[venusss]

Interesting article by Tom Wootton.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...-or-causing-it

[Alokin]

This is an interesting article. I have never thought of myself being bipolar as a disorder. The label has helped me understand what is going on and to be more aware of some of the things I am doing. I also have been able to help myself and find people who struggle with the same things I do. We learn from each other.

I have had dark days I did not know were depression, I actually think I spend much more time mixed than being depressed. I go back and forth with whether or not to tell people I am bipolar because I do not want to be judged because of it, but it usually comes out (when I am manic usually).

I have worked really hard in my life and I am proud of what I have done. I did what I do since before I knew I was bp (only have known for 3 years). I am very successful in my profession and am well respected. I believe that I have been able to leverage a lot of my symptoms and how to cope with them on my own. I am also lucky that my job is known to have many "characters," it is also male dominated. I suppose it is almost expected for me to be quirky (that is how I characterize it at least).

Point is that although I do struggle I have been able to overcome. Sometimes when I get to know someone better I will mention that I had been having issues. Usually they say that they could not see it. I hope they aren't just being nice. It makes me realize that maybe I am not acting as crazy as I feel. I hope people have positive experiences with me in turn reducing the stigma. I hope.

[Victoria'smom]

I have never notice outside stigma of bipolar really. I do not advertize my illness but I also have cerebral palsy so I most likely don't recognize stigma. There's a lot of time that my in-laws got mad that someone talked to me “slow” because physical disability automatically have intellectual disabilities to the public. My response usually is to laugh because I thought they were “slow”.

My husband does get dirty looks because him loving me is automatically because he's taking advantage of me. This was the concern of everyone on both sides of the family. My family still says he can't love me and he's just taking advantage of me. This was especially true when I was pregnant. I had to change my ob/gyn because of this. It's automatically assumed that we only have one child because of my disability. I've seen several people “play up” their disability or have a defeatist attitude.

Unfortunately I was able to hid my mental illnesses behind this. I couldn't possibly be failing because I was doing to many drug and drinking. It was because I just couldn't do the work, even though my IQ is high. I wasn't anorexic my lack of appetite and under weight was because of CP. There was no way I could possibly be violent, doing drugs and sleeping around, even after pulling a knife on my parents because of CP. Even my accidental overdose was just me not understanding, to be fair I wasn't because of mania but I certainly didn't need a psych eval. I couldn't have PPP I was just overwhelmed by caring for my son because it was more difficult for me. Even after telling the Dr. that I lock myself in the bathroom when I'm alone because I have constant visions of killing my son. No one sat down ever got to know me and asked what was going on. The people that got to know have saved my life several times. It took several dr to look past my disability and see (hypo) mania even get Dx'd and I needed to force my therapist to realize my issues were less to do with CP and more to do BP.

I cried and cried and cried when I got my dx. Why? Because it meant entering the mental health system, meds, therapy and facing the increased possibility of hospitalization, something I have a complete fear of. I do not feel streamlining, and simplifying my life or editing my goals and time line as having made me “live up” to the stigma. As much as learning how to place your own accommodations into your life. Do I feel I will ever be able to work, not really but it's the same as knowing I can't learn ride a two wheeled bike. Both of those things I have bashed my head against for years attempting to figure out how to accommodate for myself and accomplish them. Both activities have almost landed me in the hospital several times. I have choose to put that stuff aside and focus on my family because I'm not useful if I'm in the hospital. I advocate anyone BP or not to simplify and streamline their life

Do I ever feel I'll be stable? Nope, just as much as I believe they'll cure CP. I can and do accommodate for both, I have to, no one else knows how to. I feel the BP is me amped up, so I'm never scared of 'another episode'. Am I ever scared of my husband 'episodes'? Hell no, he may be 1'2” taller and 3x my size but when 'manic' he's treated like a 5 year old throwing a tantrum. A five year old, can't ever intimidate me and I can out think a 5 yr old any day. You just isolate them and keep them safe until it passes. I'm told to leave things up to the professionals. Meaning stop messing with your meds, be completely honest during the problem, and call when you need to. Problem is my tolerance for issues are much higher than others and my confidence for others to come up with real solutions are quite low. What I am scared of is not teaching my son how to accommodate life for himself no matter his issues. But this comes from a person that “doesn't recognize episodes, stress or psychosis even after episode”

I don't feel knowing your limits and slowly kicking them further and further back is self deprecating or stigmatizing yourself as long as your still trying. Yes there are going to be times that you want to give up and be self defeating but if you always just surviving then why?

I really don't run into stigma from my personal experience with bipolar disorder. I work full-time in a profession I've been in for 28 years. I have a good family life for the most part. While I have had quite a few hospitalizations, no one has treated me differently for having to do so. After my last hospitalization, my supervisor sat with me and really asked me to educate her about bipolar disorder. It was an intelligent and supportive discussion.

As bad as things have been for me at times, and right now I'm in the middle of one of those bad times, I know I always come out on the other side and move on.

I take care of myself. I have a good therapist and a good psychiatrist. When I do need meds, like now, I am willing to take them so that I can continue to keep on with my life.

Are there ignorant people out there? Sure. I just choose not to make them part of my life. They aren't really that hard to avoid from my experience.

