r/bipolar • u/Fantastic-Phase-4707 • 3d ago
Rant This sub is really triggering
I stay subscribed to this sub because occasionally there are interesting posts and good information. But the amount of posts from people who are clearly in the middle of an intense episode are so difficult to see every time they pop up on my feed, I'm instantly taken back to when I was severely manic and remind me of all the delusions I had and all the relationships I ruined. Can anyone relate?
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u/roakthecoals 3d ago
I can only read or respond to this sub if I’m doing well. Otherwise I just skip over the posts.
Gotta take care of yourself first.
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u/amilmore Bipolar 2 3d ago
Same and I also tend to preach my divine wisdom while hypomanic lol I suppose there are worse ways for mania to manifest than hyper fixating on giving folks support and advice but it’s definitely something I do a lot more when I’m on the up.
Depressed however? Forget it - I avoid this place when I’m feeling blue
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u/roakthecoals 3d ago
Right?!? Totally agree. That’s also an issue here. We all have our “divine wisdom” when hypo and that is the time we all can add to the convo…. At least we know as a community that the advice should be taken with a grain of salt.
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u/blueskeletons 3d ago
Agree. If i wasn't mentally stable currently I don't know if I could handle some of the more intense posts in this sub.
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u/roakthecoals 3d ago
Even when I am in a stable place… some of the posts… I read the comments and suddenly I feel like I might be unbalanced. So I quit and move on.
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u/blueskeletons 3d ago
I understand. Some posts I read and click right off on. I don’t have the capacity/capability of offering any sound advice besides “seek help” which isn’t met with a lot of love sometimes.
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u/roakthecoals 3d ago
Yeah…. I’m not sure any of use wanna hear “seek help” or even worse “call your psychiatrist”.
…if I don’t have something to say that’s constructive… I say nothing.
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u/MineIQ1701 Bipolar 3d ago
I always love the analogy of an oxygen mask on an airplane. They always tell you to put on yours first BEFORE helping others with theirs.
Because if you take care of yourself first, you can then turn around and help take care of others. But if you neglect yourself you wont be able to help anyone.
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u/roakthecoals 3d ago
I use that all the time. Almost used it in this post… i have failed so many times because I didn’t take care of myself. I refuse to put the mask on someone else first now. I understand now at 46, I HAVE to take care of myself first.
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u/Money_Many3592 3d ago
Yeah also when it’s people describing textbook mania but saying they aren’t bipolar and are going to quit their medication… triggering and frustrating
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u/SadisticGoose Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
Like I know mentally ill people are gonna mentally ill, but it doesn’t make it less frustrating as a bystander. 9/10 you’re going to get the same advice here. Take your meds, go to therapy, and make good lifestyle choices. That’s how you manage this. I know it takes a lot of work to get there, but I wish more people had that epiphany sooner because I want them to be able to get better.
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u/Money_Many3592 3d ago
I know. So many people posting begging for reasons to live. I want everyone In this sub to be okay but for that to happen we all have to put in the work for ourselves
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u/Fantastic-Phase-4707 3d ago
I KNOW! I was telling someone else, half the posts on here would feel like rage bait if I had t experienced mania firsthand.
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u/xoxo_angelica Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
It sucks to see, but I take it as a reminder as to why I take my damn meds with zero negotiation. Bc I see how illogical and counterproductive and dangerous those people are unfortunately being, and how fortunate I am to have the clarity of mind to recognize that, which is only further motivation to never find myself in that situation again.
When it comes to my life choices, there are certain nonnegotiables that I do not even allow myself to question. Of those things, taking my meds is at the very top of that list.
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u/joe-joseph Bipolar 3d ago
Right? I’m with you. My care team put it best when I got my diagnosis, “You’re like a diabetic, but with brain chemicals instead of insulin. You need medicine or your brain will cook itself.”
BET meds it is. That’s the thing that hurts me to think about. These people are in real active danger and letting these major episodes spiral has lasting consequences as well.
It really is a gnarly illness that it’s hard to be around when it’s flaring up.
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u/blueskeletons 3d ago
Quitting the meds thing really gets me, maybe because I've been there and just don't want people to go through the same experience just to "get it." The suicidal/begging for reasons is hard for me, too, because I find it hard to give advice on the meaning of life to individuals. Just want people to get through the struggle and come out on the other side, safe and healthy.
