For people reading this that are not bipolar, I could use some insight on what perhaps being normal feels like? Do you get angry, have outbursts, have rage spells, get very depressed, feel worthless, hate yourself for acting like you do, or feel embarrased for your behavior?

If you have read posts here about the struggles us bp folks here deal with concerning our emotions and actions, please give us some insight on being normal.

Please don't be shy. I think we all would greatly appreciate anything you can share. In fact, it can give us a goal/challenge for us to strive in hopes to gravitate ourselves towards. As for myself, I despatately would enjoy knowing what it feels like to not have a mi.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hope you get some answers lunatic fringe!

(You might get more ppl that are non bipolar under Other Mental Health discussions?)

Just a thought.

I'd be interested in the replies to this though so thanks for putting it out there.

Thank you for this LunaticFringe

[Capriciousness]

Oooo nice idea here Lunatic. I hope somebody speaks up. Come on...if you're lurking...share something too

[raspberrytorte]

I'm interested too. Great question.

[TimTheEnchanter]

for most bipolars the low mood lasts a lot longer than the manic up mood. Not everyone has devastating lows, and some can function albeit with less energy than normal people. But perhaps none of us knows what normal really is. And this is a sad, unsettling part...

For what it's worth, having a BP friend but not having it myself, it's to do with intensity and length of your feelings that are different to mine. He gets INCREDIBLY upset about something that can upset me, but a few minutes later, I can be "meh" while he's still in the throes of feeling upset and going into the detail of whatever it was. By which time, I've lost interest and moved onto something else. He feels more deeply (or maybe I'm just insensitive/ stupid?!) and for longer. It's like his volume and tone buttons are always set to max, while I can control mine. I drive a lot for a living and although I used to get road rage, I can't afford to (because it's annoying and pointless and I don't want a heart attack with stress), so I'm able to chill out and think of something else to distract myself. He can't. His feelings seem to possess him because they're so strong. That's not always bad. He's got a lovely wife and great kids and is a really caring, loving husband and father. He just has a hard time at work and with unsympathetic people who don't see the world as passionately or as such extremes as he does.

I often feel surges of emotion but seem able to control them better than him, because they're not as intense. I don't know the reason for that apart from we're all made different.

Does that help at all? How does it feel being BP?

[lovejoy91]

Originally Posted by Lunatic Fringe

For people reading this that are not bipolar, I could use some insight on what perhaps being normal feels like? Do you get angry, have outbursts, have rage spells, get very depressed, feel worthless, hate yourself for acting like you do, or feel embarrased for your behavior?

If you have read posts here about the struggles us bp folks here deal with concerning our emotions and actions, please give us some insight on being normal.

Please don't be shy. I think we all would greatly appreciate anything you can share. In fact, it can give us a goal/challenge for us to strive in hopes to gravitate ourselves towards. As for myself, I despatately would enjoy knowing what it feels like to not have a mi.

I do not get angry quickly; it takes a long time for me to get angry, lol. I do not have outbursts because I think before I react. I do not have rage spells. I have been depressed but get over it quickly as I have faith that things will get better. You hardly see me down in the dumps. I never feel worthless because I know my self-worth. I do not hate myself because I'm confident with my choices no matter what the consequences are. I never feel embarrassed with my actions. I'm goofy as hell. I get over things quickly versus dwell on them.

There is no such thing as being normal. Everyone's way of being normal is different but I understand your prospective of being normal by regulating emotions. My philosophy is to live life to the fullest and love yourself because who will? When I read you guys' posts, it makes me sad that you are going through so much. I may not be able to relate but I am willing to understand what bipolar is and how to help those who have it. My major deals with health.