[Winter Faerie]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, but I am told it us normal bipolar behaviour and I wanted to ask people who might know from experience.

While my psychiatrists assure me it's probably my bipolar I, they also used to assure me what was actually bipolar (hallucinations/delusions included) was just anxiety before I was practically admitted. I'm not inclined to blindly take their word anymore.

Anyway, the issue lately has been based around my weird eating habits. I recently decided to stop starving myself or throwing up, but to be healthy and positive instead. As with attempts in the past I've suddenly become intensely paranoid of the people around me, and hallucinations related to my body have gotten worse. If I don't check the mirror at close intervals I can feel my body changing shape and size, or I begin to see myself swell like a balloon. I'm panicky and I don't feel like I can do anything or go anywhere without making it start up again.

I don't really feel like this is consistent with bipolar but I want it to stop and when I mention it to my care team they either say it's part of the bipolar and will go away, or that it's normal, or not to worry about it. I want it to stop, I've done so much damage to my body, and I don't know if I should accept their interpretation or try and make them listen.

Does anyone else have this? Is it part of bipolar? Will it go away...?

[Travelinglady]

I'm Bipolar II and I've never had anything like that.

[~Christina]

Are you currently on any Medication? Med sideeffects maybe? Your eating disorder(s) could certainly be what is causing you the " body image" hallucinations. It's a good thing you stopped. Do you have a Therapist?

I'm sorry you are going through all of this.

Welcome to PC

[Odee]

Is there ANYTHING consistent about bipolar?

I can see that as being part of your bipolar or at least a matrix of mental struggles for you that include your bipolar.

[Anneinside]

Experiencing hallucinations means that you are psychotic. It is possible to be bipolar and experience psychosis. If you are bipolar then the episodes of psychosis would only be present when you are manic or depressed. When your mood is "normal" you would not be psychotic. If, however, you are "normal" and psychotic but have experienced manic and depression then you would be diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder. If you don't have mood episodes but do have psychosis you would be labeled schizophrenic.