[RedFusion24]

There are not many people who understand what it's like to be bipolar. I don't think it's even possible, honestly. I find very little point in telling people about it, because then they treat you different. Every feeling you have, legitimate or not, they tell you that you are being ridiculous. It becomes so that you aren't allowed to have any feelings at all.

But at the same time I am SO sick of people who don't know (and even some that do) telling me to snap out of it, toughen up, just get it done, etc. I know what I need to do and I don't need other people telling me. In my world, it's just not that simple! Those words really set me off, but I don't really know the proper way to react.

So, do I tell them so they leave me alone, or just "suck it up" ?

[Pughead]

I am not going to tell anyone except for select family members. Reason being that no-one understands it unless they have dealt with BP personally. I am pretty sure most people will have that "this guy's crazy" in the back of their mind when talking to you.

[Jkeyz]

I don't know exactly how I would reply to someone who told me to "suck it up" or "get it done" other than, "I'm doing the very best that I can". Everyday your best is going to be different. And everyday, no matter what it is that needs to be done, you are going to do the best you can to get it accomplished.

At first, I didn't tell anyone except my family that I was BP. There are some in my family that I wish didn't know because they don't understand. It's like they knew how to handle it when I just had the "depression" label, but now that I have a different label, they don't know what to do. They treat me differently.

Now, I have told total strangers that I am BP. I figure if they want to know more, they'll ask. If they care, they'll ask. If they don't care or they think I'm "mental" because of it.....then what do I care? I know who my friends are. They are the ones who are beside me no matter what label I have across my forehead, whether they understand or not.

So I guess my advice would be for you not to tell anyone except your closest family and friends at this point. And to tell everybody else that you are doing the best that you can. Best wishes {{{{HUGS}}}}

[june30]

maybe it's my own need to accept my BP, but i don't keep it secret. that said, i don't go telling people unless it comes up. i like to think that in my lifetime the BP taboo will fade away.

my response to the "can't you just get over it" question would be, "bipolar is a disorder that impairs functioning just like any other disease. if it was a broken leg, or cancer, you wouldn't tell me to suck it up. p.s., kiss my ***".

or something to that effect