I'm not of a traditional religion and my entire family has shunned me for it. I have, in turn, and for different reasons, cut off the toxic relationships with my family and done the whole Kubler-Ross grieving process (because I had to truly let them go, let them die to me--it could not be fixed and was too dysfunctional, especially with all the mental illness in my family), but for them, it was their religious zealotry and inability to accept me as a non-Christian (I'm very spiritual, but not Christian) that ended the relationships. I can relate.

I can also relate on just a few little words hurting my feelings and triggering me big time. It's been (and still is) a process learning to try to let them wash over and through me and them let them go. And also learning to address them rationally when they should be addressed and not to when they are not worth it (and to know when they are not worth it). And trying to see when it is my bipolar causing the problem or if it is actually the words of others.

As is often said, we can react or we can take a moment and choose to respond. It's easier said than done, especially for us bipolar folks, but it's an option and still a tool. Words still hurt and triggers are still triggers, though. I'm very sorry your feeling were hurt. I think truly that bipolar people (and possibly mentally ill people, in general) are so much more sensitive emotionally and feel things more deeply and immediately. It makes it difficult to process things rationally sometimes.

I personally do not see a therapist. I did not and do not find it helpful. Bipolar, if that is all you have, is seen by many psychiatrists as a medical condition only. Of course some feel otherwise--especially if there are other conditions to contend with. Going to a therapist for bipolar alone can be like going to a therapist for a broken leg. I cannot talk out the chemicals in my brain that have gone wonky, just like I can't fix a broken leg by talking about it. Sure, I can learn coping skills from a therapist, and for some people therapy does help for that. It's a personal choice. But for me, it was just kind of useless. I handled my own coping skills on my own and have a hefty toolbox full of them and am happy and confident with what I have. I'm forced to see a social worker now to stay on a wait list for a psychiatrist through my insurance, but we don't do therapy. We touch base and chat and he is also happy and confident with my hefty little toolbox of coping skills. Like I said, it's a personal choice. I'm NOT advocating against it--it helps many people! I'm just being a voice for the other side.

Although, in some ways, coming here and just having others to talk to and relate is a kind of therapy too...and this does help.