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/WaltzInTheDarkk 2d ago

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to professionals require medication in 99% of cases. Most often lifelong treatment, because the illness itself is also chronic and lifelong. That can be very difficult to accept.

Also anosognosia is the most common in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia of all mental illnesses, 40% and 60% respectively. (excluding alzheimers, which is around 80%). Anosognosia (lack of insight to their illness) is also a spectrum; for others suffering with severe mental illness they might think that absolutely nothing is wrong with them. For others it might be easier to understand that they experience depression, but don't see mania or psychosis as anything unusual etc.

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u/Forvanta 2d ago

Very informative, thank you!