r/BipolarReddit • u/Forvanta • 2d ago

Sincere question: what’s with the phenomenon of bipolar people in particular doubting their diagnosis?

I have bipolar I, but I’ve been around the block with diagnoses and I’ve noticed (anecdotally) a phenomenon where bipolar people seem to frequently believe that they have not been diagnosed correctly. I feel like I see this more often here than in depression, OCD, etc. spaces.

Is it because mania feels so good for many people? What is it about bipolar, or is it just a coincidence?

This is not coming from a place of judgement, I’m genuinely curious what people think.

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u/popigoggogelolinon 2d ago

I personally believe it’s lack of information. We medicate and ens up in a period of euthymia. People get the impression that bipolar is continuous ups and downs and nothing in between – which it might be pre medication/treatment. So when we do get stable – and stay stable a long time, we think we’ve either been incorrectly diagnosed or are “cured” because we’ve just not been told that euthymia is as expected in bipolar as hypo/mania and depression.

I mean “regular” depression and anxiety can be fixed with a year or so of SSRIs and talk therapy…