[*Beth*]

It's tiresome to me to type out "Bipolar Disorder" 20 or so times every day. So...

First off, is the disorder capitalized? As in "Bipolar Disorder"?

Second, I've traditionally used the letters "BD" to mean Bipolar Disorder, but oftentimes people confuse it with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). What is your preferred way to abbreviate?

And what about having Bipolar Disorder as opposed to being Bipolar? (Personally, I feel that I am Bipolar, as it's not something I cannot separate from the essence of my Self.)

I generally do not capitalize bipolar disorder, unless it's in a title of a thread or blog post.

As for the acronym used for bipolar disorder, there are a few out there. Many places like "Bp Magazine" use just BP. The acronyms BP1, BP2, BP-NOS are also common. I tend to use the "BP" acronym, for these reasons. Then, officially, there is BAD, meaning "bipolar affective disorder", but I'm not so fond of my illness having "BAD" as an acronym. Just my feelings. I have also, indeed, seen "BD" for bipolar disorder. "BD" makes sense, but I really think it is less commonly used than "BP", from my observations. When people write "BPD" it does indeed cause a lot of confusion. "BPD" only stands for borderline personality disorder. I think on bipolar disorder forums, members are used to people making that mistake, but do sometimes need clarification. I also think that many people with borderline personality disorder occasionally visit bipolar disorder forums.

The whole "I am [insert disorder/illness]" is an often discussed topic. One can't tell another person what they should or shouldn't say, but I am a member of the camp that does not equate myself with a disorder/illness. I always use "I have bipolar disorder". I, personally, feel that there is a heck of a lot about me that has ZERO to do with a mental illness.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I tend to use BP but I’m thinking of switching to BiP which removes any confusion with bpd......

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I generally do not capitalize bipolar disorder, unless it's in a title of a thread or blog post.

That makes sense. We don't capitalize "diabetes" or... any other medical disorder, with the exception of a disorder that includes a person's name.

As for the acronym used for bipolar disorder, there are a few out there. Many places like "Bp Magazine" use just BP. The acronyms BP1, BP2, BP-NOS are also common. I tend to use the "BP" acronym, for these reasons. Then, officially, there is BAD, meaning "bipolar affective disorder", but I'm not so fond of my illness having "BAD" as an acronym. Just my feelings. I have also, indeed, seen "BD" for bipolar disorder. "BD" makes sense, but I really think it is less commonly used than "BP", from my observations. When people write "BPD" it does indeed cause a lot of confusion. "BPD" only stands for borderline personality disorder. I think on bipolar disorder forums, members are used to people making that mistake, but do sometimes need clarification. I also think that many people with borderline personality disorder occasionally visit bipolar disorder forums.

I'm going to go with BP1, BP2 and so on. Those seem to be clear anacronyms.


The whole "I am [insert disorder/illness]" is an often discussed topic. One can't tell another person what they should or shouldn't say, but I am a member of the camp that does not equate myself with a disorder/illness. I always use "I have bipolar disorder". I, personally, feel that there is a heck of a lot about me that has ZERO to do with a mental illness.

Thank you very much, Birdie, for your thorough reply.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

I tend to use BP but I’m thinking of switching to BiP which removes any confusion with bpd......

Yes, BiP definitely stands on its own.

Something else to consider is that there's a strong push to do away with the old "borderline personality disorder" term. It is so stigmatizing, is too easily confused with bipolar disorder, and it uses outdated descriptions. I don't have BPD, but I can understand why people who have been dx'ed with it want to rename it, and I have my fingers crossed for them.

I just use "BP" since a lot of people online are familiar with that acronym... Here, Reddit, other forums... So online at least, it's pretty standard to use BP. In real life, though, I actually say "bipolar."

I couldn't care less if someone wants to say "I am bipolar" vs "I have bipolar," though. I don't think either one is "wrong" per se because it seems like 50% of people use "am" and the other 50% use "have," and everyone has their reasons for their preference. Besides that, at the end of the day, the only thing the person is trying to do is say "I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder." I do not get offended, confused, upset, or bothered with however someone wants to convey that message, as long as they have good intentions.

[Nammu]

I use BP

As for the I am V's I have I've used both. When I'm stable I tend to say I have when I'm in episode I tend to say I am. Just depends on how problematic the symptoms are.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I use BP

As for the I am V's I have I've used both. When I'm stable I tend to say I have when I'm in episode I tend to say I am. Just depends on how problematic the symptoms are.

I don't know why, but that makes me smile, the image of times of "I am" vs. "I have". It's kinda like Today I have BP; ask me tomorrow and I am BP!

Thank you, Nammu.

I appreciate the replies on this post. Now I have a clear idea of it all, rather than being stressed every time I post.

[~Christina]

I use BP as what is standard abbreviation

I refer to myself as “ I have Bipolar “

Not I am Bipolar

[Blue_Bird]

I use BP if I'm talking about bipolar

as for myself I say I have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, not am, I'm not my disorder but that's just my personal preference

[*Beth*]

Thanks!
I'm not stressing about the terms anymore

[Merlin]

I use BP and I am bipolar. I’m many things, bipolar is just one.

[Wild Coyote]

Thanks, BethRags, for starting this thread.

I tend to use BP or BPi/BPII.
I agree with BirdDancer's observation that many people living with BPD gravitate to BP forums. I am not sure of why this is the case. Maybe because people with BPD also experience mood swings. although their mood swings tend to cycle rapidly, possibly even a few times within a given day. I also feel this may have to do with the fact that many BPD forums are not very well-attended or very strong; therefore some move to a forum with more activity. Just guesses.

I tend to prefer : I am living with bipolar. It's been eye-opening to see how many prefer "I am bipolar." I will be less vigilant as to how this is expressed by visitors in the forum. It just seemed very odd to me that someone would show up writing about us, referring to us as "bipolars" or "you bipolars."

When I think about it, this also varies with other conditions: People tend to say:I am diabetic. People do not say I am heart disease.

Interesting.