[~Christina]

Ok.... so I really enjoy the show Greys Anatomy.

For those that don’t know of it. There are two characters Meredith and Cristina and there are each other’s “ Person”

They have an amazing friendship, they have each other’s back, always, it’s deep in so many layers.

Cristina’s character left the show and the only other person from there original “ intern days” Is “Alex”

Meredith informed him he is now her “ person” that person that has your back, knows your darkest thoughts and fears. He needed a person too.

So .... I think the majority of us with Bipolar struggle to maintain friendships, we become unstable, isolate, just can’t follow through on get togethers, we feel like a burden and 235 more reasons why...

For myself I have a great friend I met on here years ago Trippin2.0 was her name.. “ Lia “ has become a very important person in my life.. she lives in South Africa so the possibility of hugging her in person is really impossible. She understands me when I can’t figure myself out. She’s my “ person”

I think what draws so many of us close , faster , than a person in real life is because we “ get it” people can decide how much they want to interact here and share, if I say I’m stuck in my head or my heads loud ... you all nod your head and say “ yep” on whatever level it hits you.

I’m feeling emotional and I just wanted to reach out and thank all of you for your support, advice, swift kicks in the a&& when needed and cheering me on.

[Nammu]

Aww

I can sure relate. I haven't any " person" in my life lately I'm pretty isolated but I did have at one time

[Moose72]

Loves ya, Christina! Thank you for being there for me when I most need it but don't know it!

[Polibeth]

I'm fortunate to have a person IRL. She's also Bipolar. We met 23 years ago.

We sometimes go weeks without talking but we get together for Taco Tuesday about once a month

I'm truly blessed.

[unaluna]

Im so glad to hear that Trippin is still around! I come across an old post of hers and wonder how she is doing. She is such a strong brave young woman. I really admire her wisdom and goodness. You picked a good "person"!

[fern46]

I have been fortunate enough to have a person. She doesn't always understand, but she knows how to be there for me no matter the situation. Twisted sisters!

This is a lovely description of your friend and I see this as an important topic for those, like us, with a mental illness. I'm so glad you have "Lia", too.

I don't have a "Lia" like you do. I do have my husband, but I recognize that is slightly different. I wish I had a "Lia" type friend. I'm in dire need of one. I recognize my part in preventing that kind of relationship from happening for me. I don't mean myself or anyone else harm by it. It is complex. I know my bipolar disorder has played a significant role in my difficulties with friendships. I won't say such a friendship would be impossible for me, though. I know I have some work to do to fully develop one. Others have tried to offer such close relationships to me. I was my foe.

[Wild Coyote]

~Christina, You are very fortunate!
Just as I am very fortunate to know you.

I used to think I'd had a person... or so it had seemed to me.

In looking back, I can see I have been fortunate to have had a different "person" during different chapters of my life.. I hope to share with one as I move on to the next chapter of my life.
I'm not in a rush. It will happen with great ease if/when I cross the path of such a person. I also feel it's possible to have more than one person.

I'd had a dream about this just last night.

Great topic, ~Christina!
Love to All~

[tecomsin]

I just wanted to say Hi, Christina. I'm glad you have your 'person'.

Nice post, Christina! And thank you for being YOU!!

Lia's great. Funny too. Say hi to her from me.

It's nice to have others here that understand the struggles from a personal perspective. You can't get that "in the real world" very easily.

[Jedi67]

even though she does not have bipolar disorder, my "person" is my wife. she gets me and understands when I'm going thru a rough patch like I am now. beautiful post and thread! great seeing all the love here.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I love you!!!!

[wiretwister]

I am so happy for you both to have each other . . . my wife tries but really her eyes just qlaze over when I talk to her . . so for now I treasure my friends here including you Christina . . . I am so glad your doing so well . . .

[Phoenix_1]

I'm so happy that you found your "person". I've watched Grey's since the beginning so I know exactly what you mean.

I have a good friend IRL that I can share mental health issues with but he's a guy so I have no one to talk with about women's issues. He's the only person I can talk to about my mental health IRL, and he's been a huge help when I'm not well. He's the only person besides my family who knows I have BP2. And you guys of course.

I miss having a girlfriend. My best friend since junior high school deserted me when I got sick in 2013. I was on disability and was too broke to keep up with her. What upsets me is that growing up the tables were turned. I grew up in an upper middle class family, and her family were poor farmers. I couldn't have cared less. Now that she's got money and I haven't, it's a different story. She's gone.

I joined a women's group in 1980. The entire group deserted me when I got sick in 2010. After 30 years of membership!

It's difficult for me to maintain friendships when I'm sick. Then when I'm better, the friends are all gone.

[tecomsin]

Oh Phoenix_1, that must have been so painful to be deserted by everyone in the women's group you had belonged to for 30 years. I was deserted also by everyone who I used to be friends with through work once I was put on disability. I call it 'shunning'.

I understand why people don't want to be involved with me though. It is too much trouble. Since 2008 I have been hospitalized every 2 or 3 years for manic psychosis. The last time I was thrown in a forensic psychiatric ward since I didn't pull over for police. I was paranoid of the police and just drove home. The next day they broke down my door and took me away. They mixed the men and women together on the forensic ward. It was a really scary place and I was there for a month.

I was doing dangerous things though before I was incarcerated. I see it much more clearly now.

Now I take a low dose of an antipsychotic everyday and it has been almost 2 years since my last breakdown.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

~Christina, You are very fortunate!

Just as I am very fortunate to know you.


I used to think I'd had a person... or so it had seemed to me.


In looking back, I can see I have been fortunate to have had a different "person" during different chapters of my life.. I hope to share with one as I move on to the next chapter of my life.

I'm not in a rush. It will happen with great ease if/when I cross the path of such a person. I also feel it's possible to have more than one person.


I'd had a dream about this just last night.


Great topic, ~Christina!

Love to All~

You bring up a very important point. Yes there can always be more than one person. I’m greatful you and I have met.

So many people here have been a big part of my life and I hope it continues.

I’m sure DocJon is aware and happy that he started PC so very long ago , but I wonder if he truly understands just how important this place as become for thousands of people over the last decades ?

I count us all very lucky, we have a safe place to be.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Nice post, Christina! And thank you for being YOU!!


Lia's great. Funny too. Say hi to her from me.

I sure will!!! She really misses being here, but her phone as turned into a brick that just can’t connect with PC.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_1

I'm so happy that you found your "person". I've watched Grey's since the beginning so I know exactly what you mean.

I have a good friend IRL that I can share mental health issues with but he's a guy so I have no one to talk with about women's issues. He's the only person I can talk to about my mental health IRL, and he's been a huge help when I'm not well. He's the only person besides my family who knows I have BP2. And you guys of course.

I miss having a girlfriend. My best friend since junior high school deserted me when I got sick in 2013. I was on disability and was too broke to keep up with her. What upsets me is that growing up the tables were turned. I grew up in an upper middle class family, and her family were poor farmers. I couldn't have cared less. Now that she's got money and I haven't, it's a different story. She's gone.

I joined a women's group in 1980. The entire group deserted me when I got sick in 2010. After 30 years of membership!

It's difficult for me to maintain friendships when I'm sick. Then when I'm better, the friends are all gone.

I am so very sorry you've been deserted by your female friends.
I am very struck by the story of a women's group abandoning you after you were with them for 30 years! What a betrayal!

I do know it can be very tough to maintain friendships when we are ill. I have this problem, too. I've had this go on with family, as well. It's sad, to say the least.

I am so glad you have your "guy" friend! I hope the Universe sends you a super special female friend in excellent timing!

Great to have you posting!