Are Bipolars Crazy? I Am.

Thank You. I think I prefer crazy as well. Mentally ill is so stigmatizing and I agree I simply perceive things differently. However, I think there are so many sick and mentally ill folks out there that are ashamed and don't get help. These are the people that like to micro-manage and control others and then they say things like "Norma...I have known you for a long time". Passive aggressive insults when they are mentally ill or crazy but workaholics in denial................ call me what you want but don't say you know me because I am the only expert on me!

You make a good point, Natasha. I like 'crazy' to some extent but the word, like 'mentally ill' or even 'mental health problems/issues', has its downside. In some ways, the problem you have raised is one of language. There is a world of language associated with attempts to describe one's experience with BPD over the short term or over a lifetime.
For me the words short term apply to: today, this week and this month; medium term applies to a period of two months to a year and the two words long term applies to all the time after one year in my personal medical history, retrospectively or prospectively. I try, as far as it is logically possible to use the term mental health or mental distress and not mental illness. This has been a recent emphasis in mental health discussions and in the literature.
There is also the problem of the use of complex language. The field of mental health is replete with complex terminology. It is helpful for those with different types of mental health problems to become as familiar as they can with this language. I try for the most part to use simple language—but I do not always achieve this aim.
A good example of the language difficulties at the complex end of the spectrum is the following paragraph which discusses the neurobiological bases of behavioural differences. The language used by specialists is often way over one’s head, both the head of the sufferer from BPD and the heads of others wanting to understand the disability. (See Erik Kandel, “A Biology of Mental Disorder,” Newsweek, June 27, 2009; and C. Langan & C McDonald, “Neurobiological Trait Abnormalities in BPD,” Molecular Psychiatry, Vol. 14, pp. 833–846, published online on 19 May 2009)
These two sources provide many excellent examples of this language complexity. The abstract of this article with this complex language is as follows: “Dissecting trait neurobiological abnormalities in BPD from those characterizing episodes of mood disturbance will help elucidate the aetiopathogenesis of the illness. This selective review highlights the immunological, neuroendocrinological, molecular biological and neuroimaging abnormalities characteristic of BD, with a focus on those likely to reflect trait abnormalities by virtue of their presence in euthymic/normal patients or in unaffected relatives of patients at high genetic liability for illness. Trait neurobiological abnormalities of BPD include heightened pro-inflammatory function and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunction.”
Language is a problem not only with respect to mental illness but also with respect to many other complex problems in society. KISS, keep it simple stupid, does not solve all problems. Whom the gods would destroy they first make simple and then simpler and then simplest. I will leave this problem here.

Hi Alistair, another great comment:
"People don’t like the word “crazy” because we live in the age of Politically Correct speech and the term crazy is beautiful in its clarity, honesty, and raw accuracy."
I would tend to agree. I despise political correctness. I have no desire to hurt others but I'm tired of wrapping everything in wool just so that some overly-sensitive person doesn't get offended. I'd say intent, in language, means a lot more than people give it credit for. But then, that would be grey, and not black and white like everyone seems to like.
"by going far into the jungle of insanity so many times I have learned more about real life - and real mental health - than most of the square shooters and so - though still technically bipolar - I am a hell of a lot more grounded and sane than most of the people I encounter every day."
I think that too. Odd. Could just be a greater part of insanity ;)
- Natasha

Hi Norma,
I agree, "mental illness" is stigmatizing, but it shouldn't be. I hate the term personally, but as far as its meaning goes, it's about as reasonable as anything else.
If people want to use it as an insult, try replacing it with "cancer" and throwing it back at them. It's just an illness, like any other.
- Natasha

Hi Natasha,
This morning I engaged myself in learning the language of "crazy" by reading your blog and associated comments. Wow! I am truly inspired by the pure pluck and honest courage of those who have shared. I have been a mental health worker and a consumer of mental health products over the past 35 years. Whether teaching life skills to my patients or coping with my own mental health challenges, I too have been turned off by the appellation "Mental Illness". Anti-seizure medications (among other things that my psychiatrist and I have agreed upon like that I have had undiagnosed bipolal disorder for 30 of the last 35 yrs) leave little doubt that I get to have life saving medications to help bring my diseased brain into order. The attitude not mentally ill but "Crazy" has been just the right opportunity to get busy and do the next right thing. The term "Mental Illness", on the other hand, seems more like a sentence and may become an excuse for inaction. "Well, you said I was ill." Trust me Mental Health workers and their clients have more compassionate ways to develop self esteem.

