46 Truths

Great Post, Blithe.

Such a major issue and part of the issues surrounding mental illness. The conversation is being had more and more often but the stigma has such a long way to go. Having both a mood and personality disorder, I can attest to the fact that having my mood disorder acknowledged and accepted (not necessarilyunderstood or empathized) would have helped me not to develop a learned personality disorder. The outside world (including my immediate family)'s stigma towards mental illness and lack of knowledge led me down a path of confusion and distress until I ultimatelydecided to take my health into my own hands, do extensive research and become aware. That awareness and knowledge should be as readily available to our society as cancer awareness or diabetes research. The conversation has to be had and we have to keep addressing the stereotypes and fighting the stigma. Communities like this one are a huge part of internal/community support but now we have to also share our stories with the world. I am optimistic, however, that we will continue to fight for our spot in the light of the world and that even though the stigma may never be erased, that it will diminish greatly.

@SelenoPsych21

Beautifully stated.

This is why I advocate for organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness who dedicate their time and resources to ending stigma, and spreading awareness. It is powerful stuff.

Baby steps are better than none at all.

8. ?Everyone who has normal mood swings is not ?a little bipolar.'? ?Kaitlyn Wolff

Read more:https://themighty.com/2015/06/46-truths-people-with-bipolar-disorder-wish-others-understood1/#ixzz3f3nADZEB

This one speaks to me a lot, a lot, a lot. People generally misunderstand what it's like to live with bipolar.

Thank you for posting this.

All my love,

Lee.

This is so true and helpful. Many people do notunderstand mental health issuesand it really does hurt to be told that your illness is just something that is made up and to suck it up. It is nice to know that on here people, including myself, are not alone, when dealing with these types of feelings.

?People with bipolar are great people to hang out with. We do not need pity; we just need you to understand we are different.? ?Sam Kay

THIS!

Hello, My daughter is with guardians, my parents , she is 15 years old but he is very angry. Feelsfather and i left her, despite i see her most days. She has recently lost her boyfriend , but i feel she is near a breakdown,due tomy label no one listens to me, my being there seems to fuel situation, but if i leave she has noone?

p.s my label is bipolar

Personal rant:

I'm tired of a lack of comprehension of bipolar. People just think it's extreme mood swings but it is so much more than that. It is suffering over days, weeks, years. It's being caught in these overwhelming cycles. And no, mania isn't nice for everyone. Mania can be absolutely life-threatening in some cases.

That's what I've got for now.

My parents and brothers and sister in laws are the ones who look down on me because I have a mental illness. They constantly are making fun of me and spread rumors about me. My mom is the worst about starting a rumor that spreads throughout the whole family, extented family, then friends. Growing up they always thought I was doing all of this for attention and never got me help which lead to a really hard time when I first moved out until I saw a therapist and got the right diagnosis and meds. They still make jokes and it makes me so angry with them.