46 Truths
Welcome all!
As a mental health advocate (and patient), I am beginning to read more and more articles that shed light on the truth about mental illness. As we learn how to weave this new vocabulary into our daily exchanges, however inaccurate, at the very least we are talking about it. That said, it is a common occurrence that those (of us) living with psychological enthusiasm often encounter those who simply do not (or can not) understand the illness(es), and the toll it takes on (our) daily lives. Let this space be a place to discuss the truth and debunk the myths about mood disorders.
Additional Reading: 46 Truths People With Bipolar Disorder Wish Others Understood
I feel the same way sometimes. I have PTSD and major depression. The depression has really taken It's toll. It's taken alot of back and forth med wise to get it overall under control. People sometimes tell to snap out of it, or get out more. I try and tell them it's not that easy. If it was, I wouldn't be llike this. You wouldn't think this day in age, it would be this difficult for people to understand. But as much as people can be more open, mental health unfortunately, carries a huge stigma still.
I wouldn't say I have depression, but I have really bad anxiety. I can relate.
Anxiety can be debilitating. I visibly shake.
Stay strong x
It really does, which is why I use the energy I do have to advocate for others and ultimately myself. Telling someone who can't even walk to their mailbox without crying to "get over it" is just obnoxious. I would like to think much of this has to do with ignorance as opposed to arrogance. Therein lies the importance of support and education, often times, through work very much like 7 Cups.
Thank you so much for sharing. You're right. It is not easy. But I hope now you have realized that you are not alone. I also attend DBSA (Depression Bi-Polar Support Alliance) support groups where I hear the stories of others and empathize so deeply I could cry. I am glad you are here.
I'm sorry to hear that people have treated you like that. I know that it is rooted in a misunderstanding of the illness, but at the same time, we should all be far more educated in mental illness.
Stay strong.
All my love,
Lee.
I wish more people would read this article. My boss once commented to another employee that perhaps I was off my meds instead of realizing that I was truly upset with the situation. It was unprofessional to bring upmy confidential information to one of my peers and I was hurt that she automatically assumed it was my bipolar that caused my reason for being mad.
@reliableCity4267
My heart goes out to you. One of the first essays I wrote last semester was on mental health stigma in the work place in general, and specifically, the impact this has on pilots. In light of recent airline crashes it has become a discussion that needs to be had. This article is very insightful about what happens as a result of those with mental health records being less likely to disclose that information to hiring professionals due to the stigma surrounding the illness(es).
WIRED: We Have No Way to Screen Every Pilot for Mental Illness
I am so sorry you were hurt by those in the work place. I generally keep my personal details to myself for a similar reason. I spend all of time advocating for others, however, I still stigmatize myself and worry for the implications this might have on my professional life.
I'm so sorry that happened. I wish people understood better.
All my love,
Lee.
Thank you so much for sharing!! This is great!
@Xtina215
You're most welcome. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. 
Hello, I worked as a staff nurse, mental health, Staff Nurse for eleven, left to have my second family. Through various reasons, 3 years later, I had my last child, husband told me on sons birth he had set up home with another. Few months later, I was diagnosed as bi polar, I lost my friends, who I had previously worked with, some crossed road instead of talking to me. They thought they might catch it, considering they are mental health practioners they did not practice, what they preached. There is no voice for a client, any resistance/verbal is seen as confirmation of illness. I used to be proud of my role, but treatment was totally awful. This effects whole life, lost, friends, husband, family, pride,dignity,voice, respect for my professionals?
@wonderfulIcicle35
Unfortunately your story is not uncommon. I am so sorry things unraveled for you so quickly. Support is so important, especially in a professional setting. You would think that those of us who work in the field of psychology/mental/behavioral health would gain better access to resources without receiving stereotypes and career-ending ultimatums.
My favorite author on the topic is Kay Redfield Jamison. She is an American clinical psychologist who writes academic texts, as well as, a memoirist who writes of her journey with Manic Depression (Bi-Polar Disorder) within the field of psychology. Her 1995 release, An Unquiet Mind, provides a great deal of insight toward what happens in the personal and professional setting. Perhaps this book would provide you with good company.
