["Tilly may"]

When I am manic I go around telling everyone that Im bipolar. I try so hard not to do this but I just get crazy and cant shut up. I yearn to talk to people about it. Then after when I have crashed , i feel shame. What do those people think about me?

[A Red Panda]

Who knows what they think of you. Do they still talk to you like normal? Have they shied away from you? Or treat you like you're fragile?

Personally, I don't have any problem with having bipolar. I have identity issues sometimes and it's taken YEARS to really figure it out, because there's the depressed-me, the baseline-me, and the hypomanic-me and it took ages to figure out what was what. But other people? I've only told a few people. I told more than planned while I was hypomanic too, but even those people I was selective in sharing that information with them and I've been lucky as they've mostly all been great about it.

[Skittles56]

I don't like being bipolar any more than I would like to be an amputee or a cancer patient, but it's part of my life and it will never go away. I don't really run around advertising my bipolar, but if it comes up, I don't shy away from it. People have so many misconceptions about bipolar, but it's not my job to educate anyone. If I tell someone that I am bipolar and they start treating me as if I might become a serial killer, then that's on them. If it's a so-called friend and they act that way, then they weren't much of a friend to begin with. I might be lucky, but I have never had a negative reaction from anyone I have told. For some of them, it's taken in stride, kind of like telling them that I have green eyes or that I've decided to grow a beard. Some of them say that they are glad I'm getting help, and if there is anything they can do for me, let them know.

[LacunaCoiler]

When I was first diagnosed I was in a huge manic state (almost hospitalized for it) I went around telling all of my friends, family, and co-workers (Thank god for working in a small office). When I stabled out due to the meds I was really ashamed of telling everyone just because I couldn't really seem to shut up and keep it to myself. However, my family after excepting the new information have started looking for triggers and will call my gf to let my shrink know if they pick up on something. My friends now understand why I push them away and they're all cool and treat me no differently. The co-workers are awesome too.

It just seems like when I'm in a manic state I want to go around telling everyone! But I do regret it later. I'm still in the "accepting" the bipolar label and coming to terms with "I'm normally challenged but I'm still me".

[BipolaRNurse]

I too have a tendency to over-share when I'm hypo/manic, so when I was diagnosed I let the cat out of the bag pretty quickly. I was so happy at first---it explained most of my oddities and why I'd had so much trouble 'playing well with others'.

Once the novelty wore off, however, I had a hell of a time accepting it, especially the 'forever' part. I was used to being the kind of sick where you take meds, get better, and stop taking pills; I didn't like the idea of taking meds for life. And I HATED the idea of being bipolar for life.....until I figured out that I've probably always been!

Now I'm at peace with it, and I'm open about it. I do a lot of advocacy now for people with mental illness and even write a blog that's mostly about bipolar, although I have branched out in recent weeks. BP is part of who I am, but it's not all of who I am; it took me quite a while to learn that.

Do I wish I didn't have it? Of course---who would choose to be stigmatized and to be seen as unstable and unreliable? But it's also part of what makes me smart and funny and caring, so it's not all bad.

Because of my anxiety issues I have such a small number of people around me, that are people who I was able to trust with my information. I used to go to a support group every week so was able to talk about all this stuff on a regular basis. You guys are my support group now. Since my son is getting married the circle is about to expand and I am unsure of whether to disclose. I think the fiance knows so the other mother may already know anyway. And she's very friendly with me so its all good. Well, both the fiance and her mom.

[BlueInanna]

I think most think we're unstable and dangerous. . But there are also many kind compassionate people out there. And then some don't give a hoot cuz too absorbed with themselves. I wish for us all to encounter more of the kind compassionate ones.

[henrydavidtherobot]

I do this SAME THING all the time and get so annoyed with myself. But I want to talk about it. I don't want to hide it.

I guess that what I'm doing (I've been recently diagnosed) is trying to add a humorous touch to it so that people won't be so weird about it. I'm a female poet, so it easy for me to joke about it.

[Lillyleaf]

I go off about being bipolar all the time when I'm manic/hypo manic. It's like all the loneliness inside of me has built up and I need to share everything!

For the most part people don't judge me or treat me any different. They just act as if it never happened. But, when I do bring it up some people do say that I should go talk to someone, like a professional... I think it's awkward for most people, idk.

I just wrote a college essay about it and I'm freaking out because it is going to be peer reviewed. :P I'm going to lie a ton if people ask me if it is mine... I have a whole back story about what mine might be and so on...

