Being Bipolar | Full Documentary

[@annazaman9657]

I recently heard a psychologist say," nature loads the gun; nuture fires it". Im a great believer in our childhood impacting what happens to us mentally down the road

[@chronoshd21]

Nurture you mean?

[@cuupcake0007]

There is a huge genetic component to this illness though...

[@annazaman9657]

@@cuupcake0007 true. But it has to be triggered by something

[@cuupcake0007]

@@annazaman9657 yeah like trauma which can also happen if you had the best childhood unfortunately

[@MR-NIGHTDREAM]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGnSZplop7eHoqs

[@gordon7770]

Is it sad that I watch these documentaries because I feel alone in my own bipolar? They make me feel validated and that it isn’t all in my head and others understand. I would never wish Bipolar on anyone. If you are struggling right now just know I’m there with you and we are warriors 💜💖

[@funkyfun6308]

Its awful

[@maryamrahat3568]

That is a beautiful coping strategy

[@krithika.m7007]

Rn iam with my manic phase.... I have shared with many very closed ones .. all they say is iam with u , but once they get to kn its a cycle lyk a mesntrual cycle which hits monthly.. they strt showing hatred.. all tyms drugs and medical wont work actlly , same way i too wish that no one shld exprnce this

[@BloggerMusicMan]

It's not sad at all. I feel exactly the same way, down to not wishing bipolar on anyone (I have bipolar II).

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

You're not alone. I know it feels lonely and hard to relate to people if you're struggling with bi polar or depression and anxiety, but there's a lot of us in the same struggle can relate to what you're experiencing and the daily difficulties and challenges, certainly for me anyway. I go through periods of prolonged depressive cycles that can last week's, months and even a year or more, after an up cycle period when I have bursts of creativity and energy. I'm sure there's probably chat support groups online. Back in the early days of the Internet before social media and Facebook, I would use IRC text chat channels for depression and social phobia and made a lot of great friends I could chat with. Several I was able to meet up with which helped me and them a lot. Another thing which helped was making a web blog which encouraged me to do things a bit more. You should never feel alone or unable to reach out to people if you need some support or just someone to chat to who understands.

[@annabarham155]

I know someone with Bipolar and she’s a carer and looks after rescue animals. She manages her condition by taking meds, and her life revolves around caring for others; caring is something she can focus on.

[@stephanieh5478]

Same here, I work with children and it makes me forget about myself. All I do I care and love one the kids. 😊

[@littlewoodchopper2659]

Thank you. Most make it sound like we are going to go on a shooting spree. Kids family can't stand to be around. It makes me so mad. We are extreme people but that's how much we care. I've always had a great relationship with my family. Sometimes how much we care can be a cause of the depression sad.

[@TrainingRuimte]

The important thing to know about bipolar is that you do not control it, it controls you, and all you can do is just go along for the ride. You try really hard to get some control, but you'll quickly realize that that's not how it works. It's like being on a rollercoaster that goes underwater and you can't see where it's going. When you’re under water you hope you’ll go up before you run out of breath, and when you’re not underwater you know it’s coming soon, you just don’t know when. Until you’re up on the highest point and you can see the amazing views, and the sun is shining in your face, and life is great, let’s hope this never ends! And then…

[@thequeenofhope4006]

It broke my heart when Ashley said "I need something but I don't know what it is"

[@euphratesjehan]

Deliverance The Blood of Jesus

[@asmemeas]

@@euphratesjehan Spoken like a true manic

[@OhSoUnderground]

God i know that feeling......

[@NOORCHANNEL0123]

I feel sad about people who experiencing bipolar. Nobody deserve to have this. I think, childhood experiences and environment play a big role to control this disorders 😢

[@gingerdeladis31]

It does seem potentially irresponsible to discourage people from taking their medications

[@arcticgoddess]

Deadly actually.

[@lalaausten9072]

I have met many psychotherapists who are like this, it is so harmful because they portray the lovely idea that you can sit and talk through your life and past trauma and you will be cured. Meanwhile their patients believe it and go off their medications thinking they can handle this potentially deadly mental illness.

[@Bellaa4578]

Yep. Sometimes it’s the natural chemistry of the brain. Life is so funny, your brain really dictates it. It’s sad really…

[@User20bdbdhd388]

Yes and no. My husband with bipolar sometimes saves the medication the attempt suicide.

[@jayfrelink2930]

As someone living with bipolar 1, this woman has absolutely no idea what she is talking about. She is misrepresenting these peoples stories, and she fundamentally doesn't understand how bipolar disorder works as a condition. I really hope this makes top comment, because sweet Jesus is this video harmful.

[@Ianarling]

Absolutely correct.

[@darcichambers6184]

​@@Ianarlingagreed

[@blackswan1983]

Which parts did you feel she got wrong?

[@darcichambers6184]

@blackswan1983 1. She interviewed during manic, hyper manic, and cycle episodes. 2. The interviewer took one of her subjects to a psychiatrist and SAT IN and filmed it. This is a big no-no. 3. Implied that bipolar is treatable through medication only.

[@lalaausten9072]

I feel like she was very snooty and judgemental about them taking medication, alot of psychotherapists are like this and it is really harmful.

[@arlanhesselink5400]

I have type 2 ,I'm 67 year old male, the premise bipolar is not chemically based but emotionally based, my experience would provide that without medication the person, has no chance of recovery I was 40 when I finally got the correct diagnoses, and that was at a psychic hospital, on suicide watch at 40 ,the first time in my life, my brain started to work correctly, it's been very difficult for others to understand, but I know without medication I would have ended my life and I am still on medication 27 years later, still cycling though the same patterns I did as a teenager, just, at a more reasonable level,

[@otisobl]

same. I don't wish this illness on anyone, but it would be really helpful for the psychiatrist to live with my unmedicated brain for a year or so. She would instantly be healed of all the BS she says.

[@daniel-ino]

can i ask what that pattern looks like?

[@lilyjane1011]

Thé doctor's opinion shocked me. I am finally on a treatment that works, I Can function. Damping down émotions ??? I don't feel sedated, I feel functional. I would not bé treated by her for sure ....

