Stigma!

I went to get blood drawn today to monitor my thyroid levels since lithium caused me to develop hypothyroidism. I was called back and told to take off my coat and have a seat. The nurse asked me why I was so fidgety. I told her I was hypomanic. She said she didn't know what that was so I told her I have BP. She got quiet all of a sudden like I was going to murder everyone in the office. She quickly drew my blood and told me I could go. Really? So having bipolar makes me homicidal? Is that how people are going to react? Ugh! That incident shows me that I can not tell anyone other than my loved ones. Apparently the stigma lives on! Have any of you experienced a similar reaction? Sorry about the venting, it really upset me.

Well you ASSUMED that she thought you were homicidal... you may be projecting a bit.

I remember going in for thyroid tests, which had been ordered by my pdoc, and getting a similar reaction from the lady at the registration desk. (I had to use the hospital lab.) My paperwork said "bipolar disorder" as the reason for the tests, instead of "rule out hypothyroidism", and I'm telling you that you could have heard snow falling in that room as soon as she saw that diagnosis. Stigma sucks.

I am so tired of a referring doctor telling the new doc that I am MI. As soon as the new doc knows they refuse to take anything you say seriously and so I have gone away with not even a diagnoses. Once I went to emergency because I was in very severe abdominal pain and without even checking me for any problems they said " it's just gas" and they kicked me out, even though I had all the sign and symptoms of something wrong with my pancreas and or bowels. I was in pain for months before I took a bottle of sleeping sleeping pills to stop the pain for a while. I knew the pills would not hurt me much but of course they said it was a sucide attempt and still they ignored my physical pain.

I just gave up and whatever was wrong seemed to fix itself after 4 months of extreme pain. So now the only thing I ever mention to my doctor is problems with my meds at least she treats me differently than because I am crazy you know.

I have been very lucky and only ever had one ER doc be a douche about it. I've had people back away from me when they found out but if they will listen I educate if not screw 'em.

The only stigma that really fried my biscuits was a lady I worked with coming to me to talk about her BP husband. He had hit her and she said she wanted to talk to me about it because i would understand he couldn't help it.

I had a terrible stigma incident. When I went inpatient in December, the psych nurse who treated me in the er was kind for awhile. I told her my bipolar diagnosis and that I was coming off mania. I explained I had been self harming because I thought I was a bad person and that I have been experiencing incredibly low depression. Again sympathetic concern from her. Near the end of the evaluation she asked about me being a grad student and asked what I was studying. My teeth are chattering from fear. I have no one with me. I had to check in by myself. So I tell her I am training to be an elementary school teacher. One of a very few bright spots in the past months was getting to work in a classroom. When the psych nurse heard this, she freaks out and starts questioning me about this. I didn't understand and started telling her about the kids and how I felt better and stable in a chaotic classroom. She is getting visibly alarmed. Finally she asks accusingly, "do you really think that's a good idea...you....with little children?" I was horrified. Bipolar doesn't mean I am a child abuser. I can't remember what I stammered back. I was really fundamentally shaken by this. She left the room and I sit terrified for well over an hour by myself. She never checks on me even though I told her I was self-harming.
That night I cried and paced for hours. I kept telling myself "I would never hurt a child." I felt so awful and sick and twisted and despicable.
I never saw her again. The two friends who visited me the next day said this was ridiculous accusation that I am patient and kind with kids and not to let it bother me. One of my specialities is working with kids with special needs and learning disabilities. But it deeply troubled me.
When I was released I told my counselor who was very displeased with that nurse's whole line of questioning and particularly her implication at a time I was fragile and hurting.
So yeah stigma sucks. Particularly when it comes from someone who should know better.

Being stigmatized by someone I trusted was horrible. I told my supervisor, who had the appearance of warmth and kindness, but after I told her my diagnosis, because I was starting intermittent FMLA leave, she turned vindictive. Her perception of my performance went from glowingly positive, to only concern and criticism. I felt devastated and betrayed. She should have known better, acted better. But, she didn't. Now I'm so out of there. I won't tolerate fools.

I don't know how much it would take to educate the general public about mi when at times our families and loved ones stigmatize us.

I worked in a mental hospital for 4 years. 1st with autistic children and later with severely mentally retarded adults.

No one ever came to visit the children or adults. It was sad.

They can be taught. With patience and perseverance.

It's possible the nurse just didn't know what to say to you because you overshared. I've had medical personnel know nothing about psych problems and make faux pas just because they were ignorant -- I had a physician's assistant bill a visit to bipolar (which the insurance didn't accept) because I was hyper one morning, and I was there to get my thyroid checked, just like you.

The average medical tech knows nothing about psychiatric issues - he/she is as ignorant as the average person. Also, mania has been over-publicized in the news ... remember Charlie Sheen and his sword?

I honestly don't give a damn about Stigma.. I feel NO need to try and educate the masses... Why? Why should I.

I went to a pan clinic due to severe Fibro pain and I was denied any kind of treatment because I have a history of self harm( over 3 years ago) .. Was I angry? Sure I was . But reality is .. I have 2 issues that there is NO specific test to prove either.... Bipolar and Fibro ..

I just take care of myself as much as possible and when I bump into someone in the medical field or other wise that hasn't a clue and thinks I am going to explode and swing from the ceiling fan squawking like a goose... I prefer to just really laugh it off.. These peoples opinions and actions have no bearing in my life.

Maybe I have just grown a thick skin. I just pick and choose my battles more carefully.

Just my opinion of course

We need more ethics in the medical field. Your time's gonna come, with your help. I won't push anyone who's too busy taking care of themselves though.

Writing up a complaint, that's sort of standard procedure for a change, yes?

I work in the medical field and I've heard and seen my bosses (doctors) mistreat many people because of MI. At my last job in the cardio field, a pt needed a heart cath which the dr usually quickly schedules it for the following wk. but because this guy had BP and on psych meds, the dr told him to get another opinion. When the patient left the dr looked at me and said "he has mental problems. Those are the types that sue you". I was appalled. And that's just the tip of the iceberg in my experiences at work.

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