[tnlibrarian]

Do any of you ever feel guilty about being bipolar or what you put the people you love through as the result of being bipolar?

YES

Sometimes I think of cutting off relationships so that they don't have to suffer along with me.

*edit*
I feel like I make them suffer because they have to see me go through these things and I take out my mood swings on those I'm closest to. It doesn't seem fair that they have to deal with me being unstable.

[Miss Laura]

Oh god yes!!

But you can't take the past back so you can't stress too much about it. I feel guilty over a lot of things and I know it's not healthy and I also know it certainly is not helping me recover.

[Seaswept]

Yes everyday.
Wanting to do more (be there) with my kids, contribute financially, not sleep so much, lessen the burden on my husband....so much stuff

Yes, definitely.
Although, I have been learning that there is no reason to dwell on the past. It only makes me feel worse. Likewise with worrying about possible future "relapses". Every day I try to live in the present moment, and I'm thankful for what my experience with Bipolar has taught me.

[AniManiac]

No. I've always done the best that I could do under the circumstances. I might not be proud of everything I've done, but I wouldn't take it back - I've learned a lot from those experiences. And now that I'm thinking about the things that I've done under the influence of extreme moods, I actually feel a lot better about myself. I wasn't doing bad things because I'm a bad person, but rather because I didn't win the genetic lottery at every chromosome. There's nothing there to feel guilty about. If anything, I should feel guilty for giving myself such a hard time for such a long time without asking for help.

But I gave up on guilt ages ago; I don't have the energy for that kind of nonsense!

I do. And it's something that's very hard to work on. Not guilt of things I do when having sn episode cause really I don't do much. But I do feel guilt of being a burden on my bf. Especially if the Hospital is involved. I feel guilt of being a mother who is a bit messed up. And I feel guilty for not being able to be a working member if society.

I do know I should not feel guilty for these things. But I do.

[~Christina]

Guilt ......Hell yes !
I havent gotten to hthe place in my acceptance yet to allow myself some ggrace from all this ..Yes i didnt ask for this but its still "MY" problem and its effecting everyone around me . the guilt just keep my selfloathing in high gear altho i am woorking on it in therapy weekly

[BlueInanna]

Yes I feel guilty and it hurts. But I am not ashamed.

[roads]

Originally Posted by tnlibrarian

Do any of you ever feel guilty about being bipolar or what you put the people you love through as the result of being bipolar?

People put people thru things. I feel guilty over stuff I've intentionally put people thru, when I wanted to make a (stupid) point or something, my little mean manipulative ego trips that I'm ashamed now to admit to. When I'd manage a 104-degree temp so I could stay home from school.

The bipolar things, tho--any of the things that happened before I even knew what my problem was? No, I don't feel guilty about that. The depression, asthma, temper, very low blood pressure--the things that caused continuing problems throughout my life--those things I did my best with. I did all I could to not be a problem for my mom, who already had her hands full with my dad who suffered from myasthenia Gravis. I was still a handful, but I don't feel guilt over it.

[Moose72]

Yes. Guilt fit life lost and guilt at not being able to give my kids 100%

[wing]

My biggest guilt trip is knowing I've passed this disease onto my kids. I knew I was bipolar when I had them, and hoped for the best.

Guilt over he things I've done? I have cut people off and people have cut me off so neither of us has to deal with the awkwardness and embarrassment.

[beauflow]

Ya know- yes I have felt guilty over what I have and do put my boyfriend through the most--
Ya know my mom, my dad, my siblings- all of us had our issues, I feel "bad at times" but that passes due to my family and I we are all dysfunctional in a way and have hurt each other- I guess some guilt is there.

But my Boyfriend-- He has been nothing but caring, trying to understand and sticking it out with me-- releasing me from some fights due to he is him with things and does not feed into the "stupid point outs that i must prove" at times, along he goes through other things that I at the times are not doing intentionally but they are things that stem from my issues.... His family as well as well as others- such as co-workers at times, I feel guilty at times due to I go off the handle about some things that I know are just in my traits to do and they do not- (i.e. work stuff - peddle to the metal Beauflow but not all are like that).

Yes....

I like what some say about learning from it, so why have the bad-- I tottally agree with that- Learning from it is the best thing that comes from it all... but none the less at times I do have the guilt that comes with the nature.

I wish I could be better, I feel at times that i have hurt every one around me and I am sorry for that.

[venusss]

Yeah, I noticed I often say "I am depressed" when a close friend asks me how I am, expecting honest answer... to quickly follow it with "I AM SORRY!"