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison
Thank you so much for your reply, I have already read the book, yes very good, best wishes
Wonderful! I am so glad to hear that. You are most welcome.
PS forgot to say I don't feel I am bipolar, I had recently had a baby, lost partner, dad told me not to tell rest of family he may be dieing! I did have a psychotic break/but only 1 relapse in 11 years, mix up. I have gone from size 12/14 to 24 and can't lose weight despite how hard I try. No one listens despite what I say, my parents and husband very manipulative, ganged up on me, to get what they wanted, husband new partner/money and my dysfunctional parents my children. Both succeeded, I am left with nothing, if I try to say anything uses this as a way to prove diagnosis? I have had 11 years of solitary confinement and not committed a crime! Family believe them, alone, very cold in Siberia?
PPS People do not see me any more, just my label, I'm more than that, please see me!
@wonderfulIcicle35
Your story is so heartbreaking. I am sorry you feel the ones in your life have hurt and manipulated you so. No one deserves that. Do keep in mind, however, all it takes to meet criteria for Bi-Polar Disorder (Manic Depression) is one manic episode in one's lifetime. Most people do not realize there are long periods of normalcy in between. If you feel this diagnosis is inaccurate, I recommend speaking with your practitioner about other possibilities to ensure you are as happy and stable as possible. I would hate for you to be triggered and un-medicated by another life-event.
I hope you are able to redefine your support very soon. I am glad you are on 7 Cups.
@wonderfulIcicle35
Remember one thing about your bipolar medss, some of them can put on an easy 30 kilos in a year, If you are taking your meds properly, you probably will see some weight gain.
Don't be hard on yourself for that
I was miss digonosed in the mental helth ward its taken 3 years to work it out good news is there onto it and im starting to find my self for the first time in my life
Even though I advocate for those with mental health issues, especially children, I am unable or unwilling to be honest with those in authority in my workplace. I think I could possibly lose my job if they feel that affects my performance. Sadly, it did affect my job performance, but I was scared to tell. I never told. It is a big secret that I carry around. I wish there was no stigma.
@Alwaysdreamin
I completely understand that. Although I think it is important to remember that these are private personal matters and not always appropriate to share with employers. However, when it affects our ability to function, I wish we felt hiring professionals were approachable on the matter. I do not think your fear is uncommon, unfortunately. May you always find comfort and good company on 7 Cups.
"I can't seem to get motivated andI am not depressed.I think I am just lazy" is an assumption which people make often thatundermines the potential for understanding their predicamentand willingness to seek help within the realms of a mental health problem. Difficulty with motivationare common symptoms of borderline/ mood disorders.It can be debilitating and deserves respect without the stigma of being labeled the result of laziness.
@Aura47
This is a very good point. I think this is where acknowledgement comes into a play for a lot of people, including those living with mental health issues themselves. My husband, for example, takes a lot of pride in himself and is often labeled lazy when in fact he is transitional, feeling insecure, or even depressed. Fortunately I am able to detect this in him due to the nature of my work as well as my own struggle, although I think it brings him a great deal of shame to acknowledge how he is feeling when it is anything other than happy and stable. We have a lot of support, which has made all the difference. My husband had back to back episodes recently, and it wasn't until I approached him with compassion and a carefully worded letter that he was able to take accountability for that and become proactive in his wellness again.
Laziness is often associated with lack of motivation, sleeping too much, or a nonchalant attitude- which could very well be the case! But it is important to remember that it might also indicate depression.
Thank you for sharing.
I am afraid that I must basically confirm what other people have said. Do not tell others about your disorder (basically regardless of what the disorder is) under most circumstances. MAYBE if you really trust them.
When I was still in High School I let my school counselor know, and soon some of the mid level administration knew. I later had a falling out with one of my friends who tried to get me in trouble. I had not done anything wrong, so I never got in any sort of trouble for this, but I did have to talk my counselor and some of the administration people. They are required to look into anything that people say about you, even if it is baseless.
