OT-SIAP: Johnny Manziel Diagnosed as Bipolar

Submitted by FauxMo on

https://nypost.com/2018/02/12/johnny-manziel-alcohol-bipolar-disorder-n…

Maybe this doesn't excuse all his behavior, but it certainly helps explain some of it and makes him a bit more sympathetic a person... 

EDIT: Wow, I kind of expected a bit more sympathy for a guy with a mental illness. I tend to believe him. Given the stigma surrounding mental illness - as nicely illustrated in this thread - it's not the kind of thing people make up and lay claim to very often... 

Wolverine in 312

February 14th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^

I don’t get what you are arguing. If what you are trying to say is that it’s not our choice, then you are somewhat correct. While it’s very common for drug addicts to have underlying mental or emotional issues, some people do drugs because they are fun and they do them too much and can’t stop. Coping mechanisms are helpful for addicts, but have nothing to do with why people drink or do drugs consistenly. Fucked up reward systems are the reason peoples like us continue to drink or do drugs

corundum

February 12th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^

Seems like many people who make rash decisions that negatively impact their lives as well as those around them are quick to self-diagnose as bipolar. In most cases these people are just assholes.

The Mad Hatter

February 12th, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^

and I've long thought they should change the name to "selfish asshole disorder", since that seems to be the major feature of the disease.  And I can confirm that she uses the condition as an excuse whenever she does something stupid or fucked up. 

I can't help it, I'm bipolar!  Is usually (though not always) complete bullshit. 

That said, Ketamine infusions work like magic for bipolars.  Unfortunately you need them once every 3-4 weeks at the bargain price of $600.

Oh and bipolar people should avoid alcohol like the plague.  It really does affect their brains differently.  And by differently I mean in a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sort of way.

ijohnb

February 12th, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^

kind of response is baffling.  A diagnosis of bipolar does not forgive a person of all wrongdoing on their part until that point in time, but getting treatment for it is the first step in trying to put that person on the right path going forward.  Why are people invested in him not having a mental illness?  Bipolar is real and is almost 100% comorbid with alcohol and drug abuse.  This would actually explain quite a bit. 

In reply to by ijohnb

Kewaga.

February 12th, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^

From the National Institue of Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism:

 

Several studies have reported an association between alcoholism and mood disorders. To date, there have been two large epidemiological studies of psychiatric disorders: the National Institute of Mental Health's Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study (Regier et al. 1990) and the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) (Kessler et al. 1996). The ECA study (Regier et al. 1990) revealed that 60.7 percent of people with bipolar I disorder had a lifetime diagnosis of a substance use disorder (i.e., an alcohol or other drug use disorder); 46.2 percent of those with bipolar I disorder had an alcohol use disorder; and 40.7 percent had a drug abuse or dependence diagnosis (the percentages of people with alcohol use disorders and drug abuse disorders do not add to 100 due to overlap). Forty–eight percent of people with bipolar II disorder had a substance use disorder, 39.2 percent had an alcohol use disorder, and 21 percent had a drug abuse or dependence diagnosis (these figures reflect overlap, as above.) As shown in the table, alcohol dependence was twice as likely to co–occur in people with bipolar spectrum disorders than in those with unipolar depression (i.e., depression without mania). It is also noteworthy that bipolar disorder was more likely to occur with alcohol dependence than with alcohol abuse (see table)

 

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/103-108.htm

In reply to by ijohnb

CraigMack

February 12th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^

mental illness. suffered my whole life with terrible OCD/Anxiety.  He's using this as an excuse for how he acted, still not taking responsibilty for being an asshole

ijohnb

February 12th, 2018 at 11:20 AM ^

have absolutely no idea if that is true or not.

Have you ever had somebody trivialize OCD?  Like, the people who think OCD is where you have to check if you left the stove on and don't understand what OCD actually is?  That is what you sound like right now.

In reply to by ijohnb

CraigMack

February 12th, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^

its a coincidence he's all off a sudden claiming he has been bi polar when he's trying to make a comeback?  good for him if is getting help, he should, too many dont have the means to get help. 

ijohnb

February 12th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^

onset for bi-polar is between 21 and 23.  Average age of diagnosis is 25.  He is 25 right now.  It is not a "coincidence," it's like, science.

And really, in his effort to make a comeback, his sales pitch is "come on, sign me, I just got diagnosed with this serious lifelong mental illness that will need to be monitored on a daily basis, are you on board?" 

Really?  If this was about making a comeback, "I was being an asshole and now I'm not" would have been much more effective.

rjc

February 12th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^

I'm sympathetic to anyone with this diagnosis but it's not a get out of jail free card that excuses his behavior.  It deserves sympathy and understanding but doesn't change the fact that he's pretty consistently acted like an entitled A-hole for his entire adult life.

The family history is pretty interesting...

https://deadspin.com/the-long-con-how-the-manziels-conquered-america-10…

 

UMProud

February 12th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^

I'm all for second chances God knows I've made my share of mistakes.  But from a business standpoint I would never risk large amounts of money on this guy if I was a NFL owner based on the damage he did to the Browns.  He will be lucky to get back in the NFL at the league minimum rate. 

MGoRob

February 12th, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^

Not the brightest crayon in the box all from this quote

“I was self-medicating with alcohol. That’s what I thought would make me happy and get out of that depression,” Manziel said.

Taking a depressant to relieve depression... stellar idea Johnny

MGoRob

February 12th, 2018 at 3:11 PM ^

Correct. But alcohol abuse is linked to depression.

Drinking will only make depression worse. People who are depressed and drink too much have more frequent and severe episodes of depression, and are more likely to think about suicide. Heavy alcohol use also can make antidepressants less effective.

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/alcohol-and-depresssion#1

MEZman

February 12th, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^

My wife is a Psychiatrist and she's always leery of anyone being diagnosed as bi-polar by anyone other than her or someone she know/respects. A lot of times it's easier to diagnose someone with bipolar when they really have a personality disorder. Personality disorders are extremely hard to treat whereas some docs would rather just call them bipolar and throw meds that don't really do much at them. 

 

Not saying that's the case here but just something to keep in mind.

Kevin13

February 12th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^

for him. If he's really bi-polar and taking meds it should help him and maybe he will get his life straight. I think the ball is really in his court and hopefully if nothing else he has matured some the last couple of years.

Now enough with the talk and show with your actions you are taking proper steps and slowly can gain peoples respect back.

HailHail47

February 12th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^

Your comment applies to me, I wish I had your wife as my doctor. I was diagnosed as bipolar in my teenage years during an extremely stressful period of my life where multiple things hit at once. They put me on about 6 different medications within a few weeks. That messed me up even more. I weened off all medications a few months later and haven’t needed it since, thank god. I can’t help but think I was misdiagnosed. I have lived a successful and happy life since that nightmare. I hope Manziel has a compassionate doctor.