Hi,

I wasn't sure where to post this thread. I've been IP for 5 days to partial hospitalization for 3 weeks from a killer manic episode. I met a few patients who claimed to be bipolar as well, but the symptoms and behavior didn't add up imo. Again this is my opinion as a fellow bipolar not a professional. I'm not trying to offend anyone. Obviously wanting to act mentally ill is not normal. I just felt invalidated and offended when I saw patients act only under observation, tell me they want to work the system, brazenly show off scratches or color them with markers to better show where they self harmed. Others were doing a lot of drugs and already drawing checks. It was really frustrating because these ppl were disruptive and just counting down the time until they could leave and get wasted or apply for aid.

Primary Psychiatry: Determination of Malingering in Disability Evaluations