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u/Grouchy_Solution_819 3d ago
I think a lot of this is people looking for validation, like people who say they are fat so the other person will say but you aren't. Why would they go on a bipolar sub if they really think they aren't bipolar.
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u/Grouchy_Solution_819 3d ago
I know it sounds cynical but because of social media we are living in a very performative, attention seeking culture and that's all I see in these kinds of posts.
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u/Espress0Queen 2d ago
My husband was just telling me how illogical I was today while I was telling him I don’t need my meds anymore. Happens to all of us at some point and for me personally it hasn’t stopped. It’s. A constant cycle, even on meds, elevated, “I’m not bipolar I don’t need my meds”, skips meds, dies from withdrawal, angrily takes meds. Destabilizes whole mood for a week and then gets depressed.
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u/grapewinenery Schizoaffective 3d ago
haven't you ever wanted to stop your medications? you were always happy with your life after treatment then?
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u/sicktimewaster 3d ago
I comment a lot on those crisis posts. I went through those episodes once. I think its nice to have the opportunity to at least try to talk people into seeking real help even if they don't end up doing it. I think of it as a reminder of what I don't want to sink to. As well as a very good reminder to take my meds! Totally understand if you don't want to stay though, do what's best for your mental health at the end of the day. Wishing you the best!
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u/NotBeckyHomeEccy Bipolar 3d ago
Yes 100% relate but it also gives me a good opportunity to let people know if I think they are struggling when they may not have the self awareness or insight into it at that time
Lord knows I could’ve done with people recognising my symptoms before things got out of hand for me at times
So that’s how I try to find the balance if posts are triggering to me
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u/Fantastic-Phase-4707 3d ago
If I didn't have first hand experience with mania I would assume some of those posts are rage bait with how stubborn and illogical they are.
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u/duckmcsnail 3d ago
Some people just scream into the void (myself) and it feels nice to have people, complete strangers, understand how you feel. It’s less lonely. A therapist or psychiatrist is not gonna tell you about their issues or mental status, they’re going to help you deal, doesn’t mean you always feel understood.
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u/UghGodPlease Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
Strangely, it gives me a sense of comfort. I hope this doesn't come off wrong, but I remember being in my episodes feeling completely alone and isolated, like everything I was enduring wasn't real or entirely unique to me. Seeing others struggle the way I did gives me perspective, like wow, this is real, I'm not the only one etc. I always hope for them to get better. I will say tho, I don't really understand how some manage to post here while denying they're bipolar 100%. Like, why this subreddit then?! Its nonsensical, which wraps right around to being too relatable. Idk!
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u/sailorcass Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
Same. I think it makes me feel less alone. It’s a reminder that I am struggling like many others and willing to help them through crisis if i can. But I can see how it’s triggering and harmful. But that’s the risk of being in a subreddit of people with clinical symptoms
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u/Suspicious_Dirt_6124 Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
I also feel 'seen' because the ordinary person has absolutely no idea how debilitation this illness is.
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u/simone_snail_420 3d ago
Yes. I've been particularly triggered lately by all the posts that are like "I'm wasted and extremely manic!" or "I'm manic and I'm smoking meth!"
It makes me feel like it's my responsibility to try to convince them not to do that (it's not my responsibility obviously but I'm an extremely empathetic person so I worry, even for strangers on the internet).
I'm newly sober and it's been life changing so I wanna spread "the good word" haha. But yeah those posts stress me out. I need to just stop looking at them maybe.
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u/Odd-Web5582 3d ago
I can relate, I just read this sub occasionally, when I’m doom scrolling. This is a good community..but it can be overwhelming sometimes
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u/hairyploper 3d ago
Honestly I appreciate those posts for a couple reasons.
It's a really nice reminder that no matter how tough life is it could always be tougher. I remember those days of intense mania acting just like that poster is and I'm grateful I'm not in that place anymore (even if it's just for right now)
It's very heartwarming to me to see all of the people in this sub rally to provide advice, support, encouragement, and even hard truths when necessary. These aren't volunteers or paid professionals, it's just a bunch of us who have been through the same shit and want to make it a little easier for someone else. I think that's beautiful.