my doctor went me to going to hospital i sade no way she sade there can make there no let me there can not please

Hi Michael-Pearson,
I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure what you're saying, but if you're in crisis, please call a help line. They can listen to you and refer you to more local supports:
http://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-referr…
- Natasha

Norm,
Thanks for the comment. I enjoy anyone who uses the word "pluck."
"The attitude not mentally ill but “Crazy” has been just the right opportunity to get busy and do the next right thing."
Hey, that sounds like a big bonus to me. If "crazy" spurs action, it gets an extra vote from me.
- Natasha

Here is an example of the problem of the complexity of language at the other end of the scale, the medical scale. It is difficult to win in the field of mental health: either you go to the too simplistic and labelling end of things or you go to the too complex stuff as below.-Ron
-------------------------
This is an abstract of an article with its complex language: “Dissecting trait neurobiological abnormalities in BPD from those characterizing episodes of mood disturbance will help elucidate the aetiopathogenesis of the illness. This selective review highlights the immunological, neuroendocrinological, molecular biological and neuroimaging abnormalities characteristic of BPD, with a focus on those likely to reflect trait abnormalities by virtue of their presence in euthymic/normal patients or in unaffected relatives of patients at high genetic liability for illness. Trait neurobiological abnormalities of BPD include heightened pro-inflammatory function and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunction.”
------------------------------------

It has been said that Merriweather Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame was bipolar. He was the "pluckier" of the two, as I recall. Here is one example of greatness in BPD history!
"The official leader of the epic Lewis and Clark Expedition, Meriwether Lewis has been called 'undoubtedly the greatest pathfinder this country has ever known.'" PBS website

Here are some more sufferers from bipolar disorder:
Steve Jobs, founder/CEO of Apple
Tiger Woods, Winningest Golfer in History
Bono, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee & Singer for U2
Oprah Winfrey, Billionaire & Media Mogul
Al Gore, Vice President & Nobel Prize Winner
Howard Stern, Shock Jock & "King of all Media"
Paul McCartney, Singer, Songwriter, Beatle
Phil Jackson, NBA coach
Russell Simmons, a hip-hop entrepreneur and meditation evangelist
----------------------
Here's a list of more well-known people, according to Garret LoPorto an authority in the field:
Jim Carey, Robert Downey Jr., Patty Duke, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Ludwig Von Beethoven, Francis Ford Coppola, Ted Turner, Buzz Aldrin, Peter Gabriel, Jimi Hendrix, Axl Rose, Sting, Sylvia Plath, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Jane Pauley, Mark Twain, Virginia Woolf.-Thanks to Garret LoPorto, CEO, Media for Your Mind, Inc. Author of The DaVinci Method. The National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI) can also add many people to these lists.

Good point you got there girl :)

Very nicely written. I believe you saw the same ABC article I saw right before finding this one. Your metaphors are accurate and insightful. I have been thought of as crazy due to having bipolar disorder, also I have resented the term crazy. I like the actual definition of crazy. However it is worth noting that when most people say something they do not always know the proper definition. Most people have a very negative connotative definition of crazy from their own personal experiences. The average uninformed person would define crazy in a menner that I would not want to be branded under, and from reading your writing here, I doubt you want that branding as well. Beware of the public's crazy.

I really like this post distinguishing between the mind and the brain. I think this is the key to destigmatizing what our culture now calls "mental illness." Mental refers to mind and our mind is often associated to our soul and identity. To be labeled as "mentally ill" essentially strips us of our identity, our soul, our very human consciousness. The brain, however, is a tangible piece of anatomy like any other body part that can become diseased, often from no fault of our own. Calling them brain diseases is much more accurate and would go so much further in protecting the dignity of our souls and identity; separate from the behavior manifested from an organ that is disordered or diseased. Saying I have depression (aka mental illness) immediately makes people judge my person, my identity, my will. They automatically think of me as mentally defective; thought by many to be a matter of attitude and willpower. No one blames a cancer patient for being sick and tired. Mentally ill people are often perceived as lazy and mentally incapable. But if we can use terminology that highlights the organ (brain) and physiological chemicals and hormones that aren't healthy (not the person's mind so often associated with will and soul), "mental illness" could be more properly perceived as a disease instead of the identity stealing ("mental") euphemism ("illness").

