[TimTheEnchanter]

My childhood GF was diagnosed as such but for a while, I refused to believe. If anything she is cyclothymic, not BP2. As she never got depressed too much. She was a functioning person who is well off financially, never made a wrong move except had a son out of wedlock. Highly sexed (a typical BP trait) even as a 64 y.o. old lady.

Lots of things are possible with bipolar disorder. Hyperspending is a major issue for many with the disorder. I'm generally rather frugal, but I do spend a bit more when my mood heads in the manic direction, but unlike many, I have yet to spend "vast sums". I guess I call myself a "frugal hyperspender". I tend to show my manic impulsivity in other ways a bit more.

[Jedi67]

when manic, in the past, I've spent money I don't really have and I have suffered the consequences. with BP2, when the hypomania kicks in, I usually give my cash and cards to my wife, who is better at spending than I am lol. but, I can totally relate. I have yet to do any real, vast, life changing spending, tho.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi Tim!

As BirdDancer has replied, most anything is possible with Bipolar illness. We are all different in what we do.

For me, I so very rarely spend any money...ever. (BPII here.) I don't spend a lot when hypomanic, either. In all of my years, I once spent money when hypomanic. I had bought a $1000.00 item. It was something that went, almost entirely, against my own beliefs and values. I do not recall anything about buying it; however, there was a receipt and my bank account showed the expenditure. I had shocked myself by doing this.

My soon-to-be ex-husband, also BPII, spends, spends, spends! He is a spender even when not hypomanic and an even bigger spender when hypomanic. His doctors have told him, repeatedly, to let me hold the purse strings, but he loves to spend, so he is not ever going to allow me to slow him down re: spending.

So, it is very much an individual thing, despite having the same diagnostic label.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Thanks for all the replies. As a side note; isn't it amazing that two people meet in their 20's and both later are diagnosed as Bipolar? I had a lot of encounters with bipolar people just as a "coincidence" or was it?

Synchronicity?

[Jedi67]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Thanks for all the replies. As a side note; isn't it amazing that two people meet in their 20's and both later are diagnosed as Bipolar? I had a lot of encounters with bipolar people just as a "coincidence" or was it?

Synchronicity?

It was meant to be!

[Victoria'smom]

I don't spend anything (I was gifted dog food so I wouldn't have to buy more). When manic I spend. I think we attract people we can relate to. Oh as far as the depressed thing I don't get "normal" or sad depression. I get quiet and over think. I'm BP 1.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Thanks for all the replies. As a side note; isn't it amazing that two people meet in their 20's and both later are diagnosed as Bipolar? I had a lot of encounters with bipolar people just as a "coincidence" or was it?

Synchronicity?

Yes, this had happened to both me and my H. We did not know before we had started living together! He was diagnosed. I was diagnosed 15 years later, after him.

I do think our adventuresome side(s) matched very well. If we could both live with each other, we might just get along!? Lol!
We were both fun-loving and had felt very free to be ourselves around each other.

Best wishes!

[Travelinglady]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Thanks for all the replies. As a side note; isn't it amazing that two people meet in their 20's and both later are diagnosed as Bipolar? I had a lot of encounters with bipolar people just as a "coincidence" or was it?

Synchronicity?

My husband and I met in our thirties and were both later diagnosed with bipolar. And I had a friend before then (and after) who was bipolar.

[Wild Coyote]

Hey there, Tim -- I'd truly appreciate it if you didn't refer to us as "Bipolars."

If someone has cancer, we don't refer to them as "Cancers."
If someone has Cardiac problems, we don't call them "Cardiacs.."

I think you get my drift.

I am not sure of how others feel about this, but I do know that I don't like being called a "Bipolar."

Thanks so much for your consideration.

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Lots of things are possible with bipolar disorder. Hyperspending is a major issue for many with the disorder. I'm generally rather frugal, but I do spend a bit more when my mood heads in the manic direction, but unlike many, I have yet to spend "vast sums". I guess I call myself a "frugal hyperspender". I tend to show my manic impulsivity in other ways a bit more.

