@article{discovery10047103, month = {September}, journal = {Issues in Mental Health Nursing}, pages = {858--864}, note = {{\copyright} 2017 Taylor \& Francis Group, LLC. This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.}, publisher = {TAYLOR \& FRANCIS INC}, volume = {38}, year = {2017}, title = {"Being Bipolar": A Qualitative Analysis of the Experience of Bipolar Disorder as Described in Internet Blogs}, number = {10}, keywords = {Science \& Technology, Life Sciences \& Biomedicine, Nursing, Psychiatry, PREVALENCE, SPECTRUM}, issn = {1096-4673}, url = {http://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1355947}, author = {Mandla, A and Billings, J and Moncrieff, J}, abstract = {In the light of debates about the nature of bipolar disorder (BD), the current article presents a thematic analysis of Internet "blogs" by self-identified bipolar sufferers. Extreme and frequent fluctuation of mood was considered the principal feature of BD, along with a broad range of other problems. BD was often invoked as an explanation for life difficulties or lack of achievement, and was mostly regarded as a brain disease. Most bloggers emphasized the importance of drug treatment, along with the self-management techniques. The blogs present a "bipolar identity," which is much broader than traditional definitions, are based on a medicalized model of the disorder, and are connected to the moral function of enabling people to externalize unwanted aspects of the self.} }