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I personally use the phrase "bag of crazy" because it remains tied up most of the time but sometimes, a little spills out

I cop to both 'Crazy' and 'Brain Broken' - sometimes cooperatively and sometimes in conflict. I have more alphabet soup diagnosis attached to my head than there are in a can of Campbells(tm). I particularly like definitions 8 and 9.
8. having an unusual, unexpected, or random quality, behavior, result, pattern, etc.: a crazy reel that spins in either direction.
–noun
9. Slang. an unpredictable, nonconforming person; oddball
My seemingly random, unexpected, senseless behavior may look like that from the outside, but for me, at that time, it fits into my Big Picture.

I look back on the days before I was diagnosed and I was definately crazy. I was positively deranged. I can't believe that doctors didn't pick it up when I was a child. Today I am medicated but still crazy but not impulsive and I'm okay with that.

Well, I can't keep up with some of the other comments- too smart for me, but I do have an opinion. I call myself crazy. Others can call me crazy if it is coming from someone I love and they are using it in a lighthearted way. If someone calls me crazy and I know they are being mean spirited and derogatory, that does not go over too well. I may be one of those sensitive ones you talked about. I will blame that on the Bipolar. :) I loved this line, "Me, I’m fine. Just a bit crazy, that’s all." My brother in law hates that I call my cupcake business, Crazy Lady Cupcakes. He says he takes offense at that. Hmmm...not sure why he would be taking offense. I told him sometimes I need to laugh about it or I would cry. I am intrigued with your thoughts on mind/brain separation. I would love to hear more about that in a future post.

Hi Dina,
Well, others will take offence to our words, I have found, but that doesn't mean we have to stop using them. I agree with you in that it's all in the context. And who wouldn't want a "Crazy Lady Cupcake!"
The mind/brain separation has been one of my more interesting lessons from my mental illness.
You can read more about it here, but keep in mind that this is my own personal blog and not in any way affiliated with HealthyPlace:
http://natashatracy.com/mental-illness-issues/brain-vs-mind/mind-brain-split-enlightenmen…
- Natasha

THANK YOU! This is great, made me laugh! However, sometimes I do feel like my brain is oozing out my ears!

I understand and respect your opinion. I used a very similar line of reasoning for quite a few years until I found out about neuroplasticity. Basically, we have the ability to change how our "broken brains" work and have the real possibility of healing them. One such tool that I used in Recovery is Mindfulness meditation. I now no longer suffer as I once did from out of control mood swings and have been med free since February of this year.
I also use Peer Support, WRAP(Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and take a holistic approach to my health. No longer do I think of myself as "crazy", "broken" or "mentally ill", but rather "Boris".
Recovery is possible.
Thanks:)

Post-cranial drip.... Whoahahaha! Fabulous
Crazy I was only when I was psychotic, only once. I'm a pretty serious person, really. But creative, yes. In hypomania I just talk louder and faster, laugh and cry more and work harder if I wouldn't stop myself.
Your brainly ill (not dripping yet),
Miranda

I really don't care what people use to label a bipolar as myself...everyone has opionions. Most are uneducated thoughts or statements. People who are not educated about Bipolar disorder are simply afraid of what they don't know! It's amazing and quite sad actually how little people understand or know about affective disorders,manic depression,bipolar etc. whatever term you might use. I believe its our duty so to speak to educate society on us CRAZYS! I don't consider myself as CRAZY,mental,insane really. I am just me!!! I have always been just me. I know nothing else but ME.

Thank you. You are great. I just found you, but needed to about 20 years ago! I'm going to keep reading. I spend so much time hiding the craziness to seem normal, it's good to know others feel the same.

