[muffinhead]

As soon as I got diagnosed, I began to reveal to some of my friends the fact that I have bipolar disorder, in an attempt to reach out for emotional support. In addition, in certain cases I've told people because I was fed up with making up excuses for my behavior. I'd like to hear about how much you guys disclose to others about your condition.

[akandthekitty]

Hi Muffinhead,
I am very open about my diagnoses ( Bipolar Disorder 1, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder). I believe in a way being bipolar is part of my personality and it is part of what makes me me. If I had a shirt stating I am bipolar I would parade it. With my friends if I have a moment they feel perfectly comfortable asking if I skipped my medications. Some people are going to rain on your parade, thats just because there are some crappy people out there and you have to see it as its not your problem they dont accept it because all that matters is that you do! And embrace it sometimes its crap and I mean crap and other times its great. Just like the famous meme I hate being bipolar! Its Great!

[jesusplay]

I've always regretted telling people, maybe it's because I don't have any meaningful relationships with anyone.

[BlackSheep79]

My family and friends know. I finally came out at work a few years ago. My boss knew soon after I started, I was a temp. and was missing time, I was afraid I was going to lose my job. He has been awesome thru these hard times. Anyways I finally told my co- workers a few years ago, got sick of the stares after med leave all the time. I really don't care what they think. I'm trying to change the stigma. So many people would say there's no way you have bipolar, yup I sure do. People also have came to me for advice, so I'm glad that I have been able to help others out. It's been surprising for me how much support I have at work. When I am on med leave my co-workers get me a card and ask how I'm doing, even people I didn't expect to ask. I know I have taken a big risk coming out. I'm trying to move up in the company in my field, which is a large company, but it may never happen. For me personally I have maybe changed the stigma a tiny bit and helped a few people out. That's worth it to me.

[Justugh]

i own it ........everyone that knows me ...knows i am nutz in laymens terms ....it has worked in my favor for many many years

but if someone ask me i tell them bluntly with a smile on my face ......been like this so long now it is the normal thing ...going to be like this until i kick the bucket ......love me or hate me but this is me

keep a sense of humor about it nothing major ..........be your self and own it ........someday crazy will be a good thing .....normal does not seem to work in congress so crazy might

[BlackSheep79]

Originally Posted by Justugh

i own it ........everyone that knows me ...knows i am nutz in laymens terms ....it has worked in my favor for many many years

but if someone ask me i tell them bluntly with a smile on my face ......been like this so long now it is the normal thing ...going to be like this until i kick the bucket ......love me or hate me but this is me

keep a sense of humor about it nothing major ..........be your self and own it ........someday crazy will be a good thing .....normal does not seem to work in congress so crazy might

Yeh you have to keep a sense of humor about this illness at times. With close co-workers I make jokes every now and then to lighten the mood. I want them to know they don't have to be so serious and scared to talk to me about it.

[onionknight]

I use mental illness, depression, hypomania a lot, but I rarely say bipolar.

[Real_not_perfect]

Personally, I don't normally tell people about my conditions due to trust, but I normally open up to people who are going through similar things, because I can at least connect with them and/or get some advice/help. On very rare occasions I will just open up if I need support that badly, but it's mainly just family and trust worthy friends that know.

[nicole84]

Originally Posted by onionknight

I use mental illness, depression, hypomania a lot, but I rarely say bipolar.

I'm a bit like this, mostly with people that aren't close to me. I'll say depression and anxiety usually.

I've only just been diagnosed (again) by my new pdoc who is really good, but it's still been a lot to take in and I have told people close to me. It was weird even telling my best friend though. She has depression. You just don't know how people are going to react.

My friends that also have bipolar or mental illnesses I usually feel ok to talk about it with, but I just judge the situation first before I say anything.

This might change and I might get more comfortable telling people, but it took me 4 years to go back to a pdoc and get diagnosed again as I didn't want to accept it...

[Crazy Hitch]

I've got too many.

Even I lose count

Nah, just my husband.

Everyone else just figures I'm nuts. They're not far from the truth ...

[1D10T]

I choose who I tell about my Bipolar and ADHD simply because I want people to know me first and then know my condition. I figure if they are still around, they are worth telling, and I am proud of who I am as annoyed with myself as I can be lol

[srf1909]

I used to have trouble telling anyone. My family knew something was wrong when I started doing things that were very risky when I was a teenager. I was officially diagnosed a yr ago. Now everyone knows. It's hard to hide it when you've been on so many different meds and nothing stabilizes you.

[wing]

Originally Posted by Real_not_perfect

Personally, I don't normally tell people about my conditions due to trust, but I normally open up to people who are going through similar things, because I can at least connect with them and/or get some advice/help. On very rare occasions I will just open up if I need support that badly, but it's mainly just family and trust worthy friends that know.

Agree, but I get support from others with bp because I don't feel anyone else can truly understand what it's like.

My fear of rejection also keeps me quiet about it, due to the reactions I've received after disclosure in the past.

[sidney1771]

I don't shy away from telling people that I'm bipolar, especially if these are people that regularly in my life. Letting the people at work know was incredibly helpful as they saw me on a consistent basis and could give me some feedback on mood swings and such. They also helped me learn how to manage my interactions with them.

The hardest part that I have in letting people know that I'm bipolar is when they start telling me what it is like and that they think they or a loved one is bipolar when they clearly have no idea, and it is completely insulting to me. I just want to scream and yell at them. Had that happen this summer with a cousin who was talking about her daughter and flippantly said that she was bipolar. When I suggested that it might be something else, I was dismissed for not knowing what I was talking about. Her daughter was 12 and on drugs as it turns out. (I was right.)

So, if you are willing to accept that other people will claim to know more than you do about your condition, it will be fine. Laugh it off, shake your head and mutter "Ignorant son-of-a-gun". Makes you feel a little better.

[tipper1492]

Sidney1771, I can see what you are talking about above, and can understand you being upset with people thinking they understand. Sounds to me like it becomes too complicated dealing with certain people. I keep BP to myself. I told two so called friends and now I'm not sure if them knowing is why I haven't seen them since. Causes my mind to wonder to often, and not knowing the truth. Not worth it.

I just told the newspaper in my town that I have Bipolar as part of an interview. Now I'm thinking... "Holy Cow!" I have never been quite this open before.

[Goldcrest]

I have told very few people about my diagnosis (which is sometimes bipolar, sometimes schizoaffective, depending on my psychiatrist's mood). If I have to say something I say depression, it's often true as I am often depressed. There is still enough stigma about depression, let alone anything else.