[@kidsrockwithchrismusic7519]

This lady should try living in a family for 47 years with someone who has bipolar. I got a ‘new’ husband after his diagnosis 18 years ago. He can now make friends, have two sided conversations, have a sense of humour and doesn’t spend months in bed or the rest of the time planning, phoning, talking over people, organising, rushing around etc. There was no ‘normal stable life’ it was either one extreme or the other. I thank the Lord for the medication he is on now.

[@theeskatelife]

Great anecdotal experience!!! But it doesnt prove that bipolar is a chemical/biological disorder

[@kidsrockwithchrismusic7519]

@@theeskatelife I don’t know what causes it, none of us really do but is is real and devastating for their families and everyone around them 😢

[@XOXOX4242]

Do you mind if I ask what he takes? I was recently diagnosed bipolar 1 mixed and trying to find the right meds now. I feel lithium might be best??

[@kidsrockwithchrismusic7519]

@@XOXOX4242 hi there, he takes Escitalopram (low dose anti-depressant) and Lamotrigine (mood stabiliser). This combination works really well for him and can be adjusted easily if the mania starts to appear. Hope that helps.

[@pawlogates]

It is. ​@@theeskatelife

[@henrybrown247]

I was diagnosed with bp2 about 4 years ago. I look back now and realise that even from young age I had shifts in moods that were greater to all of my friends. I was labelled as a problem child from play group. This label followed me all the way through my school years. I couldn't focus, was disruptive and was always the 'clown'. I had some trauma in my younger life but I believe it's a combination of factors. I also experimented with drugs in my teenage years, this probably didn't help help either. The treatment that works for me has been medication, regular exercise, talking with a psychologist and being honest with friends and family. Reducing stress where possible helps.

[@Vvopat96]

yes I have the same and this is my experience and thoughts about it. bibolar 2: I'm bibolar with just low depression all the time and hypomania episodes time to time. I have just observerved it as you have simply stronger emotions or stronger emotional reaction to everything.( from birth) You get depressed because brain runs out of neurons (they die out) after mania. That is not a problem before you develop responses to feelings, traumas are very damaging to us and very happy time spent too. As a bibolar you want to live stable life without very happy or very sad happenings. (your brain cells get overactive and destroy themselfs easily). Trauma is a small recoverable brain damage. I have been with a psychologist over half of my life. It does work, we can remove the trauma by dealing with it, talking about it so it stops making me depressed. Bibolar people also just get trauma very easily but biggest help for me was a medicine which blocks part of emotions so they feel less strong. That's the best thing for me, again it saved my life even though I have visited psychologists long time before it. So my lifetime cure for bibolar is this. I'm intelligent I figured it out. = Medicine to block part of all the feelings. (no new traumas more easily than normal people) + Meditation to calm you down and process traumas and too good feelings. (brain removes feelings if you process them) also it helps you gain control over your emotional brain better (strengthens your logical brain) + Talk about your feelings a lot (same reason, brain removes the feelings if you talk about them) + Try not to do alcohol, smoke or anything which makes your chemicals release inside your brain too much. (leads to overactivity of neurons) It's part genes, it's a fact (your emotions are stronger than other people), part environment (traumas make it happen, stable life better). Trauma what you got makes you depressed in bibolar when you remember it and how you learn to deal with emotions can also affect you not getting it. pss.. No bibolar disorder any of it for 9 months now, no single depressive episode (normal feeling down offcourse) but nothing which would have stopped me from getting up. I might have had few small hypomanias but I didn't do anything stupid or crash down so it wasn't too high. The meds was the missing key and they saved my life. (again) I don't think you can live normal life without emotion blockers. I tried everything before it, also meds don't cure it alone, you need other work on top of it. Like the boat sport girl, she got trauma from seeing a dead body and normal people didn't. That's the genes difference. Bibolar diagnosis helped me to figure out finally how I can fix it. It's lifesaving diagnosis. It's the beginning of life. It's just that doctors just give you medicine they don't know really how to fix you, don't be stupid and take meds and stop there. Fix your emotional connections too inside your head.

[@nickycotton6137]

Cheers for your shareS. Feel very similar to what you explained about it so about time I looked into this.. Am fed up feeling this way tbh

[@lucyelkins7731]

​@@nickycotton6137me too

[@lbh6090]

ADHD isn’t uncommon with bipolar 2.

[@HannahLucy820]

Me too. My mother and grandmother said they could see from the age of around 6 that I was struggling with something. I've always felt things so much more deeply than my peers! I was always labelled over sensitive. Was bittersweet to get a diagnosis ❤

[@SeanDeTransman]

My mum, grandma and niece (all mothers line) are Typ 1.. Its 110% genetic, and the whole "Its not how u should deal with feelings" gets me so pissed off.

[@DELLRS2012]

Right!? I’ve known so many people / families with bipolar. Why is it so hard for people to believe? It is potentially REALLY problematic to try and persuade people that they had childhood trauma.

[@SeanDeTransman]

@@DELLRS2012 like yeah I guess its a combination of things; there is a genetic weakness in the family that can be triggered by trauma (my mum had a traumatic upbringing, but the postnataldep. After my birth made her fall off, my niece found her best friend after a suicide.) Its also known that stress can make medicine less effective/the bipolar reactions bigger. Its why I try to stay away from it. But just like adhd, autism etc. Has a strong genetic link - so does Bipolar.

[@bentrainor]

Yeah, it felt like she was blaming it on them by trying to offer a suck-it-up solution to something that doesn't go away. I only saw one delusional person in that video - her

[@GeorgiaMariaMusic]

Ashley doesn’t have bipolar - he’s suffering from C-PTSD emotional flashbacks. My educated opinion based on personal experience. I hope he got the help he needed.

[@photoshopfile.4]

Yeah i agree. At first i considered rapid cycling, but the moment he said his mood can change based on someone elses reaction, i knew thats not a mood disorder.

[@kimwalker8872]

​@@photoshopfile.4Agreed. I did think possible mixed episode but the fact the changes are all triggered makes me think otherwise

[@linnealang259]

I have eupd and experience a lot of emotional flashbacks and his episodes are extremely similar to mine. On very bad days my highs and lows can move as quickly as his. I’ve been considering if I suffer with C-PTSD aswell. I experienced a lot of trauma in my childhood and when I have my flashbacks I feel like I’m about the same age as I was then.

