I am wondering how many of you would trade in bipolar for a "normal" mood life.

Despite all the suffering and bad times, I am not sure if I would trade it in, I thought I probably would, but the more I think about it, I am not sure I would, I think I would keep the bipolar. Is that ridiculous, I feel like it makes up a big part of my personality, maybe I am wrong here. I mean who would I be if I never had Bipolar, would I be someone else.

[venusss]

probably not. love intensity. Both ways.

and to never again be able to feel the world turn... I would miss that dearly.

I started a simmilar thread not long ago http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=198975

I would trade for normal (whatever that is) in a heartbeat.

[onlymedid]

Nah, I wouldn't trade it in because I am too scared of what "normal" is! I know what it's like to be Bipolar and can handle the ups and downs.

[BNLsMOM]

It's the only way I know how to be. I don't think I would trade it.

[foreverbp]

I can't imagine a life without bipolar. It's just a part of who I am.

[SunAngel]

I wouldn't change a thing because it made me who I am, and I think I am pretty much okay.

Absolutely

[Cnytroxy1973]

I'll trade.... any takers???

[adiamond]

You bet I'd dump bipolar in a heart beat. No more stigma. No more worrying about meds. Pdoc and therapist appointments. No more "feeling different" from everyone. I would not have to worry about a bipolar pregnancy. My academic career would not be finished. Bipolar has been nothing but a noose around my neck despite the fact I have had the best treatment team money and luck could find.

[kykid]

I wouldn't trade my bipolar for anything Anika. I am more than just bipolar, although at times this is hard to remember.

My illness has had a positive effect on me in that it has made me more tolerant of others. I find it much easier to overlook others faults (I only hope everyone will overlook my faults). I am much more kind and understanding than before my illness. It is hard to admit, but I was more selfish before onset of my bipolar illness.

Besides, the illness is now under control with a good combination of meds. I still get all the benefits (compassion, understanding, less self critical, etc.) with none of the downside.

I am even exploring the idea of getting a degree in Social Work and using that to enter a practice where I can counsel those with mental illness. I can then put some of my personal knowledge to good use. Just an idea.

Besides, like my dad says, "What exactly is 'normal anyway'"?

[Ryask]

In a heartbeat

[Yoda]

Yes I would trade bipolar for normal. It would save me lots of money to not have to take all my meds.

[wing]

I'd so love to be normal...hopefully in the next life...

[AbeIsAbe]

I dont believe that there is a single positive thing that comes from my bipolar. So yes, I would trade it. It was only a year ago when I was last "normal". So I can still taste it.

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

It's the only way I know how to be...

This. Exactly. It's all I know.
I wouldn't know what I was trading for really. What would I lose? What would I gain? Don't know for sure.

[thinker22]

I would like to trade in the meds and not being productive. I don't mind having bipolar disorder though. Except when I'm suicidally depressed. Mania rocks!

[ohlala]

Yes I would trade it in. It's really screwed up my decision making ability along the way but woulda, shoulda, coulda...

[widgets]

Without bipolar I wasn't normal.
I'd get rid of it in a heart beat for what I was, I was just crazy all the time, hypo manic all day every day, until I was 19 with short but intense states of depression.
Now I'm either nothing, depressed, dysphoric or in a mixed state.
I know my anxiety is a symptom of bipolar.
I think my OCD is a symptom of it.
The fact I have about 40% of my personality left and much less social ability, more dependant on other people and less confined is definitely the effect of bipolar.
I'd trade bipolar to get The old me back, but I'd rather be bipolar that other peoples definition of normal. Because I can't see how that would be better.

[foreverbp]

Originally Posted by kykid

I wouldn't trade my bipolar for anything Anika. I am more than just bipolar, although at times this is hard to remember.

My illness has had a positive effect on me in that it has made me more tolerant of others. I find it much easier to overlook others faults (I only hope everyone will overlook my faults). I am much more kind and understanding than before my illness. It is hard to admit, but I was more selfish before onset of my bipolar illness.

Besides, the illness is now under control with a good combination of meds. I still get all the benefits (compassion, understanding, less self critical, etc.) with none of the downside.

I am even exploring the idea of getting a degree in Social Work and using that to enter a practice where I can counsel those with mental illness. I can then put some of my personal knowledge to good use. Just an idea.

Besides, like my dad says, "What exactly is 'normal anyway'"?

This is exactly why I became a social worker. I've been there and feel I'm able to help others work through their own mental illness.

[~Christina]

Im 44 years old recently diagonosed BiPolar ,,altho I am aware that thru out my life ( looking back now) I was certainly Bipolar I absolutly would give it up .. I despise it . Im so low right now im sick of the whole mess ,, a week ago this time I was manic as all get out .. I cant handle the rapid cycling .

I see my Y tomorrow and hopefully he can help me cope better im just unable to funtion.. i feel so down .

[vanessaG]

i would trade it in a heartbeat. i HATE my bipolar and this crazy rollercoaster that im living.

maybe i would feel different if it was under control.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Anika

I am wondering how many of you would trade in bipolar for a "normal" mood life.

Despite all the suffering and bad times, I am not sure if I would trade it in, I thought I probably would, but the more I think about it, I am not sure I would, I think I would keep the bipolar. Is that ridiculous, I feel like it makes up a big part of my personality, maybe I am wrong here. I mean who would I be if I never had Bipolar, would I be someone else.

I was thinking this today. They say not to make it who you are, but I see so much of myself in other bipolars- the stuff that people love about me, creative, witty, entertaining, musical... what's not to love about that? Sometimes I feel like I'm an alien and then I get diagnosed with bipolar and I've found the kindred aliens!

[sugahorse1]

I'd definitely trade

[Confusedinomicon]

I don't think I'd trade it.
I think a year ago I would have said, 'yes', but I've learned to work with it and know how to deal with the symptoms.

The only reason I'd trade it is if I have children. I don't want them to experience what I have.