I posted this on a group website for those dealing with Bipolar Disorder and these are the responses I recieved:
What would it be? If you had a chance to change something about it. A symptom, or situation or loss or gain. What would you change? You're not allowed to take it away.... only change ONE thing.
ME: I would change the fact that if I have children, they have a higher risk of living with this illness too. I would take away all the chances of my possible future children having to struggle with this painful and challenging illness. I don't know if I can stand back and watch them yo yo through life with pain and joy and pain again. I can handle it myself. I can do it, but I don't want them to have to suffer too.
Responce #1: I would change my hypomanic episodes to being euphoric rather than dysphoric so that I could get some kind of enjoyment out of them!
Response #2: there are a few things i'd change; suicidal thoughts, over sensative, being out of control..
Response #3: I would change my inabilty to process intellectual content. Was going to school to become a Jr. High math teacher and was an algebra tutor now I am unable to balance my own checkbook.
Response #4: Motivation - it's the very first thing to go when a depressive episode is coming on. Even a mild low. It wouldn't be so bad if I felt like crap but still had the motivation to get out of bed and function in life even a little bit. This makes me completely useless half the time!
Response#5: I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THIS FEELING OF BEING LONELY. THINKING NOBODY LOVES YOU. LIKE YOUR ALL ALLONE IN THE WORLD. ALSO BRINGING THE FACT THAT NOW YOU ACT HAPPY. HATE YOURSELF FOR DOING THAT CAUSE YOU FELL LIKE A CHEAT,BUT ENDURE THE PERSONAL HATRED JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY ELSE LOVES YOU
Response #6: I would get rid of the side-effects of my meds as I am able to control my symptoms well with my meds but my side-effects suck almost as bad as my illness.
Response #7: The question makes my mind whirl. I tried answering it yesterday and just kept deleting everything I wrote.
Response #8: I would want to change when I was diagnosed properly. I got my diagnosis when I was 40. I have had something wrong with me as long as I can remember. I've always known my brain worked differently than everyone around me but didn't know why. I started seeing doctors and therapists when I was 14 and kept getting the wrong diagnoses. Nothing they did was going to help because I was either take no medication or the wrong medication. A lot of wasted time, erratic behavior, severe depressions and psychotic manias later I know now why. I wish it would have been 20 years sooner.
Response #9: I would change the stigma around mental health and having to disclose that I'm Bipolar on job application forms. I'm no different now to how I was 6 years ago when I was a paramedic, I just have this label attached to me now and applying for a job they make up stupid reasons as to why I'm not shortlisted for interview. I'm quite stable on my meds and quite able to work if they would just give me a chance.
There were also a few that I did not get consent for that were simple to the point, and extremely painful to realize that someone feels such a way. It's amazing how some people can express themselves so well in only 2 words.
I can read this one if I come to the comment page and click on "view original post" but the text is still cut off on the main post page. I loved reading these, thanks!
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