I'm Bipolar, but I'm not...
I found this video on youtube of people standing up to the stigma of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder does not define you, it's simply something you deal with.
So you have bipolar disorder... but WHO are you?
What stigmas have you had to deal with?
I have had a family member tell me to count my blessings, write them down. Like it was going to cure me.
I have had another family member tell me "You are not trying hard enough" Because I still experience depression. . .
"Are you on medication?!?!" Like they just saw a monster that could snap and eat them at any moment.
How much fighting stigma will it take? How may decades?
@OrangeYouGlad68
Oh wow, I'm so sorry you've had to deal with all of that. It's no fun at all. I wish people could understand the battle we fight every day.
@OrangeYouGlad68
Family members are always the ones with the least compassion because they are too close to the situation.....
So tough to hear
Dont fester with it though........ families often try to deliver tough love.......a kinder member of your family would be a better support to you......
Establishing with one of them that you are doing your best and that you have your out of family support, a counsellor and facilitator...... families often respect structured things like work.....like marriage etc...... and also family members love guilt tripping eachother........often their shitty comments and this goes for anyone ......are projections........learn to see them as that......
Theres is some good behind their pressure
Being greatful is a very good thing to be...
Trying harder is a bit harsh.....but thats the tough love thing.
I really dont agree with the medication comment so you can just learn to ignore ignorance and certainly not react to those comments
I Honestly think if you assert some of these things really courageously with them theyll get it.
@Sunshinelollipops81
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I will ponder and re-read it.
I get people who are really understanding and kind when I am depressed, but not when I am manic because sometimes I say things I don't really mean when I lose my fliter. I just wish my friends would uncondtionally support me, rather than leaving when it becomes difficult for them. They also like to tell me all about how terrible I am after when I'm feeling better, which always makes me feel worse and just makes it feel like this is more about them than me.
@mvpeng
Im so sorry that your friends don't seem to understand your manic episodes, or how they are hurting you when they say those things when you feel better. Mania can sometimes be difficult to grasp for people who have never experienced it before. Have you tried talking to them about symptoms of mania? Or have you told them they are hurting your feelings?
@mvpeng I had a lot of issues with that senior year of high school. I lose my filter and fight with people while hypomanic, and people would not let me live it down. These were classmates, not friends, so I didn't want to disclose to them that I had bipolar disorder. It got me in a lot of trouble.
@HungryAlpaca
I think you were really wise to not disclose that info with people that are not friends of yours......
I recon looking at meditative techniques to help calm you down if you feel a mood swing comin on.....
Also I can't say enough how things like magnesium helps to calm the nervous system
I really would look at a 3 pronged approach of exercise supplementation and counselling......
I am a single mom, a college student, a employee who works full time.. I am an addict in recovery, a daughter, and a friend.. The stigma around bipolar disorder is ridiculous! People either do NOT understand it (like believing someone going from happy to angry quickly means they are bipolar) or they think anyone with bipolar is insane! I've told my co-workers that I am bipolar and it's changed how they view it completely..
I'm Bipolar, but I'm not crazy... :)
I'm told I'm crazy all the time. I'm told I choose how I feel. I'm told I need to stop acting like an immature child and grow up. get over things. Anymore I don't care.
I learned very early to be careful who I told I was bipolar. The first time I did I lost my job of 20 years over things I was accussed of but did not do but I am at this point in my life very open about my mental illness because I think it helps reduce stigma
@victoriousParadise88
I really feel the working world could benefit from a lot of adjustment, the world at large is so very judgemental about so many things that relate to being human, yet we proport to be so open minded and strive for it and were ewual opportunities blah blah blah. The same stigmas about mental health and racism ade rife......I dont blame you in thr slightest for being very careful about who you tell what to....... but im so glad your very open about it now
I think the stigma of being seen as hopelessly crazy, like so many others have said, is the worst one.
But also, each time I "fall down" in dealing with my disorder, people always assume I'll never be able to get back up, dust myself off, and keep going. And even though I do it every time, the assumption is that I've failed for the final time and can't move on. That stigmatization hurts really badly, since I am trying so hard and doing all the "right" things.
@ladylazarus1971
Your amazing....... people who dont suffer the lable suffer the breaking points but usually attribute it to......oh I was drunk and so its excuseable socially acceptable......embrace the feelings full on and let yourself feel weak and cry to a trusted friend or counsellor......its so hard being sectioned off as not being allowed to show emotion cause oh oh are they going over the edge?
What ticks me off is when they say its all in my head and there is nothing wrong with me.. Hello! Yes it is in my head, my brain to be exact and it is real and it aint going anywhere...
@ChronicMonkey
@ladylazarus1971b well played
