[*Laurie*]

...that basically everything you do that they don't like is because your bipolar is out of control and you need to see your psychiatrist and therapist on an emergency basis, because you are clearly not okay and they are very worried about you.

But in truth, you feel quite stable and are pretty darn sure that the issue has more to do with the family member not being comfortable with what you've done or said than it has to do with your Bipolar Disorder or your stability. And when you calmly and kindly tell them that, they reply with, "I'm truly trying to help you, I just don't think you're able to see what's happening right now. That's the thing."

Yes, this keeps happening to me. And I am getting reeeallly tired of it.


What do you do when you feel your being accused of being unstable, when in fact you feel quite stable, but get normally angry and respond in a normal way, then your family member accuses you of being unstable?

[Christopher1990]

I usually hate them for it and at the time I feel like I'm doing great and I am just on the up side. I can last weeks maybe months on the upside. But then it becomes an issue where I can't hold it together any longer and I fall deep into the abyss.

Whenever, say my mom notices a change, I hate to say it but they're almost always right. Maybe if I slowed down and caught it before it became to late things would of been different.

We are judged unfairly. Hope this isn't your case.

Hope all is well on the bipolar train.

[SeekerSeeking]

If you really believe the family member is uncomfortable with Bipolar Disorder—then let it go. It’s not about you and you can’t fix it. Only they can with time and wisdom…

If they said they thought you were an old cereal box. You’d shake it off; it wouldn’t even hit you because you KNOW you are not an old cereal box. So when they say they think you are out of control, etc…know it’s just them and their opinion, and possibly their fear, and don’t let it hit you.

[Row Jimmy]

Everyone is always asking me if I'm OK. I think it comes with the territory. It can be intrusive but I just offer some reassuring words like "sound as a pound". I'm actually comforted that people are starting to accept my BP as long as they don't constantly challenge me. One worry people have with me is my climbing mountains all by myself. They think I'm off my rocker, but I tell them this is something I need to do to help me and they just accept it for what it is.

[*Laurie*]

Thanks, all. I appreciate the shared experiences. An old cereal box

[Supanova]

Ugh this happened to me when I first started to withdraw from my meds. I had to cut them off and now am happier than ever, med -free and living a long, long way away from the people who would prefer me to be a zombie because they dont like the authentic me. Like, I wanted to shave my head and apparently that choice of hair cut makes me crazy. The hair was donated to a wig charity - and when people shave their heads for cancer it is fine - but when i did it ITS BIPOLAR GO TO HOSPITAL YOU NUTCASE!

Cutting them off was not easy and even now they will contact me and use questions like "do you need anything" if I was to reply that I needed ANYTHING that would be a sign that I was not coping and should be in psychiatric care. So I dont fall for those types of traps anymore and am completely independant and functioning as a healthy adult should.