This isn’t the kind of topic I’d normally raise on a message board. Or anywhere else for that matter. Not with such a degree of solemnity anyway. It reaches into personal areas I’d really prefer not to discuss. Clearly, in initiating this thread, I am taking advantage of the relative anonymity provided by our shared virtual environment.
I’ve been thinking about this thread for a couple of days. In my opinion it raises an issue which bears wider discussion, possibly, but not inevitably, in this forum. It’s here because those who hold strong and opposing opinions to my own on this matter should feel free to articulate their views unfettered by the constraints of etiquette demanded of them in other forums. You can dress this baby in the prettiest of clothes but underneath all that finery what remains is still a mental illness. It’s quite possible there’s a taboo on this still sensitive subject where it appears in conjunction with a lack of respect for it. If that’s the case I don’t have any respect for the taboo.
The condition probably arose during my teens but it was only diagnosed in the autumn of 2002. This followed years of treatment for a unipolar illness. Since then I’ve tried a shedload of different medication, the most recent of which is very effective in controlling the Mood Pendulum. I currently see a doctor every couple of months and a nurse visits every 3 or 4 weeks. I could go to see her but she likes my coffee, and indulging these seemingly unimportant yet totally understandable feminine whims is a simple courtesy which surely helps to keep this planet spinning successfully on its axis.
I use a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is totally useless and 10 is totally unpredictable. I’m currently running at about 6, indicative of a balanced state of mind. This information is necessarily anecdotal and your mileage may vary. If my rating drops below 3 or exceeds 7 I tend to avoid posting anything. When the pendulum swings to the extremities of its arc I can be contacted either lying down in a darkened room or choreographing a carnival in Havana. Therefore, please direct any replies to No. 6 and ignore everybody else.
Concerning the linked thread, I didn’t think twice about posting either the OP or my second post. Sometimes I do look at potential contributions and consider the possibility of controversy. Very occasionally I don’t post them. Most of us have boundaries, be they narrow or wide. In my opinion the thread went OK until a couple of responses arrived bearing tidings of implied criticism. For the avoidance of doubt, I want to make it clear that the object of my posts in that thread was not to mock anyone with a bipolar disorder. The intention was to diminish its threat using humour to treat it with disdain. If it’s a choice between me and bipolar I’m going to eat the fucker before it eats me.
Incidentally, I don’t usually give any credit to administrators or moderators. I think it’s bad for them. A misplaced plaudit could easily give a few of them delusions of grandeur unparalleled in the short but illustrious history of international message boards. That said, Dex’s post was inspired. It’s just the kind of response I was hoping for. In fact, it couldn’t have worked out better if I had actually suggested it to him myself.
I’d appreciate some opinions on the use of humour to alleviate the potential menace of the bipolar condition. Responses need not be confined to the linked thread. In order to give this thread some direction, I have questions, as hereunder. In each case the audience knows I am bipolar. Bear in mind also that timing and delivery need to be good. This is not always a given.
When I refer to jokes below it’s really a misnomer as far as I’m concerned. I’m much more likely to write something which, in my opinion, contains an implied irony within a short story rather than come up with a one-liner. Sadly, I can’t think of another way to illustrate my points.
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(1) I’m in a pub drinking with a few friends. One of them is bipolar. Can I make a bipolar joke.
My answer: Yes, totally. As long as it’s funny. A bad joke annoys everybody.
(2) I’m in a pub drinking with friends, none of whom is bipolar. Can I make a bipolar joke.
My answer: Yes, as long as the butt of the humour is either me or the problem itself.
(3) I’m giving a talk to 100 people, bipolar and others. Can I make a bipolar joke.
My answer: Yes, absolutely. Again, it needs to be a good one.
(4) I’m giving a talk to 100 people, none of whom are bipolar. Can I make a bipolar joke. My answer: I’d try one and one only. If it bombed I’d take heed of the bad reaction. If it hit the spot I’d quit while I was ahead.
(5) I’m a poster on a message board. Can I post a bipolar joke.
My answer: Yes, I can. However, I need to provide sufficient clues to unequivocally demonstrate either self-mockery or contempt for the problem (or both) rather than risk the ire of those who have it. In the linked thread the question must be whether or not I succeeded in so doing.
It should be understood that my answers differ if I myself am not bipolar. They read respectively (call them questions 6-10 if you like) Yes, No, Only If I’m A Doctor, No, No. There are circumstances in which I personally might be unconcerned by the source of such humour (it sometimes depends on context) and my answers are given with an optimistically wider appreciation of bipolar sensitivities. Please feel at liberty to point out other circumstances I may have carelessly omitted.
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To cover all the bases here, please note this OP invites neither sympathy or concern. To be candid, neither sentiment is welcome. The OP attempts to discuss humour as it relates to bipolar disorders. It doesn’t concern itself with my own situation specifically, notwithstanding the background given above. I’m willing to answer most questions which may arise from the OP, but there are places I would prefer not to visit, the Cuban capital being high on the list of undesirable destinations.
Furthermore I am not asking for medical advice. My current regime suits me fine. This comprises 100 mg Lamotrigine per day, 60 mg Duloxetine per day, and 3 or 4 pints of Hook Norton best bitter at least twice per week at the pub. And the occasional glass of cognac. Or two.
It would be useful if bipolar responders could identify themselves accordingly. This is obviously desirable rather than compulsory. Similarly, if a responder is professionally or personally acquainted with the condition (a carer perhaps) I would be interested in knowing that fact.
Anyone who has read this far must be blessed with both stamina and enviable powers of concentration. Such assiduity is to be applauded.
Many thanks.
Also, there’s lots more goodies than that, but hopefully that’ll explain my take on why humor is one of the best remedies towards dealing with this shit.