[@lollipopsland]

​@@linnealang259the same as me i am diagnosed eupd and ocd. Ive thought at times am i bi polar am i autistic am i schizophrenic and also c-ptsd. i don't go to see anyone or take any medication because i hate how it dulls me. So I'll never know if its correct. Im up and down like a yoyo, triggered by others and by my own flash backs, thoughts and feelings on i guess ill say traumas, i feel like my mental health is somewhat based in my dna because some of my family are also struggling, and mainly from whats happened to me... being able to accept whats happened is the main issue, im constantly tripping back up on everything, im able to reply everything and every detail even when im trying to think about other things. I wish so much to feel normal but maybe that might make go crazier if suddenly it all stopped...this is me, i am this

[@veroniquelicursi2210]

I think he has eupd also… I have it and the smallest triggers takes me back and changed my wholeeee mood in a split second.

[@freddoesvox9033]

I hope they are all doing better now, especially Ashley. Even though i dont have bipolar i felt for him, he is so talented and i hope he is still making music

[@talltall5364]

Not my favorite documentary on the subject. There's too much emphasis on individual life experiences and not enough on biological factors (both play a large part in the disorder). One of the main clues that leads people to getting diagnosed with bipolar is they have an adverse reaction to SSRI anti-depressants; mainly it causes them to go into mania/hypomania. This reaction to a medication is biological, not caused by life experiences or trauma. They seem to leave this conveniently out of the documentary. Also, there is a strong positive correlation to bp running in families. I have bipolar 2, as do some of my family members. We all have vastly different childhoods, diets and live in different areas of the world. The only thing we have in common is genetics and yet we all have the same disorder.

[@arkfille]

Yes, this documentary could have been a lot more interesting and informative if the show host did not have such an agenda throughout

[@arkfille]

Yes, this documentary could have been a lot more interesting and informative if the show host did not have such an agenda throughout

[@Ianarling]

@Tall Tall 🙏 the adverse reaction to anti depressants 🙏 thank you. I'm currently in the process of gathering evidence so that I can educate my mental health doctor who currently assumes that I can be talked out of my illness

[@daisy7066]

Adverse reactions to certain drugs doesn't mean it's genetic or biological, it just means that bipolar symptoms conflict with SSRIs.

[@daisy7066]

You are also related socially or you wouldn't know about each other's bipolar.

[@chandanponduru6061]

Bp is something that can't be analysed or dissected ,only the ones suffering from know the impact on their lives 😤, unfortunately people go judgemental .

[@CheburashkaGenovna]

The others don't/can't know/feel the impact on one's life.... but.... they know the impact on lives of others... family, children... it's a tragedy.

[@blackedmirror5073]

Anyone younger with bipolar disorder I want to encourage you to exercise and get good sleep. Even if you don’t, it gets much better with age. Keep goin!

[@daniel-ino]

Unfortunately it can also get much worse as in my case if not treated or diagnosed correctly

[@cody_go_create]

@@daniel-inothat has been my experience

[@aquarianyogi555]

I love the closing notes at the end! I don’t believe in labels but rather allow each individual to truly self explore their personal journeys as there is no one size fits all. Treat all humans with respect and compassion. Blessings to all on your journey through life 🙏💜💫

[@annchurchill2638]

THis condition is traceable through the family, even when the family members have not met; and it is quite common among artists and writers and musicians.I often find tremendous talent in this population.Ironic that comedians can be bipolar.

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

I believe that mania is actually a form of dissociation... to escape negative feelings.

[@cody_go_create]

If that were true, then you could therapy your way out of bipolar. Which is simply not possible.

[@cody_go_create]

@graciesmithmusic8609 I just went through this almost identically for the first time. It took about 10 months to restablize. Therapy and medication brought me back. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy and I feel for you 🫂

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

@graciesmithmusic8609 Hi I also have bipolar. I know a woman called Dorris Chen who cured herself using high doses of progesterone cream. Good luck to you and God bless :o)

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

@@cody_go_create I hear you. I believe dissociation is a big factor but hormonal deficiency and nutrient deficiency plays a role too. I know a woman who cured herself with high doses of progesterone cream.

[@amandamorgan7049]

This woman has no idea what she's talking about and actually some of her assumptions are harmful It would be more useful to look at things from the perspective that bipolar has a strong genetic component, and that there may be a 'trigger' event or experience that leads to it developing. In other words, a person could have a genetic predisposition to bipolar but in the absence of a trigger, would not develop it Psychotherapists have their place in treatment post-diagnosis but this woman is way outside her scope of practice!

[@Ianarling]

Absolutely spot on! Well said

[@jusp570]

So True! This whole documentary is bordering on irresponsible. I have bipolar 2, my father does, my brothers do, uncles do..and It is suspected in the younger nephews (the genes are strong!) Fairly standard upbringings all round (no neglect/trauma/etc to speak of) We are all big boys and share our feelings. If I go down it will happen extremely quickly (with no cuasation that can be noted) If I had a heriditary heart condition, ime not going to a Doctor to talk about it! Pyschiatrists use the full gamit of tools be it various pyschotherapy approaches, & medical interventions that from my experience are highly tailored to the individual (thats why they study for 13 years and are paid the big bucks!) This woman is peddling half baked tabloid theorys for a bit of air time..maybe her book sales are dwindling!

[@kristenwittmeier1707]

I wouldn’t wish this illness on my worst enemy.

[@Chamiogirl]

This documentary is well researched, and thank you to those individuals/ family and friends and professionals who were willing to share their experiences of the three types of Bipolar one of which is also diagnoised with Autism. It is refreshing to watch a sensitive and informative documentary about Bipolar Disorder. I'm diagnosed with Bipolar 1, thankfully due to lifestyle adjustments and sometimes medication, I generally live a balanced life...but it is not easy.

[@MagickP00dle]

This isn't well researched at all. She asked someone with bipolar if childhood trauma was at fault for her brain disorder. Are you fucking kidding me?!

[@otisobl]

Agreed. A psychologist with bipolar disorder, I find this film to be outright dangerous. It is the advice of people like Ms Montgrieeff (sp?) that makes people like us lose everything we care about.

[@jlnioannou]

I think Bipolar could be genetic as well? Not just environmental? Because I know of a family where both the father and the son have it.

[@lizzyxo9015]

I completely agree

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

That’s not very scientific

[@jeannette.sgili.132]

@@HumansAreShitFactories It is very scientific. Makes sense, both environmental and inherited.

[@SpaceStation108]

No one said it wasn't genetic. It most definitely is. The triggers are environmental mostly.

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

@@jeannette.sgili.132 If your idea of scientific is making shit up, then yes, it is scientific.

[@anntunaley9974]

My ex husband (married 30 years) and all 4 of my kids were rapid cyclers like ashley on here. Imagine living with five people cycling thru mania and depression many times a day. I felt like i was going to lose my mind. And bc they refused medication, i was medicated to deal with the stress. The meds ruined my health. Instead of being happy when manic, all but one of them experienced mania as extreme anger. Most people think of bipolar as happy mania but it can manifest as extreme anger instead. So they went from very angry to very depressed dozens or more times a day. And living with five people doing that was almost more than i could handle. I was also angry bc i had asked my husband if he had been diagnosed as bipolar, since i had only known him a month before we got married, and he insisted that the psychiatrist that checked him said he didn’t have it. But he always seemed angry or depressed. And at that time i believed mania always manifested as extreme happiness, and i had never seen him happy. So i trusted that he was telling the truth. Before having kids we went to the dr and told him that my husbands father and all four sisters had it but not him. The dr said my kids wouldn’t get it bc their father didn’t have it, and even if he did, only a male child would likely get it. Males had a twenty five percent chance of inheriting it but females weren’t likely to. I asked how he didn’t have it , yet his four sisters did. The dr said he wasn’t sure but not to worry because he didn’t have it. Well, he lied. He had been diagnosed at age 12, much younger than they used to diagnose it bc his case was so extreme. My oldest child, a girl, was diagnosed even younger than her father was. She was psychotic and suic@d@/ at age 7. Thats almost unheard of. So they all got it. My life was a nightmare for 30 years. I live with that oldest child now to help her raise her kids bc she would never be able to do it without my help. The others do ok but still struggle with it. My ex does ok at this point , but still not one of them will take meds for it.

[@CarolineEccleston-q9c]

You CHOSE to have FOUR kids with a mentally unstable man and now CHOSE again, to raise some more. These are the outcomes of your own self-destruction.

[@stephanieh5478]

I realized that my mania was harming my family, I can’t wait until I’m feeling calm and collected. I feel so bad for hurting my family and hope they can SEE my change. I’m also in therapy so that helps too!

[@juliettailor1616]

OMG

[@juliettailor1616]

Seriously genetic tests should be mandatory before marriage and before having children. But then people would scream Nazi. Blood tests used to be mandatory for marriage licenses. My ex, for whom I am still responsible, is bipolar and borderline. The mood swings in a day are insane. The best thing and safest med for both is lithium. Either lithium carbonate, which a psychiatrist will prescribe, or lithium oratate which is extremely safe you can get it over the counter at natural food stores or order through Amazon. Google "John Grey and lithium oratate". The higher the dose the better. Also diet is extremely important. Apparently ketogenic diets - no carbs, no sugar is key. Google ketogenic - bipolar and also lithium - bipolar. Google Tracy Marks - ketogenic diet - bipolar.

[@NudePostingConspiracyTheories]

Oh my goodness, darls. That’s extraordinary. And a thing for me in learning about genetic factors in this. Sorry mate, you’ve had a shocking trot. It’s enlightening. Yet it’s confusing because Ashley hasn’t gotten it genetically. But your family surely has. All the best

[@amandamorgan7049]

I found this very unbalanced. It seemed like the presenter was trying to fit her ideas to the experiences of the three people. The doctor in Wales made it clear that there is a biological basis to bipolar. Anecdotally people with BP will tell you about their own illness in terms of biology. I think this is why an episode is often described as coming out of the blue. Therapy has a role in helping you deal with all the s**t that is a result of the illness but as Sian said, medications will save your life For a better overview, and also a questioning approach to it, I would recommend Stephen Fry's doctor, the Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, remembering that everyone is different in terms of symptoms and severity. It doesn't mean that the 'cause(s)' aren't the same. I've had BP for 36 years, since age 15, and have long periods of time when I am well If you are looking for explanations to your bipolar, keep looking but know that the best use of your energy is finding ways to manage it, that work for you here and now.

[@darcichambers6184]

I was diagnosed at 16, living 28 years with BP. Medication is needed but so is therapy. You do need a good therapist. I had about 10 consecutive years of therapy before I just showed used for prescription refills. I had learned what I needed to do to be successful for myself with my condition. I think the problem is today it is so much easier to give meds without the therapy. And people don't truly understand how much time they might need with a therapist before they have a plan. For me my young age played a large part. We were focused on 1. Finishing high-school 2. Not killing myself. The we move to 1. Finishing college 2. Not killing myself. Then finally we could work on me as an adult and still not killing myself.

[@TheWickieGame]

A wonderful documentary. I was diagnosed with BPD/EUPD and medicated for twenty years on awful medications including thorazine for psychotic spells. I was told, I would never be mentally well and would be on medication for the rest of my life. One day I simply decided I could no longer tolerate Existing instead of Living and I began private psychodynamic psychotherapy at the NGP in jesmond UK. After three years of weekly therapy there, I was diagnosed with Female Adult Autism ASD spectrum disorder and following another eight years there I do not fit the criteria for EUPD or other Personality disorder. I am one year Medication Free and four years completely clean and sober. Psychotherapy and the reparenting process saved my life ❤ I will possibly always need my therapist but I live a happy and normal life now. I would recommend psychotherapy to anyone struggling with mental health issues. Good luck out there, never give up 🕊

[@slmaddocks89]

Please can I ask you for more information about the therapy you received?

[@bipolarbeinganddoing8070]

Psychologists can often really fuck up the treatment when it comes to things like bipolar and schizophrenia, they're so intensely focused on trauma and attachment styles that they'll hinder psychiatric care. You can't therapy your way out of bipolar, you can't treat it with gratitude lists and diet and all of that. You need meds, plain and simple.

[@lilyjane1011]

True. Healthy diet IS very important with this illness. I Say this for having compared symptômes diring dépressive episodes

[@sue7621]

Bullying people are horrible! They don’t know the damage they do! The effect’s can be devastating!

[@corvettemoonboy589]

Ego - the self identification with thought and emotion. Bipolar is just taking this identification past the normal boundaries. This means living in memories and imagination and suffering it as it were present. Detach the value you assign to thought and beliefs and just enjoy life as it is, without fear.

