The Eyes Have It

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I've noticed with pictures of my family members I can tell by the look in their eyes regardless of their facial expression which pictures were taken before they had Bipolar Disorder and after because there's just this look there of... I don't know I guess deadening sorrow.  I was wondering if anyone else noticed this with people they were around who have an inner conflict going on such as that and/or also thought that a person's eyes give away stuff like that or not.

[LetaB]

I've noticed in recent photos that I have crazy eyes. They just seem a little alarming - even to me - sort of...desperate.
I read a book sociopaths (The Sociopath Next Door) that stated that many people who have known one say "there's something about their eyes..." that creeps them out.
The bible says that the eyes are the window to the soul. Very poetic but I do think it captures some truth.
The only sociopath I know has these bright, shiny, blue eyes that seem to be reading you all the time.

[ILADVOCATE]

When I was a child I looked at a photo of my great aunt that was taken at around the turn of the century. She was very depressed but had reason to be as she had severe arthritis. But this was many years before and she had a very sad expression on her face and my grandmother (who was near to an infant in the photo was smiling). I said "she was always this way" to people but they didn't know what I meant and I didn't quite know either. Now I know she probably had depression and given her ability to suddenly tell explicit off color stories for no reason (even in front of me as a child) and become emotive perhaps bipolar. Some of her family do. It does run through my family but the good part is now they are aware and a cousin is in treatment and when her children showed signs didn't panic but got them help as well. So its like anything else treatable that's genetic.
  As for myself in old photos I look markedly depressed, manic or psychotic and I don't anymore so it is very visible.

[Twelvesgirl]

I am just curious if you have known of your BP your whole life? Or do you have pics of yourself pre BP and do you notice the difference in yourself? I just read the question so I haven't gotten into looking at pictures of myself yet, but I definitely will. I love the topics you bring in to this forum to discuss!

[Kifus]

My family can always tell by my eyes when I am having psychotic thoughts!