[unlockingsanity]

Honestly? I'm too scared to fight the stigma. My career is too important to put on the line.

I wish I was a bigger person, but I'm not. I do what I can to simply survive.

[Alokin]

I am bumping this one. I am a bit disappointed it went to page 2 so fast. I am interested in other's perspectives…..

[~Christina]

I think everyone has to pick and choose what they are comfortable with in regards to any illness that will cause you to distress . For me that isn't Bipolar ... Its Fibromyalgia . It's just a personal decision.

I would gladly keep Bipolar ! having to continue life with Fibromyalgia I feel for myself is much worst.

Just my opinion ~

[Confusedinomicon]

I think there is something wrong with everyone.

I don't tell people at work that Im diagnosed because I don't identify myself as ill. I tell friends and my family knows. I am a functioning individual and I rather people know me first before they make conclusions about my mental welfare based on a diagnosis. I will tell people if it comes up, though. I can't let myself live as a sick person anymore.

[Jcon614]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I have never notice outside stigma of bipolar really. I do not advertize my illness but I also have cerebral palsy so I most likely don't recognize stigma. There's a lot of time that my in-laws got mad that someone talked to me “slow” because physical disability automatically have intellectual disabilities to the public. My response usually is to laugh because I thought they were “slow”.

My husband does get dirty looks because him loving me is automatically because he's taking advantage of me. This was the concern of everyone on both sides of the family. My family still says he can't love me and he's just taking advantage of me. This was especially true when I was pregnant. I had to change my ob/gyn because of this. It's automatically assumed that we only have one child because of my disability. I've seen several people “play up” their disability or have a defeatist attitude.

Unfortunately I was able to hid my mental illnesses behind this. I couldn't possibly be failing because I was doing to many drug and drinking. It was because I just couldn't do the work, even though my IQ is high. I wasn't anorexic my lack of appetite and under weight was because of CP. There was no way I could possibly be violent, doing drugs and sleeping around, even after pulling a knife on my parents because of CP. Even my accidental overdose was just me not understanding, to be fair I wasn't because of mania but I certainly didn't need a psych eval. I couldn't have PPP I was just overwhelmed by caring for my son because it was more difficult for me. Even after telling the Dr. that I lock myself in the bathroom when I'm alone because I have constant visions of killing my son. No one sat down ever got to know me and asked what was going on. The people that got to know have saved my life several times. It took several dr to look past my disability and see (hypo) mania even get Dx'd and I needed to force my therapist to realize my issues were less to do with CP and more to do BP.

I cried and cried and cried when I got my dx. Why? Because it meant entering the mental health system, meds, therapy and facing the increased possibility of hospitalization, something I have a complete fear of. I do not feel streamlining, and simplifying my life or editing my goals and time line as having made me “live up” to the stigma. As much as learning how to place your own accommodations into your life. Do I feel I will ever be able to work, not really but it's the same as knowing I can't learn ride a two wheeled bike. Both of those things I have bashed my head against for years attempting to figure out how to accommodate for myself and accomplish them. Both activities have almost landed me in the hospital several times. I have choose to put that stuff aside and focus on my family because I'm not useful if I'm in the hospital. I advocate anyone BP or not to simplify and streamline their life

Do I ever feel I'll be stable? Nope, just as much as I believe they'll cure CP. I can and do accommodate for both, I have to, no one else knows how to. I feel the BP is me amped up, so I'm never scared of 'another episode'. Am I ever scared of my husband 'episodes'? Hell no, he may be 1'2” taller and 3x my size but when 'manic' he's treated like a 5 year old throwing a tantrum. A five year old, can't ever intimidate me and I can out think a 5 yr old any day. You just isolate them and keep them safe until it passes. I'm told to leave things up to the professionals. Meaning stop messing with your meds, be completely honest during the problem, and call when you need to. Problem is my tolerance for issues are much higher than others and my confidence for others to come up with real solutions are quite low. What I am scared of is not teaching my son how to accommodate life for hareimself no matter his issues. But this comes from a person that “doesn't recognize episodes, stress
or psychosis even after episode”

I don't feel knowing your limits and slowly kicking them further and further back is self deprecating or stigmatizing yourself as long as your still trying. Yes there are going to be times that you want to give up and be self defeating but if you always just surviving then why?

Amazing post. Thank you so much for sharing this Miguel's Mom

[Jcon614]

Originally Posted by 1914sierra

I really don't run into stigma from my personal experience with bipolar disorder. I work full-time in a profession I've been in for 28 years. I have a good family life for the most part. While I have had quite a few hospitalizations, no one has treated me differently for having to do so. After my last hospitalization, my supervisor sat with me and really asked me to educate her about bipolar disorder. It was an intelligent and supportive discussion.

As bad as things have been for me at times, and right now I'm in the middle of one of those bad times, I know I always come out on the other side and move on.

I take care of myself. I have a good therapist and a good psychiatrist. When I do need meds, like now, I am willing to take them so that I can continue to keep on with my life.

Are there ignorant people out there? Sure. I just choose not to make them part of my life. They aren't really that hard to avoid from my experience.

You are very, very lucky, Chris