do you think bipolar is fake?

[Anonymous]

Or do you think people use it as an excuse?

[Anonymous]

I'm bipolar so no it's not fake. I believe a lot of people self diagnose(thank you Internet) and use bipolar as an excuse to act out.

[Anonymous]

Oh, gosh, no it is not. It is a real, organic illness! What makes you think it is fake?

[Anonymous]

No, but I do think it's ridiculously over diagnosed.

[Anonymous]

growing up with a mother who us bi polar, i can tell you it is not fake, or an excuse for anything. it is a living nightmare.

[k_hall1784]

Well, it's real. But as with anything. you have people who lie about having it or you have those who have been misdiagnosed so it seems like "everyone has it."

[Lurion]

My sister is bipolar and I struggle with how much of how she behaves is her bipolar and how much is just what she thinks she can get away with. 

Many of the things she does, are simply things everyone did when they were about 14, but outgrew as they got older.  

What do YOU think, OP?

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

the very definition of mental illness is not being able to control themselves.

Quoting bitchezbecrazy:

I do think people use at as an excuse. just because you have a mental illness doesnt mean you need to act on it and be all crazy, plenty of people have mental illnesses and control their behavior.

[blazenangel5]

It's real but cried wolf upon too often I believe. My mom is a perfect example. She's fine until she has to do something she don't want to or justify her shitty behavior then she blames the bipolar.

[Owl_Feather]

I think it's real. I dated a bipolar guy and he was C R A Z Y. some people might use it as an excuse, but it's the same with many diseases imo.

[Anonymous]

No I am ... but refuse to let my family Dr. know that,.