Life expectancy of those afflicted with Bipolar Disorder

Many people stay alive for "others" Like there "kids" , or" spouses" , "friends" "pets"etc.. WHATEVER keeps a person alive is an acceptable reason.

So you are saying that one with a mental health issue is obliged to suffer so their friends and family do not (and selfishly I must ad)have too? I am sorry, I think not. Personally I am not going to stay alive for anybody's sake. That is the most illogical thing I have heard. Grief is a selfish emotion and I am not going to live a life of torment so someone else is spared a tear.

Selfish, on my part, yes, but I have to live with the disorder and they don't. Addressing my health as I see fit is my responsibility. I can't make decisions based on how it affects others. They are not fighting it, I am.

Everyday all day we make decisions on how we interact with people thus affect others. Why would this be any different?

Many people stay alive for "others" Like there "kids" , or" spouses" , "friends" "pets"etc.. WHATEVER keeps a person alive is an acceptable reason.

As I understand it, our lowered life expectancy is due to several factors, as mentioned in previous posts. We're more likely than the average person to commit suicide; we are prone to stress and thus more likely to suffer cardiogenic illnesses such as congestive heart failure and heart attacks; and we are more likely to have metabolic syndrome, which predisposes us to diabetes.....and we all know what diabetes can do to a person.

Our meds also can be toxic to our livers and kidneys AND contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome/diabetes. There is a shortage of qualified psychiatrists---in my area alone, we have 4 for a population of well over 100,000 people. That means unless you're acutely ill, you can't get in to see one of them for an average of six months. On top of all that is the fact that many go untreated because they are without jobs and health insurance, and yet not sick enough to be eligible for disability and Medicare/Medicaid. Add all these factors together and it's no wonder we're statistically at higher risk of premature death than the general population.

I guess I am confused .. are you looking for support ? or arguing the right to suicide ?

Also Lithium can have long term side effects on your kidneys and thyroid.

Vigo... dark_heart is being kind and innocent in answering your post. Any thread started is an invitation for discussion, yes no?

I would assume the reason for shortened lifespan to be suicide... I have no studies to sight. but what if it's toxicity from all the meds... or the stress levels we experience... or the higher instances we're in hospitals exposed to germs... or hypersexuality leading to too many orgasms and heart attack. I would like to know too.

Vigo - you are reminding me of my teenage son when he's pissed off giving the middle finger to the world. maybe you should smoke a giant fatty and chill, water the garden, seems to work for him...

I've been welcoming, reaching out to you and offering support since your first post here. But ok, I will block you as well, if I can figure out how. Good bye.

If this is a place for comfort I don't want to see the alternative. I ask for info and I get this. Even though, I am not angry, just frustrated that my original post was answered mostly with irrelevancies.

And you I will promptly block

Instead of blocking left right and centre, I would log out until my claws have retracted... No, I'm not being a biatch, I just dont see the point of posting when your goal is to alienate and antagonize members who are being supportive, and I know, I know you dont recognize the support, but nobody is obligated to respond, yet many did, regardless of your insulting manner. Orrrr just carry on as is and eventually you'll have blocked the entire bp board... Just saying# Goodluck