I certainly do.

I feel like I can't relate to people on an emotional level, mostly because I think I feel emotions more intensely than the average person. I also don't think non-BP people can really grasp what it's like to have BP -- specifically the emotional instability part.

I think this "emotional disconnect" can create tension on relationships/friendships, which I believe ultimately results in alienation if the disconnect is too much -- at least for me, anyway.

I just feel that I'm "unpredictable" because of my rapid cycling, and that on its own might push people away? Not sure. That's just my theory

[JustJace2u]

YES YES YES!!! I've started to notice this about me recently. There are a select few I know who can relate on some level, but they don't completely understand how my mood can swing so drastically and so quickly.

[Redsaqua]

Yes. Not by my few friends. Family, has always made me feel outside. Quote from one 'If you weren't family I wouldn't have tried to know you or trust you with my children.'
I do not have shame for my bipolar, in fact I feel it gives me compassion for others. 16 years I have worked understanding this. 13years attempting to educate my family and still feeling alienated.

[Unrigged64072835]

Welcome to PC, Redsaqua!

I've felt alienated for years, even without the diagnosis. I've always felt different than other people. Fortunately I have a husband and a daughter who understands. But in general people don't get me, and I don't get them either.

[Ripose]

I have no friends and don't talk at all with my family or my wife's. When I must deal with other people at first they think I am very nice and intelligent but something usually happens to change their opinion quite quickly.
Ahh the life of a loner.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Redsaqua

Yes. Not by my few friends. Family, has always made me feel outside. Quote from one 'If you weren't family I wouldn't have tried to know you or trust you with my children.'
I do not have shame for my bipolar, in fact I feel it gives me compassion for others. 16 years I have worked understanding this. 13years attempting to educate my family and still feeling alienated.

Welcome to PC!

It's very sad when families don't try to understand. I am sorry you go through this. Some families just will not try to understand or try to help.
I have very concrete severe autoimmune illnesses with severe pain. Most of my family has not shown they care at all. They do not care about educational material, about my struggles and just sit in judgement without the facts. If I miss a family function due to severe illness/pain, I am punished by not getting invited the next time, even though I have called and explained my absence and am writhing in pain. Not only is there not understanding, there's judgement and punishment.
Some families are incapable of responding with compassion.


WC

[Theseus]

I just don't feel like I belong anywhere. It's not only the BP, but Asperger's, and social anxiety and awkwardness. I often feel awkward at the religious facility I attend (no names, but I'm a US born Italian-American following a 5,000 year old South Asian religion ). I've been overwhelmingly welcomed by everyone, but my own demons often make me feel uncomfortable, because about the only westerner who attends. I know it's my problem, no one else's.

[Treyfrancis21]

I feel really alienated at times. Especially when people ask how I'm doing. Until the recent addition of wellbutrin my answer was never just "good," and I feel like people don't want to hear that things are anything but good or else things get uncomfortable. There's also the whole macho male stigma that says I should just be stronger and try harder and not blame my problems on mental illness. I have a couple bipolar friends who get it, but most people just don't understand the inner turmoil that rages. Hell, I don't understand it much of the time, how could someone else get it?

[Coffeee]

I feel alienated because it seems I am unpredictable and don't have much going on in my life. I hate using the same excuse of not feeling good to get out of social stuff.

It seems like others with MI understand better, even if it's not the same one.

[OctobersBlackRose]

I feel alienated aswell, I just don't have anything in common with people, maybe when hypo I'm more.social, but when I'm depressed.I feel really alienated and alone. I just feel like no one understands, I feel emotions differently and deeper than most (even on meds, may not look like it but I do), and ever since I came out as mentally ill on FB I feel like that made some people.want to walk on eggshells around me or completely stay away from me altogether, I don't have any irl friends all mine are online...