Soon, they began to ask me what medication I was on, started saying that maybe I was doing things as a result of the medication (this is not a potential side effect of the medication I was on...nor did I have any other side effects from that medication). They clearly began to assume the worst about me. I had a reputation as a really good kid, but this ex-friend of mine kept trying to get me in trouble. Instead of seeing that my ex-friend was trying to get me in trouble as revenge, they saw a kid who had developed some sort of emotionl/behavioral problems.
I have no doubt that things would have gone better if I had never told them. There was one admin who, fortunately, stood up for me and realized what was going on, but another became totally convinced that I was just a bad/crazy person. My counselor clearly began to think of me in terms of steriotypes, rather than as a person.
Keep in mind, this is for someone with a mood disorder. Not that anybody should go through this, but there are far more serious disorders than what I have.
Anyway, I didn't intend this post to be so long! Looks like I needed to vent a bit. Thank you for the opportunity! My advice to everyone: Don't tell people. Remember, you can always choose to tell them later. You can't choose to take the knowledge away after you tell them.
@Batman94
Thank you so much for your insight. I am thrilled you felt safe enough to share your story here. Please know I will never judge or analyze you.
You listed some really good topics here and a fine example of what can happen when your personal information gets into the hands of the wrong person. Similarly, this illustrates the stigma surrounding mental health and Bi-Polar Disorder specifically. I really hate when people associate any otherwise normal or validated emotion for an over reaction or symptom of mental illness. It angers me greatly.
I can relate to this as well. In high school I confided in a friend and it ultimately landed me in the psych ward. Even though I certainly needed the intervention at the time, I felt betrayed. I am so sorry your "friend" did this to you. I hope you have been able to find some peace.
Thank you. It really is helpful to be able to share things here. I just kept that bottled up for these last few years, and this is a very good space to share this, since there are other people like me, and this is anonymous. I think this is a really good service for people.
That is one of my biggest pet peeves. As a mentally ill woman I am often told that I am being overly sensitive, or "dramatic"(my least favorite word). Even if we have times where we are being irrational b/c of an illness, hormones, etc, invalidating our feelings only leads to further hurt and acting out. Validation goes a long way. Hence the existence of this site. But we also have long periods or "normalcy" or base line emotions where we are angry b/c someone did something warranting ANGER or whatever the emotion. I remember a time when my sister made me laugh uncontrollably. I was laughing b/c i find her to be one of the funniest people I know, in any mood. My mom asked me if i'd "taken my meds" that day... Feeling like people attribute every emotion you have to your disorder or meds is maddening (more so than already being ill).
This is pretty much exactly what I am talking about.
I can understand that they might take the disorder into account, but people really should be educated enough to realize that they should not over-generalize and attribute any action of ours they don't like to the disorder.
I definitely agree. There are emotions that aren't a part of a mentally ill persons actual illness.
*Removed by Forum Mentor for inappropriate content*
@adaptablePrune5699
This forum thread is about the stigma surrounding mental illness in general, and Bi-Polar Disorder specifically. Please refrain from using inappropriate word-choice when posting your comments.
Thank you, kindly.
The first person's comment... She wishes people with bipolar would be more empathetic to those around them. Seriously?!? Would that be OK to say to someone with cancer? "Gee, I'm sorry you are suffering, but can you try to suffer less? I mean, you're making the rest of us uncomfortable. Why don't you try being cancer-free for a while?"
Sorry, that was supposed to be a reply to the 46 truths article from the OP.
Rants are allowed, all in good taste of course. :)
Hi, why can people judge you once, and you spend the rest of your life paying for this, even if some facts fit, more by coincidence than fact. I feel like one flew over the cuckoos nest, sorry probably shows my age? But I went in sane, since then have no voice! Many thanks.
I can also see a struggle between how people might identify real issues that arise from a disorder that somebody else has, but then also falsely identify some things as being the result of a disorder. It is hard for them to get it right because people are generally not educated enough to tell what is a symptom and what is a genuine reaction to a circumstance.
Thank you,I hear what you say.With time, communication/education perhaps this will change? Best wishes, take care
