to never stop trying it seems. Every day just try a little harder than before. Praise your own success and work on any short comings you may have. Cut off toxic people, even if they are family, find your boundaries and stick to them. Take up a sport or even a hobby, even if it's reading, anything that you can manage that keeps you occupied and makes you happy. Something safe for you that is. I read and do martial arts, I suck at the MA part, but I go because it teaches me how to ground myself and gives me an outlet for anything that may bother me, an outlet in the sense that I keep training until I drop or find calm within myself. Most of my classes consists of my Sensei encouraging me to simply breathe and find myself again. Even meditation is brilliant, but what works for one may not work for another, so I always say keep looking. Also have a routine for sleep as far as possible, just waking the same time every helped

J, still new to how bored Panda works, so i'm hoping this will reply to your post, but we all have our own methods that work or don't work. I'm just tired of this nonsense where bipolar people get labeled as violent and difficult or a challenge for others. It's extremely damaging to all of us, and a big reason why many don't say a thing about their diagnosis. I understand some will need meds to function, I myself may need them again in future, but saying someone off their meds makes them act in this way upsets me to a great extent. I can't even begin to understand why we can't just treat everyone like humans, instead of going "don't date a bipolar girl", because there's now some label of violence attached to a condition by others who can't be bothered to realize the damage they cause. I'm now going on 8 years with a wonderful person at my side, truth be told, maybe those who have the misconception that bipolar equals violent would be better set aside. :)

Good on you! Keep staying strong

I suffer from depression and associated things - just lows

Excuse the deleted comment, I posted under the wrong name initially.

@KT I can only speak for myself, but for me the highs are far more dangerous then the lows. When I'm down, I feel miserable and need help. My friends and family see me getting worse and worse, and they make sure I get the help I need. But when I am manic, I don't want help, because I feel freaking awesome. Like almost literally "I believe I can fly" awesome. I can do anything so why need help? I put myself in dangerous situations because I rule the world. And going into a manic state is less noticable, because why should people be worried about someone who looks really happy, chatty, and active? Only my closest family considers this behaviour alarming. And even then I refuse help. I am currently off my meds, but with intense therapy. I feel more balanced and healthier then ever. I probably will need to take them again at some point, but right now, no way. So you are certainly NOT 'always' better off with meds.

This is the true tragedy of the disease, Llama :( Stay strong. Hopefully advancements in medications can be made in the future.

The thing is, those pills also stop you from having the dangerous lows as well, it's about balance, about the benefits outweighing the costs. You will always be better off on your medications.

@J Bipolar disorder can cause psychoses so it is possible I guess.