[NotaSuzi]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum but not to BP. I was diagnosed more than 20 years ago and after a couple of years working on finding the right cocktail I am surprised and happy to report I've lived a quiet, normal life for most of those twenty years (and counting).

What gets me is that when people find out I'm bipolar (people who haven't known me very long) they pull away and I know they're thinking "OMG, she's CRAZY!" And if I didn't take my meds then maybe I would be but I have no desire to go off the rails so I never miss a dose. What's funny is that so much of the time I look around at this world and think "And they think I'm crazy!" People are weird! I feel like the most normal person I know but I have this disease so I'm crazy.

It's so frustrating. Does anyone get this?

[Nova567]

Yes. I am selective in who I tell, a lot of people judge because they do not understand what bipolar is.

[VanGore28]

Its same for schizophrenia as people think it is a split personality (DID). It's incredibly misunderstood. And some people think you never recover.
ive done some really stupid things ill never forget and I'm ashamed to admit them. Ive been called a psycho where as I wouldn't harm anyone.
My parents don't know my true diagnosis they think I'm bipolar but I'm schizoaffective!

[Shamrockkid88]

Originally Posted by NotaSuzi

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum but not to BP. I was diagnosed more than 20 years ago and after a couple of years working on finding the right cocktail I am surprised and happy to report I've lived a quiet, normal life for most of those twenty years (and counting).

What gets me is that when people find out I'm bipolar (people who haven't known me very long) they pull away and I know they're thinking "OMG, she's CRAZY!" And if I didn't take my meds then maybe I would be but I have no desire to go off the rails so I never miss a dose. What's funny is that so much of the time I look around at this world and think "And they think I'm crazy!" People are weird! I feel like the most normal person I know but I have this disease so I'm crazy.

It's so frustrating. Does anyone get this?

I've only told a handful of close friends and my immediate family. I too have been struck by the stigma and how many people don't educate themselves on mental illness particularly in regards to bipolar. I was just diagnosed about 2 weeks ago and I was relieved that now after years of misdiagnosis I finally had a answer. But after I was told I was bp 2 I thought back to when I was in highschool and people would be like oh he or she must be bp they just flip out like that or he or she's bp they must be crazy! Not bothering to do the research to see that most people with the correct medication and regularly therap and healthy life choices and changes live perfectly normal lives! Maybe someday we can break the stigma!

[piano97]

I totally understand what you are saying.

[Amazonmom]

I completely understand your point here. I have told my hubby and a handful of friends but not my family. They have said enough horrible things that I can never tell them.

[Merlin]

Most of the time when I disclose, I say that I have depression rather than bipolar, since I don't experience euphoric manias. My friends and family do know that I have bipolar. I don't think I would tell new friends right away though.

[MJLouise]

been there- when my kids were little I was completely stable, on meds in therapy doing great. I had a 1 and 2 year old and was certified for daycare. I've never harmed a sole in my life- im not a rager even when depressed im more of a cryer. I've always watched and been great with kids. It was on a military base i worked in daycare and a friend of my husband had a party we went to. My husband accidentally said "oh I forgot you can't drink it will mess with your lithium right?" and I got looks from everyone. We ended up leaving the party. The next day two people from the party who had preschoolers at our daycare pulled their kids out. They said it wasn't me that they were putting them in the public school pre-school that's free but i knew. the timing told it all. They never called us again to hang out. Even though not drinking youd think would be a good thing and for our daycare it was supervised and I was working with others. I dont tell anyone anymore no one not even my friend who is open about her bipolar knows ive been diagnosed too. I just dont want it out there. I worked the last 5 years part time teaching art class at my kids private school their friends parents are like family too me. they know i have anxiety because not only i s that a bit harder to hide its a good cover for when im not acting right or cant go out or need to bow out of things. I think anxiety is way more accepted. It doesnt help when the news blasts stories of moms drowning their kids and mentally ill people being the cause of mass shootings. 99.9 percent of us are not like that. Long story to say I empathize- totally know the stigma.

I don't think I will ever understand why mental illness have such a stigma.
what annoys me the most is when people take it one step further and start talking to you like you're 4

" come on, be a good girl and say hello to the nice doggy. woof woof woof. can you say that?."

um...... yes?. I can?

I can still act my age, you know. it's my moods that are affected, nothing else

oh yeah

I remember someone used to be totally convinced I was controled by demons/ the devil

I was pissed off to say the least

people who don't come near you because they think they will catch it.

that's annoying too

I'm not contagious... promise. you can touch me, you know

[Fuzzybear]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr