What Are Common Reactions to Being Diagnosed With Bipolar?
When diagnosed with bipolar disorder, people experience a range of emotion – anxiety, anger, bewilderment, fear and relief. Some reject the diagnosis; others agree with the diagnosis but downplay its significance; and others over-identify with the diagnosis so that bipolar disorder becomes their identity. Commonly, people vacillate between denial and acceptance, even long after their initial diagnosis. Part of the challenge people face is understanding where normal mood variations end and where bipolar disorder starts.
