Do people with bipolar know they have it???????!

Many people with bipolar disorder are self aware!. This distinguishes it from other mental disorders such as psychosis and certain forms of schizophrenia!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

I ended up having to diagnose myself, when I had a classic case of bipolar disorder, with very severe symptoms!. That still ticks me off (there is no question it is bipolar, and the psychiatrist was kicking himself for missing the diagnosis!. This was in the pre-internet days, so it was hard for me to get the information)!. I think most bipolar folks know they have depression, it is the mania that is the trouble!. Also, a person may not realize how extreme their behavior is - they may think they are behaving normally or just a little bit off, but their relatives are begging them to go back on their meds!. I only get hypomania, so I think I am usually pretty spot-on on my behavior!.

So the answer!? Some do, and some don't!. I think it depends on how much psychosis they get, if any, thier intelligence, and their willingness to trust what loved ones are telling them about their odd behaviors!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

Denial is common, especially in the manic stage, but yes people with bipolar often do know!.!.!.!.!.or at least know SOMETHING is wrong!. I figured it out like a year before i was diagnosed because i started charting my moods, because i knew my moods were off and i had suicidal thoughts and depression, and i thought it was associated with my irregular menstrual cycle and hormones!. But then after months of charting i pretty much knewWww@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

Not really, I am bi-polar and when I started getting symptoms, I didn't know what was the matter with me!. I was really freaking out, literally, and wondering what was happening to me!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

I believe a person can have bi-polar and not be aware they have it!. Sometimes we're so wrapped up in our own existence that we fail to see things from an objective point of view, I guess that's why we go see doctors ;)Www@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

If they have been diagnosed they will logically know that they have it, but often times deny having bipolar especially while in the manic state!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

most defiantly not cause there are so many girls at my school are bp and when i tell them they freak outWww@Answer-Health@Com

---

---

i don't think i am bp
but
they say i am
so i guess not
i just thought i was depressedWww@Answer-Health@Com

---

---