<3

Best,

Lillyleaf

[TombE]

Originally Posted by Lillyleaf

I go off about being bipolar all the time when I'm manic/hypo manic. It's like all the loneliness inside of me has built up and I need to share everything!

This is exactly what happens. I completely understand. I always kick myself afterwards for sharing my life story.

[jesusplay]

people think bipolar is borderline personality disorder.

[manic_me]

Personally, I thin it's horrible. It not only affects me mentally, but also physically. Unlike most other reply's I was diagnosed in a severe depressed state. I had just cut to the point of almost needing stitches, and my stomach was so messed up I hadn't kept food down in almost 2 weeks. My mom, who was a terrible person and an abusive mother was Bipolar, and the disease killed her. Because my mom was so horrible, once I was diagnosed, my family pretty much cut off contact. The ones that did stay in touch treated me differently thinking that I would be just like her. Just as horrible and immoral of a person. I also lost a lot of friends. Basically I was left all alone to deal with the diagnosis.
Now 6 years later I still hate it. My boyfriend of 4 years still doesn't understand how someone could literally not understand why they feel the way they feel. I hate the rapid cycling, and I hate when I get stuck in an extreme. I hate all of the racing thoughts. I sometimes feel like I have several personalities in my head. There's the mad me, the "normal" me, the depressed me, the IDGAF me, the super hyper me...It's almost like picking out an outfit for the day "how and which mood will dominate your brain today?" It's just an expensive, unaffordable battle within yourself.

At least for me

MM. I presented to my dr first with my first depression and was given paxil, went into crazy mania that my dr didn't know about, he saw me when I crashed overnight straight from mania into my second depression that year and that's when I got my bp diagnosis and lamictal. I get the different personality part too, which my husband has no idea what that is...I just call it psycho***** when they show up whether down or up and tell him I'm thinking crooked thoughts.

I am so sorry you have had to go through so much in addition to the diagnosis

[TombE]

Originally Posted by manic_me

Now 6 years later I still hate it. My boyfriend of 4 years still doesn't understand how someone could literally not understand why they feel the way they feel. I hate the rapid cycling, and I hate when I get stuck in an extreme. I hate all of the racing thoughts. I sometimes feel like I have several personalities in my head. There's the mad me, the "normal" me, the depressed me, the IDGAF me, the super hyper me...It's almost like picking out an outfit for the day "how and which mood will dominate your brain today?" It's just an expensive, unaffordable battle within yourself.

At least for me

That is exactly how I feel. People would get frustrated with me because I couldn't explain why I was being a total b---- or why I was balling my eyes out. It just happens. My moods change daily as well as several times within a day. The rapid cycling is so frustrating.

[manic_me]

Originally Posted by TombE

That is exactly how I feel. People would get frustrated with me because I couldn't explain why I was being a total b---- or why I was balling my eyes out. It just happens. My moods change daily as well as several times within a day. The rapid cycling is so frustrating.

Ugh that in itself is enough to make one crazy! I don't really cry, I just seem to withdraw from everyone, and of course, cut =/ when I went into a manic down. It's just so hard to explain what is going on when you yourself can't figure it out. I actually get irritated and upset when people ask what's going on because idk. Just overall frustrating

I tend to overshare when I am hypo too. Years back when I was first diagnosed I told everyone. It felt like, wow I finally have an answer to all my crazy behaviour! I thought everyone else would be just as thrilled as me to find out there was a reason for this all and it wasnt just my personality. I never knew there was much a stigma associated with it.

I have been treated differently by people but most of the time people still treat me well. I no longer tell new people I meet, but if the anxiety gets bad and I need a moment, someone else will whisper to those wondering - "dont worry about her she has bipolar/anxiety". Im not trusted with much at work, and honestly I havent given them a reason to trust me, I forget constantly so its best if I am not given too much responsibility, and I get stressed easily so high stress jobs are no good for me either. They know and accept me.

All in all, while I regret so many people knowing about my private medical condition it has not really affected me in a negative way. Thats not to say I havent been treated badly, but the majority of the time people are accepting and kind.

