[mzunderstood79]

So I had an appointment today and they are treating me for Bipolar symptoms. The pharmacy I use in my small town had to order the medicine because no one else is on it?? That makes me feel odd. Not sure how prepared I am because I can't remember the name of the drug. It starts with a D though.... And any advice on how to tell my family will be greatly appreciated......

[intergalactictraveler]

First, I have severe, untreatable bipolar, so I'm not just writing platitudes. That said, is there a reason you can't share your diagnosis with your family? Saying that, I understand that not all parents or spouses are empathetic or supportive. Some people just don't get it, no matter how clearly and simply you explain it to them. Whether their lack of empathy is driven by fear, ignorance, religious views or other factors, it only adds to the uncertainty and anxiety you're experiencing. All you can do is tell them. How they respond isn't something you should internalize. Maybe easier said than done but you are only responsible for you. IM me if you need a veteran of the bipolar war to chat with. Yes, it's a difficult time but I bet you're stronger than you realize.

[intergalactictraveler]

"Paint It Black" is a fave and do enjoy Pink Floyd, especially, "Brain Damage/Eclipse" The lunatics are in my hall/The paper holds their folded faces to the floor/And everyday the paperboy brings more."

[gayleggg]

Hi, Mzunderstood79. I wouldnt feel strange about your medication, since in small pharmacies they don't always carry the newest meds until someone needs them. They do it all the time. I had been given a prescription for a new blood thinner and my pharmacy didn't have it, so they called around until the found one that had it. Now my pharmacy carries it.

On telling your family, I would choose carefully which members I told. I would only tell the ones that are closest to me that I trusted. The media has given bipolar a bad name and some people are judgemental about a psych diagnosis.

And remember that Bipolar is just a label. Don't let it define who you are.

[ultramar]

Are you still being treated by your GP? Have you been able to get a referral to a pdoc? If you haven't been officially diagnosed yet, I wouldn't jump the gun and share it with family/friends. If you end up being diagnosed with something different (or with what you've already been diagnosed with) it could end up backfiring on you.

I've been to walmart and they've had to order three of my meds each time, its just a matter of what they stock. In my case there was no hiding my diagnosis, my husband freaked at my breakdown and called everybody for help, dr, ther, my parents and 911 and my kids were home. Quite a spectacle.

[bumble2u]

I kind of understand your anxiety I live in a small town too. They often have to order my meds especially when I had injections. They are super nice though but I still get the feeling I'm walking up the corridor and they are thinking "here comes the crazy woman" I'm always worried that I'll bump into someone I know. Telling people is difficult, I work in a kind of artsy environment where people seem to be fairly accepting of all kinds of things. Though my parents and other relatives still know very little about my mental health issues. I think it depends how close you are with your relatives. Thankfully mine are in a different country and i don't have to deal with it.

[mzunderstood79]

Originally Posted by bumble2u

I kind of understand your anxiety I live in a small town too. They often have to order my meds especially when I had injections. They are super nice though but I still get the feeling I'm walking up the corridor and they are thinking "here comes the crazy woman" I'm always worried that I'll bump into someone I know. Telling people is difficult, I work in a kind of artsy environment where people seem to be fairly accepting of all kinds of things. Though my parents and other relatives still know very little about my mental health issues. I think it depends how close you are with your relatives. Thankfully mine are in a different country and i don't have to deal with it.

I haven't really told my family and I only told my children that my meds were changed. I don't feel it necessary to offer unless it is asked. I will tell who I want.....and I know everyone at my local pharmacy in some kind of way. When I say a small town, I mean everybody knows or has heard of EVERYBODY!!!!

[unlockingsanity]

Originally Posted by mzunderstood79

I haven't really told my family and I only told my children that my meds were changed. I don't feel it necessary to offer unless it is asked. I will tell who I want.....and I know everyone at my local pharmacy in some kind of way. When I say a small town, I mean everybody knows or has heard of EVERYBODY!!!!

Oh goodness, I know that small town issue with privacy! I eventually went out of town, and then came back when they opened a pharmacy in one of the grocery stores where I knew NONE of the staff.