[isabella1]

I have been Bipolar for about 6 years. Luckily, I am on the right medications for about 2+ years now- effexor and topomax. Somedays, just like anyone else, I have opinions about things, or moods. However, my friends seem to throw my past up in my face.

I can't seem to have a off day or do anything right without them thinking I need my medication adjusted or the past thrown up in my face.

Does anyone have difficulty with this? I constantly feel under the microscope by others. The past is the past and that is where I would like it to be...some, however, love to just keep on analyzing my every move.

Not so much on the "regular" way, as many people who know me don't know I've been dx'd, including all relatives except my sister. They all live far away and I've had VERY little contact over many many years. So no problem there. Plus, I've always kept people at arms' length. They'll get glimpses, but not the larger picture (not saying that's good, just that your question got me thinking about it). In kind of an oblique way, I've had it happen where a friend will tease me about some phase, not realizing how it mortifies me and how much to took to get over. (Let's keep the past in the past, hear ya!) The worst by far was my ex, who 4 DAYS after dx, picked a fight throwing 25 years worth in my face. Just coming to terms with being "official" and WHAM. Holy cow was I a sobbing mess... "I wasn't doing it on PURPOSE, don't you get that???!!!" Finally couldn't take it anymore and lunged at him (yeah, way to help my case )
Day to day (luckily, because it's not at all uncommon) this isn't a problem for me, as the only person who has enough contact is my BF, and while he takes the care to notice when I'm off, doesn't go overboard (of course, to be fair, neither do we have enough history for him to have seen much).
But we totally have the right to have off days as much as anyone else. Hear hear! Hugs to you, that's a nuisance...

[sugahorse1]

I think we just need to wear broad shoulders and assume they are literally making these comments to help us.

[musikcrazy]

I have dealt with this and it is very frustrating. Only my closest friends know and when they ask me if I have had my meds (which really annoys me), I just say yes and that I am having a rough day. You could try talking to your friends and letting them know how their bringing up your past hurts you.

[sugahorse1]

I confided in one friend at work. I sent her a lot of literature on what is the norm, and when to intervene as a friend. I've asked her to just be my unbiased eyes and to help me when I totally lose it. As she didn't know much about BP, butis an understanding person, the literature available on the net has really helped her. She also still treats me as a normal human being - we all have our ups and downs at times. It's just when it goes over the top, that a friend should intervene

[Fresia]

BP or not, your are allowed to have opinions and moods. BP gets used as an excuse sometimes when they don't like what they're hearing. I too had some friends who used to do this and some did it in a way b/c they cared and others did it to be hurtful; those weren't my friends. It's natural for everyone to have changes in their mood; it's just to what degree and the fact we take medicine for it is of no consequence to them, is only beneficial hopefully.

Talking to true friends about it can be helpful and letting them know it bothers you when they bring it up but let them know what are truly signs to look for that might indicate you might be in trouble; the others, I try to ignore and keep my distance. I have learned to keep this information more to myself now because of it though and to only share it with those I am really close to.

[onomonapetia]

Not really my friends so much. I have one that always tells me she is worried about me. Drives me nuts because I can't so much as have a bad day without hearing it.
My family is worse. Anytime I am (justifiably) angry or annoyed at something, it must be my bipolar talking and not me. uggghhh

[sugahorse1]

my bf also likes to use BP as an excuse and not take me serious when I voice my opinion a bit stronger

[owllover99]

I'm older (56) so things are a little different for me. My best girlfriend thinks I'm demon possessed, my other 2 I don't think they really understand and they have so many health issues of their own mine pales in comparison. My friend at work who works with me well I don't think she understands but she knows I love her so she sees past my bp (I guess). With my 40 something girlfriend she couldn't care less that I'm bp. And then I have a friend I used to ride the bus with before I got married again so all we do is IM every morning. She's legally blind. She's been a shoulder to cry on when I needed one after I posted here and still needed an outlet. She understands. I have found that someone with a disability is more able and open minded about BP. Or other disabilities. Now I'm not like Carrie Fisher and constantly telling everybody I'm BP but I'm not ashamed of it either. Neither am I afraid to tell anyone. It is 2010. But there are still people who don't understand. I guess you have to be careful.

[bmx35]

My crowd are psych people, so mostly they understand.:-) My family too understands since several relatives had some mental illness issues. Awareness and empathy seem to be the really key here. When my feelings are valid, I seem to know it as opposed to when my feelings are due to me being bipolar. Like owllover99, I am not anymore ashamed of my illness and past. Probably, when total acceptance sets in, the past will not matter anymore even when it is thrown in one's face...hugs all

[Skully]

If I had "friends" that kept throwing up my past in my face they would no longer be my "friend". That isn't right and it is very immature. I would distance myself from the friends that do that to me.