[TombE]

Originally Posted by manic_me

Ugh that in itself is enough to make one crazy! I don't really cry, I just seem to withdraw from everyone, and of course, cut =/ when I went into a manic down. It's just so hard to explain what is going on when you yourself can't figure it out. I actually get irritated and upset when people ask what's going on because idk. Just overall frustrating

Oh yes. When I'm asked what's wrong I either reply with a "nothing" or "I don't know." When they keep asking then I blow up and go off on them. It's hard to explain to someone who has never experienced bipolar what's happening. My family and beset friend have learned that when I give one of these answers to just back off. The unsuspecting and persistent are the ones that end up facing my bipolar wrath. It's frustrating.

[manic_me]

Originally Posted by TombE

Oh yes. When I'm asked what's wrong I either reply with a "nothing" or "I don't know." When they keep asking then I blow up and go off on them. It's hard to explain to someone who has never experienced bipolar what's happening. The unsuspecting and persistent are the ones that end up facing my bipolar wrath. It's frustrating.

Oh my goodness, yes! I don't have anyone close to me that understands, so I wind up just looking like a monster when I finally snap, but I mean come on! I usually say I'm okay, just to be optimistic, because I want to be okay, especially when I know I am just going through a rapid cycle and whatever my brain feels like there is something wrong, and there's not and it will pass, but when people just keep pestering me or keeping on it just makes it get that much worse!
I am so glad I am not the only one that has this issue

[TombE]

Originally Posted by manic_me

Ugh that in itself is enough to make one crazy! I don't really cry, I just seem to withdraw from everyone, and of course, cut =/ when I went into a manic down. It's just so hard to explain what is going on when you yourself can't figure it out. I actually get irritated and upset when people ask what's going on because idk. Just overall frustrating

Originally Posted by Supanova

I tend to overshare when I am hypo too. Years back when I was first diagnosed I told everyone. It felt like, wow I finally have an answer to all my crazy behaviour! I thought everyone else would be just as thrilled as me to find out there was a reason for this all and it wasnt just my personality. I never knew there was much a stigma associated with it.

I have been treated differently by people but most of the time people still treat me well. I no longer tell new people I meet, but if the anxiety gets bad and I need a moment, someone else will whisper to those wondering - "dont worry about her she has bipolar/anxiety". Im not trusted with much at work, and honestly I havent given them a reason to trust me, I forget constantly so its best if I am not given too much responsibility, and I get stressed easily so high stress jobs are no good for me either. They know and accept me.

All in all, while I regret so many people knowing about my private medical condition it has not really affected me in a negative way. Thats not to say I havent been treated badly, but the majority of the time people are accepting and kind.

I don't know why we have the strong urge to overshare when manic. It really is a curious thing.

[TombE]

Originally Posted by manic_me

Oh my goodness, yes! I don't have anyone close to me that understands, so I wind up just looking like a monster when I finally snap, but I mean come on! I usually say I'm okay, just to be optimistic, because I want to be okay, especially when I know I am just going through a rapid cycle and whatever my brain feels like there is something wrong, and there's not and it will pass, but when people just keep pestering me or keeping on it just makes it get that much worse!
I am so glad I am not the only one that has this issue

You're definitely not alone. In fact, I'm sending you a friend request, lol.

Yea it's hard when so many people don't understand what's going on, especially those who aren't even aware of your condition. Then they are totally blind sided when the "Crazy" comes out.

[manic_me]

I think it's because out brains are running so fast we don't even realize that our mouths are moving. We are long past that thought, but our mouths just caught up, and our brains aren't thinking about it so out it comes lol I know for sure I am a rambler when I am manic. Not about anything in particular either, I just can't seem to shut off and a lot of the time I don't even realize I am doing it

[TombE]

Yea definitely. I just want to be in everything and know everyone and say everything. Then the depression kicks in and I push the very people I just pulled in away.

[AnxietyGirl916]

I'm not sure. I'm super creative and productive when I'm hypomanic, which I love. On the other hand, I also talk too fast (and too much), my brain doesn't shut off, and I can't sleep, which sucks.

Mixed episodes are the worst. It's hard to explain to someone that you are happy, sad, angry, agitated, all at once. Plus, its hard to explain your reasoning behind the things you say or how you act.

[TombE]

I also get extremely impulsive. I've made a lot of huge mistakes while manic. My brain is is going way to fast for me to stop and think about what I'm actually doing.

[manic_me]

Hurray! I made a friend! lol sadly, that really is the highlight of my day...no offense XD
It's especially hard when you have bipolar and anxiety/paranoia disorders. It makes meeting people and making friends difficult because when the "crazy" does happen, I usually don't even realize it's happening until a few days after to even begin to explain to people what is going on!