[cnlj123]

Been diagnosed with BP2 for just over a year now & with medication & counseling, life circumstances are night & day but I'm still struggling with self imposed messages of "flawed", "handicapped", "needy", & less than normal. I pray alot about it. Anyone else out there feel that way? THANKS!!!

[usbusi]

I have BP I, and although I do have some brain fog / probably worsened cognition, and worsened memory, I don't consider myself disabled, as I work 1 and 1/2 jobs, plus I have a part time business. The jobs are not what I would like them to be, but part of that is having a messed up resume so it isn't all bipolar's fault I don't think.

[Cocosurviving]

Hi,
I think it's great that u pray a lot...it has really helped me. I noticed u stated ur messages are self imposed. U may want to consider finding/joining a support group and therapy too. Bipolar is hard and I would encourage anyone to get any needed help that can make things better. I've struggled a lot and have put things in place that have made things better for me. Best wishes

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by cnlj123

Been diagnosed with BP2 for just over a year now & with medication & counseling, life circumstances are night & day but I'm still struggling with self imposed messages of "flawed", "handicapped", "needy", & less than normal. I pray alot about it. Anyone else out there feel that way? THANKS!!!

Ohhhhh, yeah. I know all too well what you're feeling and am still struggling with it as well. It's been a little less than a year since I received my diagnosis and I continue to try to reconcile my own expectations for myself, as well as "society's" expectations of me as a professional person, with what is realistic.

I've always hated the idea of limitations and never acknowledged that I had any, and frankly I resent the hell out of bipolar for imposing them on me in a way that I can no longer ignore. Now you'd think I'd know there are limits to what I can do---I'm 54 years old, diabetic, and not in the best physical shape---but until I was given the BP 'label' I was able to deny that anything was truly wrong with me. I don't get to do that anymore.

Still, as much as I hate this, I also know I'm far better off in many ways than I was a year ago. I wasn't imagining that there was a shadow dogging my heels all my life---there is an actual enemy, and now I know the bastard's name. And when you know your enemy and know yourself, you can fight just about anything.

[Phoenix217]

I think we all do. There's a stigma with mental illness on top of the anxiety that comes with the disease that really feeds into those feelings, but for me, it's gotten better with time. I definitely feel that way when my symptoms are out of control. I even get paranoid that the people I care about perceive me that way, but you have to remind yourself that it's not true. You wouldn't call a diabetic any of those things. It's hard to keep that in mind though because of BP's social aspect. Just remember, everyone's screwed up in their own way. At least we have a medical reason! Jk. In all seriousness, as long as you're doing your part to try to manage your illness, you have nothing to feel guilty about.

I would suggest setting up a good support system. That has been so helpful to me. They're supportive, but they also keep me accountable by letting me know when I'm not really being myself and when I'm getting to be too much. It's great when you're starting to get sick because a good support system can save you from yourself and warn you before you really become a burden to others. It sounds weird, but a good support system can keep you from becoming needy.

[BlackPup]

It takes a while to get over the trauma of being diagnosed but it does get better. We have some limitations but we are not less than normal. Good luck with your BP journey.