[Otter63]

I made the mistake of telling my 25 year old daughter that I was playing the song "Happy" and dancing to it in the morning. She didn't say it, but I could tell she had decided that I'm manic. The conversation just withered away. I know from experience that you can't convince someone that you're not crazy.

I was depressed before, but now I really am. She'll get over it. It happened once before, but it kills me. Anyone else have this problem?

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[sideblinded]

I was misdiagnosed with bipolar many years ago and whenever I was seemingly happy or excited about something or just couldn't sleep, my doc would always see this as mania. The funny thing was, I never experienced mania until a medication induced it. When one has a diagnosis like bipolar and you feel happy or have an emotion that is bright or cheerful we are judged as being manic. It is a shame as people with bipolar can also have feelings that are happy and be quite normal. Your daughter just doesn't know that one with bipolar can have normal periods. I am sorry that you feel judged unfairly as most people don't really understand bipolar.

You are entitled to having up feelings and it doesn't mean that you are necessarily manic. Please realize that you have the right to feel whatever you feel and you don't need to deprive yourself of feeling happy. This will surely make one depressed. I hope that you are able to embrace your feelings good and bad as that is more healthy. Best wishes and I hope that you feel better soon.

[HALLIEBETH87]

It's ok to let loose and do silly things. Doesn't make you manic

[BipolaRNurse]

Yes, it's entirely possible to be happy, laughing, and having a genuinely fun time without being manic.

[Crazy Hitch]

I love the song "Happy" too Otter - I can dance around in my lounge listening to that, for no reason, what so ever - so you're not alone.

I think people are quick to assume if they know we have an MI that it must be "this" or it must be "that".

Well, as we have learnt, it just simply isn't as well defined as that.

Yes - I 100% agree with what you say - sometimes an up or down doesn't have anything to do with our MI.

What do I call that?

I call it "Life".

[Nammu]

I have that problem especially with family. They don't get it and think anything outside of a narrow zombie state is either the big D or the big M. One of the things they don't understand is bad news isn't going to trigger anything, things can be going great and Depression hits. But they don't get that and don't tell me when major family stuff comes up...that makes me feel worse! I didn't find out a favorite uncle died till weeks after the fact. It didn't trigger anything except anger at being left out.

[~Christina]

Ahh the joys of educating the masses LOL

When I got my label my husband must have lost his mind because he would attribute every emotion I had as being " Bipolar" .... Well lets just say that I had to explain to him that sure I have Bipolar but I have a right to be mad or sad or happy and it have not a damn thing to do with my Bipolar. He finally caught on and I seldom have him sounding the " Bipolar alarm"

Dancing while playing the song " Happy" is mandatory! Also dancing to "Shake it off"... More dancing is always good !

Hopefully your family will get a clue and not blame Bipolar for everything

[THE16THDOCTOR]

Yes I have many times. I'm 32 and Whenever I'm around my parents if I act even the slightest over happy they think I'm manic. It makes me feel like I cant just goof around bc then they'll think I'm decomping when I'm just in a regular plain old good mood. I'm sorry that happens to you. It stinks.