I came out... To fb

I just felt like I HAD to. Because I'm sick of a-holes to stigmatize this illness and I want to stand up for myself and my friends with any MI.

This is copied of what I posted:

I have something to put out there. And I know
I'll regret this post immediately but I'm taking a risk...

Ok well I don't air my dirty laundry on fb but I'm doing this for awareness and the friends of mine that also suffer. Well, I'm BIPOLAR, with PTSD, and often depression and anxiety. I've been ill since I was a small kid. I guess you can say that when my mother passed, so did my sanity. I've suffered greatly for years, I've been hospitalized, and I've been on so many different meds I can't even count. All these years I've lost jobs, friends and family like flies because they found out. And there's a few of you here too that "suddenly" stopped talking to me when you found out. But I'll just chalk that up to ignorance. I'm not losing any sleep over you assholes either. And those of you who now think I'm "crazy" can unfriend me right now. I am stable but I have bad days and a wonderful bf who supports and takes care of me even when I'm at my worst. I'm sick of the stigma against these illnesses and sick of assholes. Now I already regret putting this out there but in pressing the "post" button and hoping for the best."

How was it?? Anyone want to be my fb friend and support my movement? Lol

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I am not on fb but I am sure that was a tough thing for you to do.
To have done it only makes you stronger. Well done.

Im already getting tons of comments and support from friends and family for my post. I feel good about it now. I don't want to hide anymore or feel like I'm a lesser person because I'm sick. Hey, maybe this will keep all the dudes from hitting on me now lmao

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I'm debating whether to post something on FB myself.

This rocks. Good work!

Well done is exactly what I thought. It was well-written. Thanks for advocating for us. You just helped a lot of people, truly. The stigma and secrecy of this illness is too much. Thanks for raising awareness for you and, well, everyone.

I'm glad you're receiving support and for those who don't...their loss.

Thanks for posting what you wrote as I don't have FB.

lol you'll still get hit on, trust me lol

Lmao you're probably right

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Bipolar girls are more fun😀😀😀😀😘

I cant do that but congratulations for being so strong.

I can't come out yet, either, but maybe one day if I change jobs I can. Good for you!! It's nice to be able to be honest with everyone, I'm sure.

That would have taken a lot of courage. I am proud of you. Thanks also for helping break down the stigma. I have done posts on FB about being in hospital for mental illness before and was amazed at the support I got (and the silence from some too). Don't think I mentioned Bipolar though. You worded yours really well. Keep us posted on how the feedback goes. Feel free to PM me if you want to be FB friends

You are an inspiration RxQueen! Thank you!

Very brave! It was well written and I'm glad your getting positive feedback....hugs

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Well done. You've inspired me to do the same. I'll report back here this evening.

That's the first time that I've read you mention your mother's passing. That explains a lot and is probably the point of origin for your illness. Hugs.

The truth sets you free!

I, on the other hand, am so totally nothing on FB, and with my local friends. I don't say a thing about how I've been suffering. Instead, I try to act like little miss perfect.

Only those closest to me know the truth, and all of you guys.

Well done!
Very courageous on your part!
I am thrilled you are getting support! Wow!

Thank you for your advocacy efforts, too!

I am not on FB. If ever I do join, hope to be friends there, too.


WC

Thanks everyone. I woke up to many more comments and a few PMs of people telling me about their own situations. One person said "I can talk to you about this now that I know you get it". It makes me feel good to be there for others and able to be open with them now. Thank you all for the continued support as well!

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I am on fb and it takes guts to do it. I would do it but afraid to. I have family on there that would be disgusted by it

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Thank you for your thoughtful post on FB. You are very brave.

You'd be surprised! I got tons of comments from family that I haven't even seen in ten years. One cousin told me to come stay with her and relax. It's amazing who is commenting because I wouldn't even expect it. But people do care. And if they are "disgusted" then they can take a hike. How could someone be disgusted by a person that is sick.

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I hope it's ok to piggyback this on your thread.

This is what I've drafted. I haven't posted it yet because I'm a little hesitant on my own, but I'm pretty sure my wife would not be in favor of such a post. Anyhow, here is what I'm considering:


From my requests for rides to ECT, many of you will have figured out that I suffer from depression. To put a specific label on it, I have bipolar II, in which the manias are less severe, but depressions longer than with bipolar I. Because I have rough times, and occasionally experience stigma, I'd like you, my friends, to be as informed and educated as possible. Bipolar is not like flipping a switch from elation to rage or despair. It does not make one crazy. It is quite often grinding depression and a struggle to function like everyone else. It is an illness poorly understood and frequently misrepresented in popular culture. Please understand.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has a good site for information. About Bipolar Disorder - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

(And thanks to Gabyunbound for the editing suggestions.)

It's perfectly fine and I think that would make a great post. I'm not going to lie, when I woke up this morning I thought "oh no what did I do?!" Then I checked my phone to see more support and it made my day. I've gotten no negative reactions or comments. I feel good and free that I posted. I hope you do to!

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Well done, and very well stated! I also came out on FB during mental health awareness month back in May, and I did receive support, and didn't care if people.unfriended me over it, it was liberating to say the least, and I also wanted.to help.stop the stigma of mental illness. But it was very brave of you to also.come out on FB.

Good for you!!! That was very brave. I still haven't come out as BP, but I did come out as a self injurer a couple of months ago. I only did because I wanted to post a picture of my new tattoo and you can clearly see the hundred or so scars that adorn my arm. I mean I got the tattoo to cover the scars but you can still see them if you look close, and since the tat was fresh in the photo they were a bit raised. So I took a leap. I got lots of praise and support. No one that I know unfriended me and if they did I definitely don't care because I didn't even notice. I was mainly worried because I had a bunch of coworkers as friends but I figured hell, they've all been spreading rumors about me for years, they might as well know the truth.

I'm glad it went well for you!