Let’s talk about abusive or out of control behavior in #bipolar disorder. If the abusive behavior is about bipolar, it will always be attached to either a mania or a depression mood swing. The abusive or out of control behavior will be VERY out of character. People will say this,
“Oh my god! He did what? That is so unlike him. He is a family man. He would NEVER have an affair.
or,
“She did what in public? She took off her top in public? Are you sure that is the right person! She would never do that!”
Bipolar is a very specific illness. We have mood swings. Our mood swing behaviors are not based on our personality. Many of our mood swing behaviors will be incredibly out of character.
When we come out of the mood swing, we have thoughts like these,
“What just happened? Did I really do that?”
“Was I possessed?”
“Maybe someone spiked my drink?”
“I am so mortified/embarrassed/ashamed/upset by what happened”
“This is terrible. I am not this person! I don’t know what to do. I am so sorry!”
We will NOT say this once we are out of the mood swing:
“It’s all your fault. You are trying to pin something on me that is your problem.”
“I can do what I want. You are not the boss of me. That is none of your business. I don’t care what you think. I am not a child. You are the one who needs to grow up!”
If we talk this way we are either still sick or we have a lot more going on than bipolar.
Julie
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