Heck, what we want is people to be in the bell curve. Sadly, that means those who think they are sane, when in reality, they cause more harm to others then any.
Like Megalomaniacs, or Priests or others that people worship without question ---show me the heart of the man or woman, their intentions and dreams. That is what counts in the end
Nuts or creatively Male Adjusted to Crazy Society and Human Race!

Heck, what we want is people to be in the bell curve. Sadly, that means those who think they are sane, when in reality, they cause more harm to others then any.
Like Megalomaniacs, or Priests or others that people worship without question ---show me the heart of the man or woman, their intentions and dreams. That is what counts in the end

ty so much for this inlightening blog made my day

I disagree.
I think many people think people like Charles Manson when they hear crazy or the dude that killed John Lennon.
I was rather disappointed & surprised how many people accepted crazy over mentally ill or simply,just bipolar ...I refer to myself as BIPOLAR.
I think if I were crazy I would be electric chair material not ECT material.
I totally am offended by the C word as I call it.
I know my family would agree with me on this,as would my Drs. & support team.
Honestly,it's made me pretty upset,so I'm going to post this.
Yes I'm outspoken ...in ALL AREAS OF LIFE.

I guess I'm fine being crazy, but still I don't really know what it means to have hypomania. I use to be and smoke weed and feel free, but now when I do I really trip out, do any of y'all know why?

In my own space - I call myself crazy; but if I used that word in public or to my family, everyone would scatter like dried leaves in the wind. Heck, even my therapist would object to that "word" - and in reality, saying you are mentally ill conjures up images of a serial killer or child molester, etc. in the minds of the uneducated about our illness. Regardless of what it's called, neither provides comfort to others. You may as well say you have the plague, you would get the same reaction, - everyone would run like hell in the other direction. Yes, I am crazy, and that is okay with me - however, being PC is a fact of life, so saying nothing (for me) in public or to family, works for me.

An interesting read indeed. I hope more people thinks the way you think. Cause, it's so sad and demoralizing when people (in laws esp) treats me like a sick freak (who chose to be depressed for No Apparrent Reason- though they r the main cause), with nothing but a sick brain, sick mind. It also doesn't help when they and goes around spreading to their friends, other relatives,.. etc. I hope I can change my mindset to be like you, so positive.

Yes. I love this. I'm so glad I found it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. :D

Thank you for validating how I've been feeling about having bipolar illness. Thinking it is one thing. Saying it out loud takes some getting used to.

I'm diagnosed as Bipolar disorder. could you tell me am i crazy?
don't try to be the good human in a situation needs truth......thanks

Personally, I prefer "insane," but it isn't complimentary or adverse; just realistic. My bipolar disorder was early-onset, in my early childhood, and has only intensified as I have grown. I have learned that it is important for anyone who is required to be around me for an extended period of time (professionally, mainly) to know that I am, in fact, not sane, or "insane." It is important because, for a long time, I was embarrassed/fearful of people knowing this about me and, consequently, I had lost many jobs. Now, I am transparent on the matters of my faulty brain, explaining my inevitable, uncontrollable behavior in advance so they can decide whether or not it is something they are willing to tolerate. It saves both parties (myself and them) a lot of time.

I like your take on it. Sometimes I think that maybe we are more normal than than the “same” ones. I’m an Empath. I’m an incredibley sensitive to the Harmonic Resonance created by others magnetic fields. Those electromagnetic fields are directly related to people’s emotions. There is allot of pain in this world. There is negativity and evil everywhere you turn. Is it really odd to be sensitive to these sorts of things? In my “crazy mind”, it’s quite the opposite. How could you not be affected by it. I voice my feelings. I don’t even have to most times, the whole room can just feel me....vibes/electromagnetic field/the harmonic resonance my spirit produces. My happy term is “gifted”. It’s a blessing and a curse. I really liked your article. New to this site. I will be hanging around. I struggling daily, doing my best to work through the depression side. I’m BiPolar 2, PTSD, major anxiety....they all read the same to me. All seem to be connected in my interpretation. Thank You for sharing. ?

Being called crazy sends lightning down my spine. It is hard to maintain composure. Reading this brings a positive spin on memories. I appreciate this article.