[@jusp570]

This whole documentary is bordering on irresponsible. I have bipolar 2, my father does, my brothers do, uncles do..and It is suspected in the younger nephews (the genes are strong!) Fairly standard upbringings all round (no neglect/trauma/etc to speak of) We are all big boys and share our feelings. If I go down it will happen extremely quickly (with no cuasation that can be noted) If I had a heriditary heart condition, ime not going to a Doctor to talk about it! Pyschiatrists use the full gamit of tools be it various pyschotherapy approaches, & medical interventions that from my experience are highly tailored to the individual (thats why they study for 13 years and are paid the big bucks!) This woman is peddling half baked tabloid theorys for a bit of air time..maybe her book sales are dwindling..Get a haircut and get a real job! In all seriousness this is just a novel twist, dumbing down a huge amount of scientific and academic enquiry...Her general premise is I will pick a few random professionals that vaguely tie into supporting my argument, with terrible editing of interviews with the patients interderdespersed..all in the cause of her agenda. I actually feel concerned, particularly for a person (say who is 18 years old, or even someone starting there journey in middle age) wanting to be informed, and falling for this quakery. Ultimately it's dangerous mis-information. Maybe your 'celebrity' status has gone to your head! But who cares if your making money out of it! Yes, it's self evident that the big pharmaceuticals make big profits, a certain percentage of those prescribing are compiicent..which is happening across all medical fields. At the end of the day, the drugs work, and anyone that has lived with bipolar for a relatively long time know this. The brain is extremely complex..even in a mathematical sense..you do the numbers and there are trillions of bits of information being communicated around. Ime really not surprised that current science cannot understand why lithium,valporate or the other main drug treatments do what they do. They just statistically out weigh placebo by far. In summary..it's 95pc treatment drug..5pc talk to give you hope while your waiting for the drugs to work. All humans need encouragement and support, either suffering from bipolar, or your 'average' Joe (with a relatively stable brain function) thats lost his job and going through a divorce, and his mum died..That's the 5pc your dealing with. Nothing more..Please for the sake of a serious condition which you evidently can't grapple with...just don't offer advice..seriously.

[@violatrujillo]

Well said , this is misinformation and it's criminal what she is doing.

[@arabellacox]

Hear, hear! I have Bipolar 1 and lithium has saved my life! I've been on it for 30 years and couldn't have raised 3 children by myself or functioned without it. Psychosis/mania is NOT fun, it's bloody frightening and can last for weeks. Take the meds, they will save your life too!

[@CarolineEccleston-q9c]

Ever question the decision to be not just a mother (which is difficult enough) but to be a single mother with serious mental illness? Why so many women choose to procreate despite their unfitness and probability of passing on the defective genes beggars the imagination.@@arabellacox

[@lilyjane1011]

​@@arabellacox Hi! I am 45, just been diagnosed bp 2 and started lithium. What a turning point!!!!! I have many other medications to take with it. But I finally feel alive, I even feel thé joy of being alive, though m'y life IS far from great.

[@cody_go_create]

Completely agree and was looking for this comment. This is extremely irresponsible.

[@jeanniecampbell1374]

So interesting to see the different angles and how people have to cope all of them come across as such so loveable characters my heart went out to all of them and so glad Ashley has his "Band family " seeing him smile with them lifted my spirits ..this is real life should be part of our schooling ..no child should be bullied because they struggle with being different and that need to be accepted is so important to all of us ..thanks for posting I am watching because I wanted to understand what my friend is going through just now because I found it a bit overwhelming myself as the observer and someone that seems to pick up on peoples feelings like a sponge ..this has been really helpful .

[@baileyhallfilms]

really compassionate raw real documentary on how this affects real human beings Philippa has a lot of analytical skills

[@Fiona2023]

Philippa doesn’t come across as particularly compassionate to me

[@cody_go_create]

@@Fiona2023same. Quite driven by her own prejudices..

[@ritubluefairy]

Diagnosed with Bipolar Schizoaffective all my adult life. Managing without medicine past 10 Years. Episode are less fluctuating meaning the high and lows are not severe

[@newtsification]

Often autism is misinterpreted as bipolar, especially if the presentation is rapid cycling. Sudden change, social demands, sensory overload and perceived injustice can all cause rapid mood change and emotional disregulation, whilst hyper focus can be mistaken for 'highs'. More developmental history needs to be gsined from individuals entering / engaged with mental health services before diagnosis is reached (IMHO!)

[@spongie7403]

You wouldn’t say that about schizophrenia which is definitely a chemaical imbalance and you NEED meds to treat it. It is the same for bipolar. This study is quite dangerous.

[@madebytaran]

Interesting look into the topic. I love Phillipa Perry for her writing. Ashley seems Autistic who had to mask a lot and have trauma from childhood bullies, I hope he finds the right therapist or community with asd. All different and courageous for being featured.

[@AZ-zz7xo]

Thanks for this amazing documentary! I actually wanted to know the insights of bipolar type 2, and their daily life experiences.

[@darcichambers6184]

The videos for psychologist and psychiatrist in training. Where they break down each major mental illnesses in the DSM for exams. Has much better explanations for bipolar then this documentary.

[@andrewgeraghty7495]

I gave up seeking romantic connections, because they kept throwing me out of kilter. I found a unique way to repair synaptic connections ----> that I would try and memorise how to say "hello", "Thanks and ""Goodbye" in any language I came across. After 20 years I'm up to 88 languages! 😵

[@Peace-tk3gr]

The first person she speaks to: if he's under the care of a psych doctor he'd be on meds so there would be no active delusions! Wtf is this?

[@cody_go_create]

She’s an idiot

[@naomibennett2000]

I really enjoyed this documentary. Having experienced hypomania myself I found it fascinating how everyone experiences mania differently. When I had my first episode I had religious delusions as well as thoughts that I would help cure my sister of her chronic illness. I’m glad I’ve only experienced one episode and I’m thankful for all of the health professionals that have helped me get back on track. Medication is definitely an amazing thing to have as well, I’m grateful for antipsychotics.

[@sarahfellows3074]

I've actually been to that spot outside Stratford-upon-Avon and absolutely beautiful. I think this documentary is very interesting and insightf. I do don't underestimate the impact of environmental factors in causing people's mental health

[@lifessorandom]

This is so painful to watch Ashley. I feel his emotion so hard. It’s constant, it’s a drain, it’s a headache that never stops. My mind is evil.

