[Notnrml85]

I am beyond frustrated with certain family members treating me like I'm a bad wife and mother because I am bipolar and experience severe bipolar symptoms. This is what I would like to say to them, but I am scared. I feel like they will just say that I am being a victim or something like that. What do you think about sending this statement to someone close to you who doesn't even try to understand mental illness.

I have lived through sexual, emotional and physical abuse. I have tried to kill myself more times than I can count starting at age 11. I have had mood swings that made me feel extreme mental and emotional ups and downs with my ups containing psychosis and my downs completely destroying any hope or good thoughts in my head. I am a very high functioning bipolar person. That's why I can seem like I'm okay and really be in severe emotional pain inside. I also suffer from PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. These problems interfere with my everyday life and my ability to do everyday tasks. And yes every one of those diagnosis's are real, have real symptoms, have real effects on my mental health. Depression can cause physical pain as well as a variety of debilitating symptoms. That's why I am considered disabled. I have a serious illness. Just because it's a mental illness and not a physical one, doesn't mean that the symptoms aren't any less debilitating or horrific. My illness may not be considered terminal, but a very high percentage of people with mental illness, specifically bipolar, die from suicide. And no, it is not because they are selfish or bad people. It's because the pain is so extreme that their thinking is distorted in a way that makes them believe suicide is the only way to escape the pain that many of these mentally ill people have had to deal with their entire lives. Oh, and they have had to deal with this mental illness while people who claim that they love them say things to them like "you're overreacting" or "cheer up" or "you seem just fine to me". These things are a bad idea to say to someone with mental illness when they're telling you about symptoms or a difficulty they are having. If you know someone with mental illness, treat them with the respect and dignity that anyone with a debilitating illness would deserve. And NO, I am not being dramatic or exaggerating. This is real and you do not understand what I am going through if you are normal. And I don't care how many normal people also experience "mood swings" or depression at some point in their lives. It cannot compare to living with mood swings or depression or any number of symptoms, which are much more severe as a mentally ill individual. If you want to be close to me than I expect for you to educate yourself about my illness and treat me accordingly. If you need suggestions on what books or websites have the information for close friends and family of someone with bipolar, I can find some and recommend them. If you aren't willing to do that, then I will not confide in you and you have no right to expect anything of me.

[Victoria'smom]

I think it would be used against you more then help.

[Notnrml85]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I think it would be used against you more then help.

Just curious, but how does it come off? Does it make me look like a worse person somehow? I just can't see how it would be taken by others. How do you think it can be used against me? Do you mean like it will make them want to hospitalize me or something? Thanks for your input.

[Noodles_320]

Maybe send them a book on living with someone living with bipolar. I agree if they are treating you bad now, don't give them anymore details or specifics. If they would consider reading a book about bipolar it might give them some insight into what you go through.

[Victoria'smom]

I have lived through sexual, emotional and physical abuse. this is something that is difficult to talk to the most supportive person so having less supportive people know can harm you when your depressed. Mentioning suicide even statistic wise and psychosis can make you look like an unfit parent to non supportive people.
The rest sounds like your on the attack.

The best thing is to remind them your trying your best and that's all that you can do.

[gris212]

I would agree they can use it against you. Don't provide them with the ammunition. I like the suggestion of giving them a book on Bipolar or mental illnesses so at least they can try to understand you on some level. They already think bad about you, in their eyes your just providing them the proof to confirm it. I say don't do it, find another method of getting through to them.