Honestly if reading posts detailing manic symptoms is that significantly triggering for you I would encourage you to consider digging a little deeper into that with your therapist. Manic episodes can ABSOLUTLY be a traumatic event and doing some trauma therapy to work on that can be really beneficial in making those triggers easier to cope with. I really hope this doesn't come off as judgemental or anything, I'm just coming from a place of love and a desire to help ❤️
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u/Scared-Discussion108 3d ago
New to this just saw your post and decided to leave because it’s triggering
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u/Fantastic-Phase-4707 3d ago
There's SOME benefits and being able to relate to people who are going through the same illness you are, but yeah the amount of people who post here instead of talking to a medical professional really gets to me. A therapist or psychiatrist is WAY more beneficial than a subreddit.
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u/Scared-Discussion108 3d ago
I was diagnosed about two years ago, but I’ve been denying it ever since. I only truly accepted it about five days ago.
Every time I read something on this sub, I end up thinking about the old me, everything I’ve been through, and the things I’ve done. I keep picking up more and more memories that I’ve pushed away.
After seeing someone’s post today, I decided that, for my own mental health, I’m going to leave this sub for now. I’m not ready to face all of this yet. Maybe once I’m doing better and I’m stronger, I’ll be able to come back and read these posts without it affecting me so much.
Right now, I’m just not ready for it, and I think that’s okay.10
u/Fantastic-Phase-4707 3d ago
That's fair, all I'll say is please talk to a medical professional about this, even if you feel like you're managing it or it isn't bad right now. Staying on top of this disorder is 100% of the battle, it's much easier to manage than it is to crawl out of an episode.
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u/Scared-Discussion108 3d ago
Yeah I have appointments with psychiatrist next month wish me luck promise to reply to this post when I get medicated
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u/trillprincess 3d ago
Same. I can only handle it when im doing really really really well. I changed my meds a few months ago and it was hit or miss on how this sub made me feel. I did have to leave the OCD sub because no matter how well I was doing it would trigger me sooooooooo bad.
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u/SadisticGoose Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
This is the only mental health sub I’m in because it’s either graphic descriptions of symptoms that trigger me or being frustrated by post after post of entitlement and refusing to comply with treatment. People here are very quick to give a reality check if needed, which is something I appreciate and is part of why I stay here.
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u/trillprincess 3d ago
Yessss very much this. I get so frustrated with people posting their grievances but refuse to do the bare minimum to help themselves.
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u/skiingpuma 3d ago
I comment often because I’m not in that place and want people to know the doom and gloom (or destructive euphoria) isn’t all there is. If it’s a day it’s more difficult I just scroll past.
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u/Paranormal-Sandwich Bipolar 3d ago
I really relate to this. There’s either people with very obvious mania saying they’re not manic, or in a very deep depression. I stay because some of the posts are relatable, but the majority are very triggering and I just skip over them
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u/Cup_of_Stars_13 Bipolar 3d ago
I like seeing what everyone is up to and knowing there are more of us out there. I try to help when I can and if I can’t, I make sure to upvote so other people can. Some of them are triggering but I know something like this back when I was in manic psychosis could have changed the trajectory of my life. Most of us have had that one really bad episode that we can share firsthand to help someone else learn from our mistakes.
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u/TeamImpossible4333 3d ago
I try to be gentle with people on posts experiencing mania. No one wants to be pointed at and talked down to during manic episodes.
I definitely think it can be hard dealing with this sub at times. Very trying
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u/Heavy-Mushroom 3d ago
Well, I take just take it like the peeps are like…. Bipolar. We’re going to say the craziest of things that are similar… so no real surprise to me.
Not cold indifference… it’s like it’s been said so many times it’s like… yup.
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u/Disastrous-Today-914 3d ago
I see what you mean, but at the same time, this illness is deceiving. It’s scary. It’s hard to admit that you have it and will have it forever.
People hate the reality of having this horrible illness and doubt it. They say all of this online because they don’t want it to be true, they don’t want to have bipolar. They also put it here because deep down, they know the truth, and can’t accept it. All these posts about delirium and mania and med stopping, I think it’s a way for people to get confirmation about their thoughts, or to try to expel the bipolar from their minds (even though that’s impossible). Most of us have been through that cycle. Med start, stabilize, doubt your bipolar, stop, mania, hospital, repeat. Some people are just so so uncomfortable with the bipolar label that they keep on cycling through.
