[Passion222]

What do you think on this?? I have so many friends and family with many different problems in their lives. I love to lend a ear and give advice if they ask for it. Also try to cheer them on and be positive to make sure they're uplifted---well,--- I'm really not complaining. It's more of a observation--nobody ever asks me how I am. Are things going well in my life?? Cheer me on in any way?? I don't ask for it either. Don't offer much info on my life because I want to truly see my friends or family come first. Somedays I'm so sad and frustrated but I feel like maybe I'm not taken seriously because I'm BP and I'm expected to have bad days. Think maybe they think BP people are always having in a bad mood or overreacting. I can always depend on this forum with great friends to tell my stories to. Get Advice i need. Make me understand so many things. Greatly appreciate all the help you've given guys. Question---does anyone feel people chalk
You up as just BP and you're problems aren't worth discussing??

[BlueInanna]

I isolate a lot... and don't tell many people in real life about having bp. For years now, the focus has mainly been on my kids with their bp and sui attempts and hospitalizations, so usually only the pdocs ask me how am *I* doing. I want the focus to be on my kids because they come first. But yeah, I guess it would feel good if real life people asked me how I'm doing more often too. Mostly with my rl friends it seems I'm usually lending the ear rather than talking about me. Maybe it's my fault and I don't want to talk about me, but I usually feel drained after being there for these friends and my needs aren't really met. It is a blessing to have you all here to talk to.

[Anika.]

I notice this too a LOT. And I don't get it, tho I do think about it, and it's not something that makes me feel too good.

I am not sure it is because of the bipolar in my case tho, and I can only speak for me cause I don't really know about anyone else. But I am not usually outwardly in a bad mood, I am pretty clam and mild on the surface. However I only think that is why I don't assume it's the bipolar for me. I think that I am a highly sensitive person. I am highly empathetic, sympathetic, my senses seem to be a bit spidy. And then I find myself dumbfound when others do not respond in the a similar manor. So sometimes I just wonder if that is why this happens.

Either maybe they are not as empathetic, don't pick up on as much subtleties, maybe they are not as emotionally or as environmentally aware. Which is not really a bad thing, just different. Sometimes being highly sensitive isn't so great either. I will forever be mistaken for shy introvert, and feel overwhelmed by this world.

I suspect many people with bipolar also are HSP - hehe ya I am using a label, well short hand not really label, there actually is one. Bipolar and HSP do share some traits, so I can see how these traits might be part of this situation. However it does make me feel neglected.

Just my theory.

I isolate when I am not well.

[mpalamar]

I isolate as well, but then again even my so-called friends are not real friends. My family doesn't talk to me and my fiance distances himself from me.... I often feel alone and have no one to talk to. It's so depressing.

[Confusedinomicon]

I isolate when I feel worthless. I have essentially avoided my friends for 2 weeks.

I am pretty empathetic too, but normally outgoing.

[Anika.]

Thats the thing confused, I am not really an introvert, but my hsp traits make me come across as one. Which frustrates me a lot. I'm trying to turn that around. I was reading about hsp extroverts, kind of interesting.

I don't isolate, I do the oposite. When I am depressed I reach out more, what's with that I dunno. But I think I reach out in a way that says I am ok when i'm not. Which isn't that helpful.

Hope you stop feeling worthless soon, thats totally not true about you. Btw I miss you here, you def have worth to me.

[Confusedinomicon]

Aww, thanks.

I always test as an introvert when I take the myer briggs test. I can definitely isolate for a few weeks when Im not feeling great. Less contact with people means I shield them from emotional break downs and prevents me from messing up relationships. I dont want to feel this way, but its the way my brain functions. Always on the defensive. ;(

I think bipolar fits in the 1/5th of people who are hsp. Mania and depression could be the result of being overstimulated. I feel like a lot of people on the board relate to 'feeling too much' and not being heard enough. It could also explain why there is so much helplessness in patients. Wouldnt the hsp person have a harder time exterting themselves? I like asking questions.

[~Christina]

I have one friend I use to confide in, I realized it was too much on her as she would flip in being way too worried about me. Once I realized this I stopped talking to her about my illness.

My Daughter is 21 and Bipolar I diagnosed this year, She is doing amazing! I use to talk to her about Bipolar , I will talk to her about HER Bipolar if SHE brings in up. I'm not going to bring worry into her life because I'm not doing great like her, she has enough to worry about.

My husband trys to be supportive but I have learned he can't understand what I go thru.

The only person in real life that I can be fully honest with is my Therapist!

Do I wish I more real life friends.. Of course.

But I have PC and Thank goodness for the friends I have made on here , at least here I am fully accepted and I don't have pretend I am doing fine all the time.

It's a shame people are so understanding about a cold or the flu and not bipolar .. sad indeed .