[tipper1492]

I started vacuuming this morning, and like so many other mindless task, all of a sudden I recall two friends that I revealed I was BP to. I think it's been few months with one, and longer with the other. Only had two friends. Very best friend died. Do any of you, all of a sudden, think about some friends, you once had, and find the thought rather sour. I can think f*** O** but it still hurts thinking they now think you are mentally damage goods. Also I can think about some very stupid thinks I had done before being put on medications at age 61. When I revealed to one guy, he said he thought (or he & wife I'm sure & probably others) there could be some problem with my thinking.

Then I try to put them out of my mind by thinking about something else or doing something that takes my mind off it. As a result I decided to not reveal my BP to anyone else.

[sideblinded]

Hi tipper1492

I understand where you are coming from. I used to be labeled bipolar until I got loosed from that diagnosis. I had some friends who had me over and they said this to me...in a joking manner...."you aren't going to come and kill us in our sleep are you?" They must have seen some media story on someone who killed their kids and "they were BP" Give me a break. Even though they were kind of joking...it hurt my feelings. I am not friends with them anymore. I just understand that they are ignorant when it comes to mental illness. I would find friends who will support you and your BP dx. This is the best way to have true friends. They are out there. There are many who will understand. Please don't give up on friendships and being honest with them. Peace.

[Mountainbard]

Hi tipper1492-- I agree with what sideblinded said above, and would just add that deciding whether or not to tell someone you have bipolar, or any condition, is always an individual decision. People shouldn't judge us by the illnesses we have, but we all know that we do. That makes me very circumspect about whom, out in the real world, I tell I have bipolar.

[Justugh]

i been tagged since i was 12

it has worked out great for me ......i have 3 friends old school buddies i have known since i was 5 11 and 14 ....brothers from another mother ....they know i am crazy but they accept it and enjoy me for me ........they help keep me lvl and from flying off on projects or if i turn into a pill yes zombie

but i also have a bunch of other ppl they know me and like me but i would not call them friends ....more of ppl i just know the names of

then the bouns they know i am crazy meaning most ppl will leave me alone and only the ones with balls will come up and talk to me .......i rather be friends with someone that has the balls /girly go nads ....those ppl will accept u for u no stigmas or other things ....they might have something wrong too

the last part is i have not had to be in a fight in more then 15 years now ....no one want hit me and make me mad

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi tipper

I'm with you on this one.

I don't disclose.

My one friend knows - because she has mental health issues of her own and I knew that she was in a place to understand where I'm at.