Can people with bipolar disorder realize on their own that they have it??

hi cyclopz yes they know something is wrong and most go to their doctors and get diagnosed. When on their medications they are just as normal as anyone else. but without medications they are up and down and hard to get along with at times.they know they have the disease. I hope you are gentle about this as we have some mylotters who have this disease and they are great mylotters.for heavnes sakes treat them like you would any friend, treat them as you would like to be treated.they arenot something evil or slimey.

I think in the most serious cases where the mood swing is excessive that they can, but for others, who is to know whether it is the chemical imbalance like my sister-in-law in P.E.I has or the experiences in life at certain times. I know that I have low grade depression and SAD, but in that case, it depends on the weather, cloud cover, darkness - sunlight not getting all the way though. With my sister-in-law before she got treatment, it was not the weather nor was it the experiences in life or over sensitivity to some issues as my case. I do think that they do. It is nothing to be ashamed of, since it is not caused by "things I did in the foolishness of youth that I now regret." nor is it a disease caused by bad eating habits.

As someone who has struggled - and still struggles - with a possible long-term depressive condition myself, I'd like to speak of Bipolar, although everything I say from now on is according to what I have learned to date, and therefore possibly flawed. As I say from someone who has struggled with what I believe to be low-grade, long-term depression for many years now, I've perforce been interested in Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder was known known as Manic Depression, having been named after the two poles of the disorder, namely, the depressive and manic ones. And as the name suggests, a sufferer will experience both extremes of depression, and mania, which is distinguished by various symptoms including great elation, or euphoria, which can lead to colossal recklessness. I think it's possible to be diagnosed as Bipolar if one has suffered mainly depression, with only occasional -indeed rare - manic episodes. Moreover, it ranges in severity: there is Bipolar I; and Bipolar II. Severe Bipolar Disorder is from what I've gathered a very serious psychiatric condition, due to the intensity of the depressive ( and indeed manic) episodes, while the milder variety would not be so serious. I think you can compare these two types of Bipolar with Major Unipolar Depression, as distinguished from the less serious low-grade variety (from which I myself may be a sufferer). But my point is...severe varieties of both Bipolar and Unipolar depression are to be taken very very seriously indeed; and sufferers should be provided with great consideration and care. As to whether a person with this disorder knows they have it...perhaps they can suspect it. There is an online test a person can do to test for possible Bipolar Disorder; although ultimately a person can't be certain they are a sufferer until they've been professionally diagnosed. And once they have been, much can be done to help sufferers with their condition: many people of great creative genius have suffered and are still suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Another thing to be considered: Bipolar Disorder may be linked to a physical disorder, such as underactive thyroid; and I believe hypothyroidism is very common among sufferers from Bipolar Disorder. Whatever the case...I believe anyone who suspects they are suffering from Bipolar Disorder should first take the online test; and if that indicates Bipolar, see their doctor to discuss their symptoms, and so get the care they need.