[@violettabicycletta331]

I personally enjoyed the sensitive way in which this problem was handled. You feel for those beautiful people's suffering ! And wish you could help . Dr. Joanna does not believe the drugs are the solution ... what is the solution then ? You can' t ask people with this issue to have the strength to master their feelings ... frankly !.

[@user-hi6nm9od2l]

Not a great educational video

[@MB-xv7er]

Why do you guys make us bipolar people out to be your little animals/case studies? Like is it just not possible to do a documentary without making us that way ?

[@Opopopop-pn7ws]

What the hell? You should be thankfull people tried to understand you. It means they care

[@darcichambers6184]

​@Opopopop-pn7ws doing documentaries while we are in episodes doesn't help understand us. We are more then our highs and lows. It takes time, but many of us do well on meds which is why we have a tendency to stop taking them after a while.

[@Opopopop-pn7ws]

@@darcichambers6184 i thinl when we are in our fuck up state, we should be seen. bipolar means, we have fluctuating moods that makes us react in extreme, and we are rarely in equilibrium state of emotion. like life is never flat, in bipolar people. either they are high, like they are using drugs/narcotics, or they are down like they just havent drink their drugs, right? thats how our brain operating, most of the time, when our bipolar attacking. i have my moment, but not right now. definitely not right now. but i have my bipolar moment, and i will be really glad, if i have a therapist who tried to understand me, and dig down to my mental scars to help me. because i have many

[@Opopopop-pn7ws]

@@darcichambers6184 in my case, in my observation, some people trigger my bipolar. ex, Lady Diana. ofcourse by marrying King Charles, she can get bipolar from it. but is lady Diana has bipolar? some people trigger my bipolar. and i am so much happy and stable if i am not around them. narcisist definitely trigger my bipolar

[@Opopopop-pn7ws]

@@darcichambers6184 ex, i have ex manager, when i got fractured foot, what i needed was rest, not socializing on christmast even but she decided what i needed was socializing at christmast event and she did not listen to me, ofcourae she triggers my bipolar

[@darcichambers6184]

Ashley reminds me of how I was as a teen, before I got my bi-polar diagnosis at 16. (It would be type 1 with psychosis today)

[@sue7621]

The power of belief and positive thought ! ❤️💜❤️🕊️🙏🌎

[@stevenkrouse3477]

She seems hellbent on trying to label everything as just a survival mechanism or response to trauma rather than chemical imbalances. My father is bipolar , im bipolar and i didnt meet him till i was an adult

[@sarahjackson8773]

I don’t think Paul will have the mental clarity to remember anything you said while manic let alone ‘manage’ those periods. What a terrible documentary

[@JennySiede]

This IS so helpful, I now understand what Bipolar I is like as shown to us through Paul.

[@wildlightarts]

Paul's mind is extremely creative. If only there was a way to help him ground himself and his ideas and channel the energy into story telling or writing books or screen plays.

[@nedthestaffieegan3452]

This might have been a better doc if it didn't feel like there was an agenda. There was a sense that it was about testing and verifying theories around whether theres a link between BP and trauma....theres nothing wrong with this in the context of scientific research, it just doesn't work as a documentary.Also, its not useful to approach this from a purely psychological basis. While therapy can be helpful, there are too many variables that need to be considered

[@strollingthroughparadise353]

Well done, especially her last words about self exploration, which is the very best way to understand your own way of being in the world.

[@bipolarlife7405]

i was struck as a kid , witnessed domestic violence and sexually assaulted for about 4 years...Today i fight Bipolar, PTSD and Anxiety as well borderline Personality disorder ..lifes a dream NOT

[@sarahcooper6507]

This therapist is excellent

[@marymckenna2211]

So good to get the suitable therapist for Treating bipolar

[@ValerieMorris-i2t]

ALL I CAN DO...... is hope that, that piece of work doesn't cause more despair for people. BP suffers themselves will not be Won Over as for going with. The people that surround us if we still have any..Will not be helpfully informed. Very happy childhood. 60 yr old female/mother. Bipolar 2 sufferer since 39. Medicated with both Antidepressants & Mood Stabilisers. Came of my Antidepressants after 12 yrs. But remain on My Mood Stabilisers.

[@oddrunhaland]

"I very reluctantly have to take on board the fact that genes may well have a determining factor into whether somebody develops bipolar or not" - what an extraordinarily narrow understanding of the pathology diseases! As always, genes are the critical determinant of - not all - but certainly many chronic diseases, the question is how these are expressed or not.

[@Globaldave1970]

Genes set the gun, environment pulls the trigger

[@blackswan1983]

Ash isn't bipolar - he's traumatized. Maybe there's a personality aspect involved since other people influence how he feels.

[@LoisBrent]

Borderline?

[@veroniquelicursi2210]

I think he has borderline, triggers easily make him switch from happy to sad, he seems to feel empty :( I hope hes okay

[@vickybrisson2822]

I think he has a cocktail of mental illnesses, some of them goes hand in hand and therefore can be very hard to discover.

[@gingerdeladis31]

The "everything is caused by trauma" has credence but it is still a theory, an ideal.

[@stonemirror247]

I've been diagnosed as bipolar but I think my root issue is anxiety. But in any case, the trauma that incites problems like these doesn't have to be from youth. Youth could set the stage, but then there is a real time circumstance and response. My traumas were about breakups and my own shame and guilt at not being good enough to participate in the relationship. It bled over into my sense of conscience/religion. The truth was that I and someone else weren't compatible, the delusion was that I was doomed to be unworthy, and if for her, then for everybody, and then feeling shunned by God because I'm the reason I'm unworthy. The stage had been set by the perfectionism that comes from needing approval from my parents. My need was always to be understood. I might not be able to speak for everybody, but I needed to be debated. Which means 1)listened to INTENTLY, being given the benefit of the doubt, and 2) having people intelligently push back on any suppositions with complete honesty and trustworthiness, perhaps with a little bit of a thick skin. When someone actually listens to you and believes your experience of how you got there, at least you aren't dealing with the weight of overwhelming emotion alone. That's my experience.

[@KathBorup]

People are more able to do 'self-exploration' when they are correctly medicated and treated, just look at the businessman the host even commented on how he was not easy to communicate with when he was manic. Bipolar isn't a random term, it is a serious mental illness. Also for a lot of people who have it, getting the diagnosis can actually help them make sense of why they are suffering.

