Which is dangerous between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and why?!


Question: Which is dangerous between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and why?
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It really does depend on the individual. In general though Schizophrenia is probably more dangerous as people tend to not only hurt themselves but other people due to possible hallucinations and paranoia whereas Bipolar sufferers tend to be more a danger to themselves than others. This is not to say that either can't be dangerous if not treated and kept check on by professionals. Both are severe disorders that can mean the person suffering can end up in a psychiatric hospital should they prove a danger to themselves and other people.

Bipolar disorder is categorised by severe mood swings that can cause the sufferer to be so depressed they cant get out of bed to even do basic things like eat, drink or go to the bathroom and on the other side of things they can have severe highs where they believe they are invincible so may pick fights with the wrong person, believe they can fly etc and put themselves in danger. The worst possible episode for a bipolar person is a mixed episode which is where they are suicidally depressed but have the energy and impulse of a manic episode which is when most bipolar patients attempt suicide but very rarely do they try and hurt others.

Schizophrenia is usually thought of as being some dangerous lunatic who mutters to themselves, stinks and is dirty and sees and hears things no one else can. This is only partly true as this paints more a picture of all possible symptoms in one rather than an 'average' case. Generally there are visual and/or auditory hallucinations that although come from the mind look and sound completely external to the Schizophrenic like talking to another real person. They also tend to become introverted and less likely to take care of themselves which leads to social exclusion and the tendency to stay shut away in their own homes barely leaving to even talk to family. If they become paranoid though they can have psychotic breaks (which are rarer in Bipolar people) which can cause them to become a danger to either themselves or anybody they perceive to be a threat i.e. thinking the postman is an alien trying to poison them through the post causing them to attack the postman to protect themselves and others. However Bipolar people can suffer paranoia and delusions as well but it tends to be less common than in those with Schizophrenia.

I hope this very long winded answer has answered your question and provided you with some interesting information :)

Schizophrenic Grandmother, Bipolar friend and an A-Level and interest in Psychology



schizophrenia, Is dangerous because you hallucinate and you fear things and people that are not a danger to you. Bipolar disorder, or manic depression as it was called you have highs that you get way too happy, and then you get depressed without warning. both are dangerous, but schizophrenia, is much worse you are a ticking time bomb and you see and hear things that make you distrust everyone,even yourself.



schizophrenia is DEFINITLY more dangerous. It's because it's a disease that makes you hallucinate, and sometimes you'll see something over and over that tells you to kill yourself. Bipolar is a far less dangerous disorder that is basically just mood swings.

Dad's a doctor mom was a nurse in a psychiatric hospital.



Its dangerous if you have them both, I am bipolar and before i got put on meds i was crazy my moods were uncontrollable really hyper and happy to really angry to really depressed it makes you tired and lash out on people..
Schizophrenia is pretty scary to my aunt has it and she doesn't take her meds anymore... it is voices thats your own conscious telling you things to do to other people and to yourself we have had to put her in a mental health facility a few times for her saying she has to hurt herself and her kids.
It can be dangerous if either one go untreated.




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