Same here. The most spending I recall was a serious Ebay spree. Yes, it added up, but the main telling points were that I wanted everything in a bunch of colors (27 hand fans, anyone?), and would get 2 of things in case they got scratched or something. You know, as if they were the last in the world and I couldn't just get another IF that happened, lol! I even begged one of my employers to let me hit an auction during a shift(!) VERY unlike me. I proceeded to win the item, WAAAY overpaid, then wrote to the seller about how thrilled I was (to have overpaid???! Lol!) I bought ridiculous items thinking them the most beautiful items ever. They weren't. And so on.

Normally I'm pretty frugal.

[TimTheEnchanter]

I would imagine how hard it can be to date a BP (unmedicated), I had two GFs and both were disasters but great attraction and sex. I am sure once medicated it can work fine!

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Yes, this had happened to both me and my H. We did not know before we had started living together! He was diagnosed. I was diagnosed 15 years later, after him.

I do think our adventuresome side(s) matched very well. If we could both live with each other, we might just get along!? Lol!
We were both fun-loving and had felt very free to be ourselves around each other.

Best wishes!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

I would imagine how hard it can be to date a BP (unmedicated), I had two GFs and both were disasters but great attraction and sex. I am sure once medicated it can work fine!

Well, it depends. Often times people are medicated enough-- or too much -- and have issues in the sex department. Some meds can really interfere with things like orgasms, etc.

It's a toss!

And..listen up, friend: I am NOT "a BP!!!"

C'mon, Timothy, PLEASE get with it!!!

[TimTheEnchanter]

Just for the sake of typing online I used BP, meant no offense! What would you rather be called?

P.S. I told my old GF to call me crazy mother ****er.

and check out my book title;

[yellow_fleurs]

I think the problem is saying someone is "a" bipolar instead of that the person "has" bipolar. It makes it seem like it is their entire identity and not a disorder that affects them.

[Wild Coyote]

I, personally, feel it's okay to say/write a" person with bipolar illness," OR a "person living with Bipolar illness."

I know it's more convenient to write a shorter version; yet, everyone deserves the respect due them, including YOU, Tim!!!

Others may have some different preferences. If so, I hope they will voice them, like yellow_fleurs has done above!!!

[TimTheEnchanter]

I hear you guys and on this forum, I will change the way I use the bipolar or mood disorder titulus as a person suffering from blank. You are right! I, however, will not change my book's title. Cheers!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

I hear you guys and on this forum, I will change the way I use the bipolar or mood disorder titulus as a person suffering from blank. You are right! I, however, will not change my book's title. Cheers!

Thanks, Tim!
You are a sport!

My Best to You!

[fern46]

I can see both sides. It is kinda like calling someone with diabetes a diabetic. There's no offense intended, but I imagine there are some living with diabetes that wish it wasn't used as a title.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

I hear you guys and on this forum, I will change the way I use the bipolar or mood disorder titulus as a person suffering from blank. You are right! I, however, will not change my book's title. Cheers!

Thanks for this !

It’s always been a sticking point for me like some others

[Phoenix_1]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Thanks for all the replies. As a side note; isn't it amazing that two people meet in their 20's and both later are diagnosed as Bipolar? I had a lot of encounters with bipolar people just as a "coincidence" or was it?


Synchronicity?

I was diagnosed in 2013, when I was 59. Looking back, I think some of my best friends and boyfriends were bipolar too.

[Phoenix_1]

I spent a lot of money when hypomanic. I maxed out our credit cards, and had an overdraft too. I worked in accounting my whole life, but couldn't manage my own money. Thank goodness my ex was thrifty and acted like a brake on my spending.

I divorced in 1999 and went through my inheritance in only 5 years after Dad died.

A bankruptcy and 2 repossessed cars later, I went on disability.

I had very little money and no credit, so I finally learned to budget. I live on a very small pension now. Since my meds are working, and I feel almost stable, I've been able to save nearly $1000.00. Not much, but it's better than being in the hole.