[Soltjejen]

Hi!:Earlier in my life I said "I am bp". Now I say I have a bp dissorder.

[CANDC]

Hio @Soltjejen - welcome to MSF. I think that is an interesting question. I try not to identify people withl the diagnosis so I would say that I am challenged by bipolar.

CANDC

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[CANDC]

Hio @Soltjejen - welcome to MSF. I think that is an interesting question. I try not to identify people withl the diagnosis so I would say that I am challenged by bipolar.

CANDC

[If you want me to see your reply to this post please include @CANDC in your message - not in requoting my message and not the first word of your message]

[June08]

@Soltjejen Welcome to the forum! If I was going to tell someone about my diagnosis, I'd say I have bipolar disorder. But, I do catch myself thinking "I am bipolar" if I'm just thinking to myself.

[MuddyBoots]

I do either/or (well, I would say "I have bipolar disorder" for grammatical correctness. Wouldn't say "I have blue" I'd add the "eyes" to the end of that.). I don't feel like saying "I'm bipolar" defines me. I don't avoid saying "I'm hungry," or "I'm a New Hampshirite," so why shouldn't I say "I'm bipolar"? It is a part of me--I don't deny that. I accept it just like I accept my height and skin color and my shorter right leg. If other people want to add that as a judgment, that's on them.

Take a cold. People don't shy from saying "I'm sick." Sometimes they say "I have a cold," but no one tries to correct someone that says "I'm sick" to convey the same point. It might even be better because who knows if it is a cold or something else causing the illness.

[unaluna]

As you asked me this question, i would probably say, "Hey, who you callin' bipolar?!" But I kid.

[raspberrytorte]

I say either. I don't care which.

[Blitter2014]

I've contemplated this one for over two decades now. The conclusion I've come to is I have bipolar.

I say this as there are symptoms and features of bipolar that do not align with my core beliefs or values. Thus falling outside what I consider to be my authentic self. Whilst I own my actions and repercussions of them, I do not feel they are who I am. Being the best version of myself, showing up in life for myself and others, I have responsibility and accountability. Bipolar traits fall outside by abilities to have ultimate control, and hence are part of bipolar.

[Nammu]

I have brown eyes
I have bipolar

I am Norwegian
I am German

[HALLIEBETH87]

i use person first language bc i am not my disorder. now im not offended by how others say it though. but i use person first

[MuddyBoots]

Yeah. I don't get the difference. I don't feel defined by being in a cold environment if I say "I'm cold" vs "I experience a low temperature." I don't feel defined when I say "I'm hungry" instead of "I have hunger." Why should I feel defined saying "I'm bipolar" vs "I have bipolar" (which doesn't even make sense if you don't add the "disorder" word. I have bipolar what? magnetic semiconductors? transistors? membranes? motors? I know people get what you mean, but it just sounds awkward to me.)


Sorry, I got lectured on this like the first time I told someone, and I just don't get it, so now I'm oppositional when people suggest "I have hunger" is sooo much superior to "I'm hungry." It's literally just a verb change that doesn't change the meaning. Saying "I have an allergy to..." vs "I'm allergic to..." doesn't change the fact whoever is saying it gets a swollen tongue upon encounter. Changing a verb doesn't change whether I exhibit symptoms that affect my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors or not.

I'm hungry. I'm bipolar. I'm tired. I'm a blue-eyed, psychotic, oppositional, devil-advocating, glue-sniffing, fiddle-playing dumbass human-being (maybe on that last bit). ALL of that temporary because in the infinitesimal timeline of the universe, I'm here for hopefully not longer than I have to be. Does any of it solely define me? No. All of it affects me regardless of pro tem status though, but it's all a percentage. Some days bipolar affects 100% of my life. Some days 0%. Most days in between probably. Most days probably less than when I am hungry and tired.

I don't even like the term "bipolar" disorder, that's another topic but I'm already needlessly angrily rambling to get my mind off of corners. Two opposite poles. Who tf says mania and depression are opposites? What about mixed episodes--how is someone at two opposite places at the same time? That's not supposed to physically be possible at a macro-scale. What about people who only experience mania--"unipolar bipolar disorder"? Is this a mood issue or is my brain more of a type of magnet than others?


(I'm not even diagnosed with bipolar disorder, haha, I'm diagnosed with schizoaffective d/o-bipolar type and other shyt, so I can't even say "I have bipolar disorder" and be technically right anyways.)

TL/DR: I am bipolar as much as I am a pianist who needs a sandwich.

edit: I swear I'm not as obsessed as this post made it seem haha. Just bored I guess.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

both. it depends. do not obsess over the diff

[bizi]

welcome @Soltjejen