But they're still annoying.

most people are insane, all we're really talking about is degrees

FTA

People who abuse substances are more likely to be violent.

Bipolar people were 10 x more likely to abuse substances.

Lets see if we follow the logic BBC...

I do agree, however, that properly treated, mentally ill people are quite functional. The problem is keeping them cared for.

Your girlfriend's not that bad, Subby. I've never had any trouble with her.

The study, led by Oxford University's Department of Psychiatry, examined the lives and behaviour of 3,700 people in Sweden who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic depression.

Well, sure. Swedes are very calm people.

Two words: tard strength.

They managed to slip something by, though. They claim that people with bipolar disorder are no more likely to be violent than people who abuse substances like alcohol and drugs. They then compare being near someone with bipolar disorder is no more dangerous than "walking by a pub." As if everyone who is in the pub is abusing alcohol (only a small number would be "abusing" alcohol).

They also don't mention that the population of bipolar disorder sufferers they use as their baseline is under active treatment for the disorder.

So tell us, doc: how does the untreated bipolar population compare to the normal population, as far as violence goes? Or how does a sufferer of the disorder compare when they drop off their meds?

Personal experience with people with bipolar disorders suggests that you're full of crap, medically speaking...

It's working! Since the judge ordered me to take that Anger Management course, I don't beat her up nearly as much as I used to (I'm down to maybe once or twice a week).

P.S. Support "Advocates for Better Mental Health" or I keel you!

I fell down some stairs.

Tell them depressed maniacs to chill man.

I call BS on this. It's just another example of being politically correct and ignoring reality.

cirby: They managed to slip something by, though. They claim that people with bipolar disorder are no more likely to be violent than people who abuse substances like alcohol and drugs. They then compare being near someone with bipolar disorder is no more dangerous than "walking by a pub." As if everyone who is in the pub is abusing alcohol (only a small number would be "abusing" alcohol).

They also don't mention that the population of bipolar disorder sufferers they use as their baseline is under active treatment for the disorder.

So tell us, doc: how does the untreated bipolar population compare to the normal population, as far as violence goes? Or how does a sufferer of the disorder compare when they drop off their meds?

Personal experience with people with bipolar disorders suggests that you're full of crap, medically speaking...

Exactly. I am sure they fiddled around here to make the whole "Mentally ill people aren't more violent!" statement. I'm willing to bet that untreated people, or your average paranoid schizophrenic, are much more likely to be violent. Of course, that's not what they WANT you to believe.

latent_ravening_ferocity: The study, led by Oxford University's Department of Psychiatry, examined the lives and behaviour of 3,700 people in Sweden who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic depression.

Well, sure. Swedes are very calm people.

I love how they claim that everyone can be covered by a study that only included people from a single country.

Lots of people jumping to conclusions in this thread, especially about possible bias behind this study.

Really what we're likely seeing in this article is some English major coupling a failure to understand the conclusions of the study, with a desire to say something controversial to attract readers.

A real scientific study on a subject like this would never make conclusions like, "The mentally ill are only as threatening as the rest of us!"

You'd be more likely to see, "Under such and such tightly controlled conditions applicable only to blah blah blah, there was a strong statistical correlation between rates of violent offenses between individuals with no diagnosed mental health issues, and those suffering bipolar disorder.

What a bipolar might look like:

Krymson Tyde: Hey is this talking about the kind of retard that drools and rubs shiat in his hair and all that, because I have a hard time eating around that kind of thing now. Just like I am with antique furniture and midgets. I can't so much as drink a damn glass of water around a midget or a piece of antique furniture. I ain't saying it's right, I'm just telling the damn truth.

I'm kinda tired this morning.. so I don't know if I'm missing the troll in this or if you are just a bloody moron. But just to play it safe.. "Welcome to the Ignore List".

I call it bullshiat.

/just be around someone not on their meds.

Super_pope: Lots of people jumping to conclusions in this thread, especially about possible bias behind this study.

Really what we're likely seeing in this article is some English major coupling a failure to understand the conclusions of the study, with a desire to say something controversial to attract readers.

A real scientific study on a subject like this would never make conclusions like, "The mentally ill are only as threatening as the rest of us!"

You'd be more likely to see, "Under such and such tightly controlled conditions applicable only to blah blah blah, there was a strong statistical correlation between rates of violent offenses between individuals with no diagnosed mental health issues, and those suffering bipolar disorder.

hmm, not sure I follow you,

The two officially diagnosed person with mental issues (one bipolar and the other with paranoid schizophrenia) that I've had at some point in my life caused a LOT of grief, crap, violence, etc.

The only time that they weren't violent or disruptive was when they were in a situation that they either were taking their medication, or in front of a cop/judge or such. And even then, their behavior were on a fine line, as on the meds, they still had/have serious lack of control and still have the perceptions from their ailment, the biggest difference, is that they don't act of them as much.

The times that I've seen (regarded normal) people act in a similar way was when they were either drunk or on drugs. Most times, these people ended up not very different when sober, the alcohol/drugs only brought out their inner dumb-arses.

So this study isn't proving much that people don't already know, if that's your point.

imfallen_angel: is that they don't act of on them as much.

FTFM

_/doh...

I know plenty of people who are bipolar that are not violent with or without medication and with or without treatment.

This illness is as varied as the people who have it.

Krymson Tyde: Hey is this talking about the kind of retard that drools and rubs shiat in his hair and all that, because I have a hard time eating around that kind of thing now. Just like I am with antique furniture and midgets. I can't so much as drink a damn glass of water around a midget or a piece of antique furniture. I ain't saying it's right, I'm just telling the damn truth.

That is one of my favorite lines in movie history. Doyle was one of the most finely crafted and realistic jerks ever conceived.

To be more on topic however I'm inclined to agree that the mentally ill population is generally no more violent than the sane population. At least that is the conclusion I've drawn from all of the psych courses I've taken and all of the crazy people I've had to deal with. That isn't to say that there aren't exceptions and places where the lines get blurred. Crazy and violent are broad classifications after all. Articles like this basically exist to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness, which is important. Yes crazy people are unpredictable and that can be scary but they are human beings first and foremost and should be treated as such. A little understanding goes a long way with the mentally ill. Perhaps if people were more understanding of each other in the first place there wouldn't be so many crazy people to deal with.

Krymson Tyde: Somebody want to quote this post so he knows it's a line from the movie Sling Blade?

He's one of those obnoxious farks that proudly broadcasts when he's decided he's too fragile to handle someone's words. Reckon you're better off.

/Mmmm-hmmm

Not sure if I'd classify bipolar as severe mental illness. It's just manic/depression cycles. There are plenty of ACTUALLY severely mentally disturbed people who are in fact dangerous to be around.

wonderful headline Subby!