[SunAngel]

people don't see besides having BP Disorder?

One of my biggest is that I get stressed out really, really easily. I don't show this side of myself to the outside world too much. I always want to look like I have it all together, which in fact, I don't.

Also, that I HATE talking on the phone and when my sister calls or one of my friends call, I really am not concentrating on what they are saying.

Especially this one friend who used to call me about 3 times a day and I had to say something to her and I know I hurt her, but she was driving me nuts. All she talked about was about her life and I couldn't get in a word edgewise. Totally one-sided friendship. I feel like such a B!tch!

[widgets]

People dont see the calm side of me, like the fact i enjoy reading, and they dont see the side of me that just likes to watch some tele or have a cuppa tea.

[espritlibre]

Plenty of people probably think I seem to get emotional too easily, or switch moods very easily. The things they don't get shown:

- the self-harm
- the anxiety attacks
- the fixations

People at work generally see me as efficient, organised and professional. They have no idea that underneath it all I'm massively unstable...

[Warrioress]

You are not a b!tch SunAngel; this friend of yours sounds really inconsiderate.

I think everyone has a side unseen to most people. Most of my friends and family tell me that I'm a strange person and that it takes a long time to understand me. And they are right. I really am quite weird and noone can understand me unless I want them to.

[BNLsMOM]

Unless I tell them, most people wouldn't know how anxious I can get. When I was in the hospital I was in a perpetual state of anxiety and staff were commenting on how calm and collected I seemed. I wish I could let out what I was feeling, but the smile went on my face, and there were no hints of anxiety like foot shaking or things like that. I am working on that with my T. I want to be able to show the hidden parts of me without feeling threatened or appearing that I am less than perfect. (No one is perfect and it is silly to put that expectation on myself.)

Wait, what was the question?

[popeye]

Most people have not seen my violent side...and they don't want to...its not pretty and usually someone gets hurt or something gets broke.

[lostbythesea]

people dont see me. just the bipolar. this is what is really hard. i really do have a great personality if people would only give me a chance. does that make sense?

[GreenIvy]

Most people see the quiet, reserved, and in control side of me. I don't show off the side that likes to laugh, do goofy things, and have fun. That side is to personal and I feel to vulnerable sharing it.

[manicminer]

Most people wouldn't see my loving, caring, easy going, be kind to everyone side. I'm 5'9" 200lbs with wide shoulders, thick chest, and big arms with large tattoos on both of them. I like to dress in farm clothes in public ie. jeans/army fatigue pants, work shirt or cut off t-shirts and people look at me like i'm some hoodlum out to cause trouble. I don't mind it though. I'll let em think that so no one bothers me.

[popeye]

Most people think I am very relaxed and laid back when I actually feel the agitated or wound up. I have learned to hide my feelings when around people but on the internet. I can let it all out.

Yes... But if I told anyone, they wouldn't be the parts of me no one sees.

[Confusedinomicon]

I don't care if people know I have bipolar or not. I do care if they make a statement that my mood is based on the 'bipolar'. I have no qualms with telling people that MY actions are not based on THE disorder. I believe I have the same rights as anyone else to express emotions, along with the anxiety that comes with it on occasion.

Almost every single one of my friends, acquaintances and whomever know I have bipolar disorder. If they find out and want to leave me, so be it. It's their loss, not mine.

So essentially, I act how I feel, though I don't disclose everyone of all my hobbies. I am practicing filtering my thoughts though. So I guess some people don't see how pessimistic or blunt I can be.

[Martek]

I tend to hide all my emotions when I'm around people, just put on my happy face and go about the day. So I guess the side I really hide is the true me.

[popeye]

Originally Posted by Martek

I tend to hide all my emotions when I'm around people, just put on my happy face and go about the day. So I guess the side I really hide is the true me.

I do the same thing.

[SunAngel]

Same here guys.

This is kind of a hard question. Almost no one IRL officially "knows" about the BP (I can hardly imagine what they attribute my stuff to!...), so technically they don't see the BP. Just parts of it that they don't know what they are. And I say "parts of it", because there is sooooo much they don't see. So the first and most obvious answer was "just how very much not together and drowning I am". Then popeye said...

Originally Posted by popeye

Most people have not seen my violent side...and they don't want to...its not pretty ...

This. The thing that those who have not witnessed it would not believe to look at me. Fortunately, not many have. It is so very intense, I've named it. While I like to think it might come in handy if needed for self-defense, truth is, looking back on the mortifications of my life, it has a starring role. (Fortunately, it is overwhelmingly wrought upon inanimate objects. And to a lesser degree, myself, as I suppose such things as throwing oneself against walls is violent...)