[@cwarpaint2763]

Great work. Huge variations in diagnoses people.

[@Ianarling]

A very ignorant phycotherapist! It was painful watching her assume that our condition can be tamed with merely addressing psychological trauma. 1. Mother from Wales denies any childhood trauma 2. Bipolar expert determined that there are definitely biological traits 3. Qualified doctor attempts to educate her on the chemical imbalances that cause mood swings 4. The musician's parents were clearly loving and supportive, no evidence of trauma. Filming of this documentary took over 6 months, someone with an open mind would have used that amount of time to self educate. Cat scans have proved that the brain functions differently between states, ❤ bipolar is not a battlefield. It is not something that is conquered by hard work or sessions with a phycotherapist ❤ However, where credit is due. She did end the documentary in a constructive manner. There is definitely a part for physiotherapists to play in managing the trauma and distress that bipolar inflicts.

[@marymckenna2211]

In my case lithium sodium valproate work. And having good insight into multiple traumas in my life and having some therapy around that

[@blackswan1983]

The chemical imbalance theory was disproven this year.

[@blackswan1983]

​@@marymckenna2211 Yes the trauma part is huge. Mine was sparked by medical trauma from infancy. It also runs in family. Only those of us with some type of extreme trauma like that ended up symptomatic.

[@meganbrix]

I looked up her qualifications, she has a degree in fire arts and was trained in psychotherapy, could not find that she actually has a degree in it.

[@mirandaandrea8215]

Really felt for Ashley! Nice guy!

[@SaviorCross]

In my late 50's, as a high school teacher, I woke up one morning with the desire to murder, literally, the high school principal who I felt was endlessly persecuting me, that's when I made an emergency appointment at the hospital. The registered nurse clinical something, said I'm showing symptoms of cyclo-mania, I asked her what was that, then she said that I had bi-polar 2, I asked her what that was, when she explained it, my whole life flashed before my eyes, everything in my life made sense...when I left, I called my younger brother, and with tears in my eyes, I walked nearly 3 miles while talking with him on the phone. I've only told four people, and they haven't judged me. The meds don't really work, so I try to say busy. The registered nurse said that being a teacher works because it gives me structure. So, summertime is a struggle, yet since knowing what it is, I've learned what triggers me and the signs that I am being triggered. And there are times when I just can't get out of bed, I just lie there. Yest when mania hits. I can write full script sin a week, really good screenplays, and later wonder where these ideas came from. I often feel misunderstood, and I don't like being around someone I don't know because I feel that I have to force myself to have a conversation with them. And I have a hard time understanding the emotion of people. Like if they're crying in front of me, I don't feel anything. I feel like the Vulcan, Spock.... I've still accomplished d many of my creative genes, yet I wish I knew back in my youth what the issue was, as I remember i my 30's a friend of mine saying, "You have a mercurial personality". Looking back, I can see why. Why I told my ex-fiancé, the first thing she said was, "I wondered why you were always angry." She doesn't judge me. I wouldn't wish this with anyone. Yet I am living the best life that I can. I'm normal to me.

[@Niki-mo1wf]

I had trauma as a child when my mother left me and my father when I was 5yrs. I felt abandoned by her. I said out loud to myself at 8yrs old, that I knew "I'm second to any of my mind boyfriends" My father got remarried when I was 8... they both spoke badly of my mother. I found bad friends and did some drugs when I was a teen. Got pregnant at 27 and had an emotional pregnancy due to the fact the father didn't want anything to do with her. It was absolutely heartbreaking for me!! I cried everyday. I was stressed everyday. Our daughter's father and I stayed together to this day.(married) But there are deep underlying issues I'm sure that I don't even realize. I just keep my faith in Jesus and pushing forward. I know I won't be like this forever. I take the pain and grow the best I can from it.

[@sebastianliwinski222]

Paul... hmmmm, I once thought I'm suffering from Bipolar. I think I was wrong now. I'm on the Ashley's side but less extreme. Like someone has said it's more of a complex PTSD. Don't want to sound too judgemental, but at the end of this documentary I'm positive to discover where Paul's condition came from. Mind is such a powerful matter!

[@argusfleibeit1165]

From what I've been reading about mental health treatment in Great Britain, they've underfunded it to make it nearly as bad as what we have in the US. We're lucky to get to see a psychiatrist to get medication, but in many cases therapy is unavailable or unaffordable. Sure, provide more funding for therapy. Provide more funding for everything.

[@stephanieh5478]

Anyone with BPD feel like these were extreme am cases? Bc I felt like am not as bad.. Hope they are feeling better!

[@Anonymous_Anon882]

None of them were particularly extreme. Bipolar disorder can be relatively mild (as mild as something like that can be) but it can also be extremely severe. It’s a spectrum.

[@savingpeace8452]

I am not bipolar I am infinipolar I see the whole of the moon lol best manic quote ever

[@lindseyspence3140]

I went through trauma as a child I had several traumatic experiences that I think contributed to me developing bipolar

[@bipolarlife7405]

The voice in my head and probably last last fella is my mind narrating the story in my head...in a way talking to your self ..weird but true

[@arcticgoddess]

Find a good psychiatrist/medication manager who has experience with bipolar. Then do the medication, and try and fail at them for awhile until you find a good combo of antidepressant and mood stabilizers. The most critical thing for me is proper sleep, exercise and avoiding sugar, alcohol and any kind of sedative/xanax etc. It trips the depression. I miss my hypomania. I was talented, confident and successful. The crashes nearly killed me. Had rough spots in my childhood but Dad was bipolar and a talented artist. Now I mostly have a low to medium grade depression about 1/3 of the time. Therapy bever worked fir me but i have heard good things About CBT. I'm going to try a ketamine clinic when my p doc gets trained...

[@lifessorandom]

I’m so scared to find a therapist because of so much trauma 😔

[@maxinemcclurd1288]

It's hard for others to be around bipolar people who are off their meds. It's exhausting.

[@missh.307]

Its criminal that Ashley has been on those drugs that long, #Horrific and total failure of the medical profession.

[@jellyjuice6941]

Well not really his mood would be terrible and probably wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the meds

[@nikstar1313]

Ashley showing his music is like my brother showing my mother his computerised break core music and she’s pretending to like it.

