Is bipolar disorder a hoax?

If there are no chemical tests in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and it is completely diagnosed by a patient's "story", then don't you think the majority of people are getting an improper or incomplete diagnosis?

Could it be a hoax? Everybody has ups and downs in their lives. For some people, the cycling just happens quicker than for others, and it seems like this "cycling" between manic and depressive episodes happens because of events people experience, which are just a part of life.

Is bipolar disorder an easy method for insurance companies to funnel money into the paychecks of psychiatrists, who use this "disorder" as a means to enhance their career? Books about bipolar disorder are causing doctors to become multi-millionaires... do you think they are pondering over nonsense?

Actually I was "diagnosed" with bipolar disorder the other day...

You obviously are not bipolar and do not know anyone who truly is. Swings aren't within any normal range. Mania includes very disorganized thinking, delusions, and hallucinations. Depressions can include the same. Mixed states are when both happen together and it hell. There is a 20% suicide rate for those with the illness. Study of cadavers show a loss in gray matter of the brain. Studies show a loss in executive functioning over time. Lot's of other hard indicators. No hoax, but I certainly would love to give you my illnes to let you experience just how real and debilitating it can be at times.

Everybody has ups and downs. But the ups and downs of bipolar people are more extreme than the ups and downs of people who don't aren't bipolar. When they're manic, they sometimes get so excited about something that they work on it for days at a time, without sleeping. That doesn't happen with normal people.

Ya know I've pondered over that question since I was recently diagnosed, I thnk your question has some merit. Adult ADD has some overlying characteristics which is what I thought was wrong with me. 2007 was a horrible year for me financially, physcially, and marriage. So YEA, I was depressed alot, but the impulsivity, spending habits, anti social behavior, thoughts of suicide were rampant. Hubby has issues too (ED). The Phychiatrist said I was ADD, Bipolar and BPD. I was like, WHAT!!! are you nuts, but I am on Lithium and feeling alot better. I'll do anything to get me outta bed..

this cycle between manic and depressive moods is diagnosed as bipolar disorder when its an extreme case that effects your everyday living and you cant do those every day things that a person that isn't suffering from bipolar could.
no its not a hoax.

You obviously don't understand bpd completly.

Its not a hoax, but some people are being misdiagnosed.

Thats what Scientologists say.

Is bipolar disorder an easy method for insurance companies to funnel money into the paychecks of psychiatrists, who use this "disorder" as a means to enhance their career? Are you kidding me? You must not know to much about what most insurance companies cover, good mental health benefits are very hard to find, most insurance companies refuse to pay out for ANY mental health issue or maybe if you are lucky, give you around $500 towards it. It is not that. I agree some people are misdiagnosed (you sound like you were). I have bipolar disorder 1 & it is real & certainly does exsist. It is a dibilitating illness for those of us that really have it (I'm not going into all the details), but, if you truley do have some form of it, people definately would notice your symptoms & it's far different than just having a bad day....& you don't sound like it's a big deal to you, so I dought you have it.

p.s. I don't have ANY insurance, I just self-pay for my shrink appts. I guess maybe I've had to many jobs in the insurance field & know how poorly they pay...sorry, didnt mean to jump down your throat with my answer...just pisses me off when people think this disorder doesn't exsist...but, that was not what you were asking really. (((hugs))) lol:)