why does everyone think they have bi-polar?

[H]

I was reading though some of the questions in this mental health bit recently after the eastenders story line stacey suffering with bi-polar.



Now i see lots of questions people thinking they suffer by it especially young teens, so i read their questions and they don't actually sound like they have anything wrong with them at all. It annoys me slightly because most of them are young teens have no idea of what hard work and stress means yet and theres people who actually suffer from.

Before the eastenders storyline came out i didn't really see question relating to bipolar but i think bipolar would be a lot worse in real life than some soap.

[TanyaS263]

People think they have bi-polar because the most they know about it is the mood changes. My cousin has a pretty bad case of bi-polar and he was diagnosed young because of it, but his doctor said that it was difficult to diagnose as a teenage because we all have mood swings. People don't understand the disorder and like to think that they do from what they read on the internet.
Bi-polar really really sucks. My cousin is just now getting it together and staying on his meds after years of running wild. I haven't seen the soap you're talking about, but i doubt it's like the real thing.

[Conquistadora]

maybe in this sick society, it's the cool thing to have,don't worry about it :)

[SH2007]

Hi, I have to agree I have heard many people now starting to question if they have some form of mental condition since that story has been aired on TV. I haven't been watching it a lot but to be honest I don't think they even portray bi-polar in a way that teaches people what it is or what it's like - well not from what I have seen.

I think people also think this because they portrayed the character or stacey as being emotionally "ok" to an extent for such a long time and then out of nowhere turned her into being someone suffering from Bi-polar and automatically the public see that and think - wow if it can happen that fast maybe it can happen to me..infact maybe I already do act odd etc etc and it goes from there.

In some ways I am glad they have portrayed mental illness in someone young - assuming the character of stacey is in her 20's because often young people feel mental illness only affects older people, however the danger always is that people jump on the bandwagon and start saying they think they have mental illnesses when infact its nothing but the problems of life.

[Kirstinx]

people get bi-polar mixed up with just normal mood swings especially teenagers.

answers mine please?
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091018192300AAX2fR4

[hopalong]

BP is horrible! When I am well I am sensible and successful when I am down - suicidal and when up - downright irresponsible. A lot of people use this as an excuse for being irresponsible, (I used to believe this of myself). However when you have had it for years as have I, you realise it is a disease and must be treated appropriately. For me caution is the better part of valour and see at least two professional to ascertain their take. All I can say is that whatever Higher Power you believe in, pray that you never suffer from it. Peace and Light.