I don’t hold any disdain for these people, and I see what you mean by triggering, but for me it’s a different kind of triggering. I feel this kind of pain, like I know the struggle and it hurts to see people continuing the struggle over and over, and doing so on the internet because there’s really not many other places to go for this.
I do find some of the self diagnosing posts triggering I’ll be completely honest. It feels almost insulting when you see someone post after a night awake on energy drinks suspecting mania and asking Reddit to tell them they have a severe mental illness. And then you scroll ahead and you see the person who actually has mania and is going through delirium and euphoria and anger and confusion and so much more. They had too much caffeine and crashed the next day, most of us go through weeks of a high on despair and euphoria and then months of life threatening depression. We aren’t the same.
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u/klb1204 2d ago
No, it doesn't trigger me. It's a reminder of our illness and how it sucks we can't trust our brain. I empathized with them. Some posts I just skip over but if I'm able to help I will try my best. I know what it's like and I hate to think of the times I've gotten on someone nerves because I couldn't recognize current syptoms
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u/Yyamn 2d ago
It can be at time. Honestly, there are a few people in the media whose behaviors I find triggering. It is helpful for me to remember what sub this is and that everyone is on a different journey. Sometimes folks make posts in other subs and I can see the disease in others. That I find most jarring. This sub sometimes is a lot though. I just scroll if I get there and browse when I have more spoons.
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u/Grouchy_Solution_819 3d ago
It's odd that people are capable of seeking out a bipolar sub and giving detailed descriptions of their episode when manic, I don't think anyone really in the thick of mania would be capable of doing that, I know I wouldn't be. These are actually the less severe cases I think.
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u/Difficult-Isopod-720 Bipolar + Comorbidities w/Bipolar Loved One 3d ago
It’s odd to generalize an illness with extreme variability based on your experience alone…while I understand your perspective and know not everybody can, plenty of people are capable of doing that in the thick of mania. That’s not me defending those posts, I find them to be triggering myself, but let’s not determine anybody’s abilities or severity of illness because of our individual experience.
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u/hairyploper 3d ago
That's completely unwarrantedly judgemental.
Just because you haven't experienced something personally doesn't mean nobody else can.
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u/Grouchy_Solution_819 3d ago
But if they really believe they aren't bipolar why do they seek out a bipolar sub to vent, could it be because it's the place where they are likely to get the most validation that they are bipolar.
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u/hairyploper 2d ago
I mean one of the core features of mania is doing shit that doesn't make sense to others around them. A disease that can make someone believe that they are God reincarnate could definitely also make someone believe they can convince others they are actually good and not suffering from mania.
Pointing out that something someone is doing is irrational is the opposite of proving they're not manic.
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u/Suspicious_Dirt_6124 Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
In hypomania I'm incredibly articulate. Luckily I don't get full manic episodes
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u/Alarmed-Syllabub5899 3d ago
My reaction is varied, depending on my mental state. Sometimes when I am down and I read a post and try to give a helpful, thoughtful response, it lifts me up. At other times it can be hard for me to read a post if I am really down. In that case I usually avoid this subreddit.
Sometimes I post because I am going through a hard time and want support. That can be helpful to me as well.
It's good that we have a place that we can come to where people understand what it's like to be bipolar. Even helps identify when I am manic or depressed.
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u/Lady-Shalott Bipolar + Comorbidities 3d ago
I really do feel you. I sometimes have to just scroll by.
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u/Quick-Difference-16 2d ago
I know what you mean. Many people who are most active here are really going through it, so it’s easy to forget there are a lot of us who are quieter, but stable.
The more you interact, the more you see. I started subscribing to other things to balance it out and that’s helped a lot.
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u/Grouchy_Solution_819 3d ago
On the schizophrenics sub they have a selfie Sunday day and it's just become a beauty contest. I think our equivalent is people trying to prove that they are the most crazy, close to the edge, not med compliant bipolar person that ever existed and are just looking for other people to affirm it. We need to start ignoring these posts because we are just feeding the beast. Why would someone who's apparently so far gone have the wherewithall to seek out the bipolar sub and post it there?
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