[teenytiny]

Do you ever find that people think your crazy? Do you feel left out? Do you feel judged???

[Confusedinomicon]

Nope. I have a huge ego and am aware I have weird tendencies. I used to feel that way though.

I have problems reading b language in groups, hold my hands weird, slur and slow speech and issues aticulating myself. I also slouch and look confused all the time. Plus I have slight hearing loss because I was a dumb teen and blasted music really loud all the time. Do I feel judged? Sure, but everyone is to a degree.

I do feel left out sometimes, but it usually deals with some misconception. I try to be more upfront about my feelings to avoid this from happening though sometimes it doesn't matter. I cant say I dont judge others. I do because Im human and I rely on my heuristics to decipher the world.

[RobertDark]

People tend to not think I am crazy because... well, I don't let the "real me" out, ever. Very few people know who I really am, I am great at acting like life is fine. I think I act to avoid having people think I am crazy as well as the fact that telling others you are bipolar is typically not met with a ton of understanding.

Somehow I am able to tow the social acceptable line and if worst comes to worst, I call in if I think I can't make it through a day.

[cocoabeans]

Do people ever think I'm weird or crazy? Yes! Are they shocked when they find out I actually have a mood disorder? I'd say 9 times out of 10.

My personality is quirky so, people generally think I'm eccentric, not really crazy. I'm sure when it comes to those superficial impressions people make upon others that it helps that I'm somewhat good looking, always laughing at my own awkwardness to the point where my awkward might seem like a gimmick and I tend to give people the impression of being at least somewhat more intelligent than your average weirdo!

Do I feel all those things you talked about? Yes but, on some level that's normal. One cannot fit every where.

[faerie_moon_x]

Yes. But not as much as when I was an adolescent.

[Victoria'smom]

Anything I do or say is slid of by the thought "We'll that's Lisa." in an excepting way.

[ickle.Arnav]

My family shields me from things they don't think I can handle so I miss out. They don't ask me to do things anymore. They avoid touchy subjects because once upon a time I was unpredictable. Now I'm just sad.

People take a step back and look at me under a microscope if I tell them right away.

Most times if I wait until they know me and know more about mental illness then they treat me like I'm human/not an experiment.

[Red_Cyclops]

I too somehow seem to be able to toe the line socially. Most people who learn that I'm bipolar are completely shocked, because I am pretty mellow and for the most part a positive person in public. However, my wife knows me better than anyone else, and absolutely knows that I'm crazy - I know I'm a little crazy myself, and I accept it. I realize I am very different from most people. However, I find that the people with whom I don't fit in are generally people I'm not interested in anyway. I know who my real friends are, and they know my issues. Maybe all of the people who truly know me secretly think I'm crazy, but they care about me nonetheless and are there for me. That's all I can ask for. I think family members are the same way - they think I'm crazy but the love me anyway. I am thankful for being fortunate in that way.

[teenytiny]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Anything I do or say is slid of by the thought "We'll that's Lisa." in an excepting way.

Omg me too!!!!!!

[teenytiny]

Originally Posted by ickle.Arnav

My family shields me from things they don't think I can handle so I miss out. They don't ask me to do things anymore. They avoid touchy subjects because once upon a time I was unpredictable. Now I'm just sad.

People take a step back and look at me under a microscope if I tell them right away.

Most times if I wait until they know me and know more about mental illness then they treat me like I'm human/not an experiment.

I also have the same problems with family. And i try to tell people right away so they know what to expect. Am i crazy??

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Red_Cyclops

I too somehow seem to be able to toe the line socially. Most people who learn that I'm bipolar are completely shocked, because I am pretty mellow and for the most part a positive person in public. However, my wife knows me better than anyone else, and absolutely knows that I'm crazy - I know I'm a little crazy myself, and I accept it. I realize I am very different from most people. However, I find that the people with whom I don't fit in are generally people I'm not interested in anyway. I know who my real friends are, and they know my issues. Maybe all of the people who truly know me secretly think I'm crazy, but they care about me nonetheless and are there for me. That's all I can ask for. I think family members are the same way - they think I'm crazy but the love me anyway. I am thankful for being fortunate in that way.

You just described me to a "T". Even on my worst BP days, I can at least fake being a decent person and employee, no matter how crazy I feel on the inside. Most people who don't know me well are surprised when they learn that I'm bipolar; others who know me better have said "I wondered when you were going to figure that out" and "Well, that explains THAT (such-and-such behavior)."

[ickle.Arnav]

Originally Posted by teenytiny

I also have the same problems with family. And i try to tell people right away so they know what to expect. Am i crazy??

No, of course not. Crazy is subjective.

[teenytiny]

when I don't warn people and then they find out they are like ohhhhh well that explains a few things... How do i not respond negative to that?? Sometimes it offends me and other times i just laugh... hmmmmmm

Avoid the "microscopic view"; it tends to originate with people who are alcoholic, because alcoholics cannot integrate information.

I'm a little wary of judging because of the theory that "you're going to be judged as you judge."

It's Like Gandhi said, "I'm wary of the theory of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, lest we all wind up blind and toothless."

The so-called "stigma" surrounding bipolar illness doesn't really exist among well-educated people. It's usually the least educated who perpetuate that phenomena.

Try simply to stay away from those who have little or no knowledge about people with a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can be managed by proper medication. They must have blocks that fail to permit them to be open-minded.
I've seen it, too, usually in alcoholics or the ignorant, or the socialite pretender--and I mean big time pretender. The real socialite is far above that kind of behavior.

Some individuals even go into remission with low levels of medication, changes in their diet to reduce acidity, and working on exercise and keeping a steady sleep schedule.

If you are seeing a psychiatrist, being medicated and understand your moods, you are way out ahead of many. Did you know that only a small percentage of bipolar people in the world ever see a psychiatrist or take medications for an illness that is
manageable? Give yourself a pat on the back for being smart and alert.

Genetic

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

Do people ever think I'm weird or crazy? Yes! Are they shocked when they find out I actually have a mood disorder? I'd say 9 times out of 10.

My personality is quirky so, people generally think I'm eccentric, not really crazy. I'm sure when it comes to those superficial impressions people make upon others that it helps that I'm somewhat good looking, always laughing at my own awkwardness to the point where my awkward might seem like a gimmick and I tend to give people the impression of being at least somewhat more intelligent than your average weirdo!

Do I feel all those things you talked about? Yes but, on some level that's normal. One cannot fit every where.

Good looks and self-deprecation rule!

[Victoria'smom]

I get... Well that's why your interesting. I think crazy flocks to crazy.

[fletch33]

I feel like everyone judges those with mental illness because they do not try to understand what we go through.

[teenytiny]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I get... Well that's why your interesting. I think crazy flocks to crazy.

Hmmm I definitly am interesting lol!!!!!!!

[BlackPup]

I am a little crazy, so I guess it doesn't bother me if people think I'm weird

[No Fuse No Flame]

I have always been judged never fit in. I have heard that phrase oh that's just so and so overeacting. Because some things have meaning to me and me alone it's blown off as un important. I have family members that say things because they know it's a sensitive subject to me and I react. But they feel they have the right just to teach me a lesson. If they place no value on what I like or enjoy then it is deemed a waste of time and money. Of course if I try to defend my emotions or beliefs I'm wrong for doing so. But then I have always been told we know what your thinking and your wrong so don't even bother saying anything. The fact is they had no way of knowing what I was thinking. But they always assume I am thinking the wrong way no matter what I say.