[@grumpydomppa8666]

Without medication I would have been long gone. I would have died on dr*gs while manic or ended my life in deep depression or mixed episode.

[@argusfleibeit1165]

Seeing Ashley struggle to function with his band was all too real and familiar.

[@Eurafrican]

I have been privileged through my work as a mental health professional to see people struggling with Bipolar Disorder. I also have relatives who I have seen struggle with this condition. My own diagnosis is ADHD, PTSD, GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), Depression and Psychosis. I can relate to the hyperactivity of mania, the low mood depression and psychosis which many people on the Bipolar spectrum have. This is THE BEST documentary I've seen on Bipolar Disorder, and I've seen many good ones. I felt sad especially for Paul during his erratic mania, Sian's fear of passing on her condition to her children and Ashley struggling with mood cycling and Autism. It was very well presented by Phillipa, and her analysis of the various situations these three found themselves in gave me real insight. I hope more of these are produced.

[@rszoxfic9800]

If you are a mental health professional and think this is "THE BEST" documentary on Bipolar Disorder, I'm seriously concerned. For people who actually suffer BD, this documentary is nothing else than a bag of prejudices, judgements and misrepresentations. The interviewer has no clue of what it is like to live with this awful disorder and that's why she doesn't seem to understand anything about it. Seems like she just tried to find the people with the most extreme form of the disorder when the majority of the people with BD are not like that. It's because of documentaries like this we keep facing stigma in society. They showed people with extreme levels of the condition, which then makes people think we all are just experiencing those extreme levels of grandiosity or "madness" like Paul, or absolute depression where we can't even talk like Ashley. Most of the people suffering with bipolar are not like that. They kept referring to all of Ashley's symptoms as a cause of the bipolar (like not being able to talk during depression), when very clearly a lot of that behaviour was part of his autism.

[@rdallas81]

More to Paul than meets the eye.

[@JOY-yb7mg]

I feel so sad with Ash he looks very affected . I hope he could be treated with another combination of meds to better control 😢

[@liketheroman]

The doctor’s 1 in 10 figure for children’s risk of inheriting bipolar isn’t accurate: it seems to be closer 50% if one parent has the diagnosis. Can’t find the 1 in 10 figures anywhere. Open to seeing evidence.

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

Bloody hell. No disrespect to Paul but seeing someone so completely delusional to this level and so out of touch with reality is pretty scary. Moses and Putin living in a mansion he owns as the center of the universe is pretty far out. Even for someone on an LSD trip let alone in a non intoxicated or drugged state. It's hard to get head your head around what's going on his mind.

[@rachelalexandria717]

No no no no no, I understand what he’s saying. We just aren’t understood by people who aren’t like us. How can we all get together?

[@KathleenBlanco-t1b]

I’m in my hypomania state which feels like the IT Clown. I feel completely disheartened and absolutely abhorrently dissatisfied with life. As much as I have a healthy son and man, I’m worried alll the damn time that my mildly autistic son is “mildly autistic “ because of my own struggles too being a late bloomer.

[@lanatedford3569]

I would be interested in knowing how these 3 have done several months to a year after this documentary. especially with psychotherapy. I have recently been diagnosed with bipolar at the age of 58, however I have never grieved the losses of the people in my life that i have loved. I wonder if there is a connection. Very interesting documentary. Just wished it had taken it a bit further.

[@arunjohn708]

Good Content..... ❤️ you all

[@wangarirenata8313]

I live with bipolar 1 and I'm like Paul most of the time ...I'm beginning to lose hope in life and this called bipolar that makes me live in regrets and fear

[@lisahutchins8186]

❤

[@hollymackintosh2270]

instead of focusing on if these people who have bipolar disorder have been through trauma, she needs to focus on what actually helps them cope in day to day life. I am 99% sure that psychotropic medication will help them recover from a depression or mania rather than delving into their past. Psychotherapy can only help to an extent. speaking from someone with experience of therapy and medication

[@hollymackintosh2270]

27:33 :)

[@liketheroman]

From Personal experience, it is best when both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions are available in tandem.

[@user-el2yx7xx1w]

​@@liketheroman mthfr

[@mazer4112]

I wonder if anybody’s ever thought if hyperbaric chamber treatments might help some of these people

[@fnm66]

My husband has bi polar ****he would not take medication and he ruined our marriage ****l am not living with him and never want to ever again

[@mikerope5785]

It's frankly *dangerous* to frame bipolar I as anything other than a chemical dysregulation, as evidenced by the efficacy of drugs during acute phases. It matters not one iota past trauma or 'parenting style,' because you cannot edit the past. Recontextualizing the past does not change the ability for patient to experience trauma in the future, and along with the predisposition, precipitate a trip on the neurotransmitter rollercoaster.

[@User20bdbdhd388]

My husband of more than 20 years has bipolar disorder 2. I’m sure he has it because he is sensitive, and had no parents emotionally available. His mom was using him for attention by making him sick or preventing he was sick. So fucked update youth and not learning to handle intens emotions is in my opinion what causes this. Medication made things worse a lot of the times because he tends to abuse the medication. He can handle a low dose of if he is consistent, and it’s just to take of the sharp edge.

[@Inquisitor2024]

As a child of an alcoholic whose mood swings were outrageous high, 1 minute low the next., Fighting two minutes later, Then maybe laughing, No wonder people are bipolar

[@cybercab]

She seems very set on environmental conditions. It’s actually about 15-20% environmental according to most recent studies. Bipolar is outside of her field of study but one might do some research.

[@lilasfaves7846]

My dad sounded just like first man this and wrote it out in reams of typewriting papers. He was a survivor of Dunkirk prisoner of war imprisoned in Poland for 5 year at age 18. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia tho it was v v sad

[@mr.sushi2221]

I found this very degrading

[@cornsyruptrucker]

I'm bd2. bd1 is something that has always interested me due to the sufferer when they get their manic episodes they dont even remember it. For me my manic episodes are hypo, but the meds help deal with those. For me, my hypos are usually similar to Shawn's (maybe Sharon?) including the failed suidice attempts. The worst of them happened when I used weed, which made me super delusiomal, and paranoid at the same time. For those with bd2 pleas avoid weed in particular, it fucks us up bad. And remember TAKE YOUR MEDS. please.