BP and happiness

I have been contemplating of what my T said recently: "people with bipolar disorder who tend to be more manic than depressed are happier than average person". I feel that she is not really getting what BP is, somehow this insults me.. like I would be taking meds, paying all those numerous visits to T just because I'm more happy than average and would like to complain about that. I feel that she has lost my trust. Or am I wrong?

I have a lot of trouble with this statement too, lacerta. Happiness is subjective, for sure, but I don't know how I've been happier, in the long term, by suffering 40 years of hypomanic episodes which cost me my marriage, career, business, and even my home. I think she's way off base with this-- exhibiting a real misunderstanding of what bipolar disorder is.

I can't speak for her, but perhaps she miscommunicated her train of thought. I know that I am generally perceived as happier than the average person (I am much more manic than depressed), but this does not mean that I am actually happier than the average person! My exaggerated happiness can quickly become paranoid anxiety, hypersexuality, anger, irrational needs for movement (which isn't always a possibility, since I work a corporate job and usually sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day), etc.

While I am very often told that I have a wonderfully pleasant demeanor and am always happy, I so very much wish this were the case. I wish people could hear the screaming that goes on inside my own head sometimes.

This sounds strange to me because my understanding is some people, while manic, can get into trouble spending too much, drive unsafely, risky sex life, and perhaps other things. Maybe her mind was off in another world when she said that.

Hmmmm. What a subjective statement she has made.

I can't speak for professionals but can only base my comments on my own personal experiences.

My mania certainly does not make me happy. I have crazy mania. Certainly no euphoria involved - unless I'm just a little bit hypo.

And after the episode comes the massive crash and self loathing over the path of destruction I have left during my mania.

Oh and getting fired / dismissed from 3 jobs ... There sure as hell is NO HAPPINESS THERE!

Depending on what kind of BP you have.... bp2 has more frequent depression. I don't think the statement your T made was accurate. Maybe discuss with T why you disagree.

I would ask for a simple worded explanation, If its still stupid , find a new Pdoc that will be more helpful.

with Christina!

Well, I don't even think I want to ask for explanation, it's not the first time I have strong feeling that she is not getting at all what BP is all about. Like someone earlier this week complained - believing that change in moods is definitely linked to triggers or something good/bad that happened to me earlier that day. And I keep telling her that for example lately I have had only bad things happening to me, sad news, etc. but I'm hypo and there's no reason for me to be happy but I just am. For prolonged period.
I'm quitting theraphy with her anyway, she suggested recently that she feels I'm ok and stable and have learned enough. I don't know... I'm lot more stable and self-conscious but still I have that feeling that I need to have some outside support, my family is not enough. I have supporting p-doc though, but it's monthly visits and of course not hour long visits.

If you've lost your trust...find someone else. Don't waste your money on someone you feel you can't rely on. Good luck!

I guess mania differs from person to person. I went to a BP support group and asked a $1 million company president if his mania was counterproductive - he said he loved it because he got more work done.

I suppose one problem with mania is poor decision-making, impulsivity and inappropriate behavior.

Now they are coming up with all sorts of disorders. You've seen that commercial regarding uncontrollable laughter and the disorder associated with it? My jaw dropped after seeing that.

Society sets the standard for happiness to a degree. Alan Watts (philosopher) talks about the mentally ill in society and how they have become outcasts in the modern world. He said that in the East the mentally ill aren't considered outcasts: people consider them touched by God and persons not to be ashamed of.