[Schatje]

Have any of you had friends that are in denial about you being bipolar or have used it against you?

I have had a tough time with a couple friends. One friend took everything I had ever told her and all my fears and threw them back in my face when she became angry with me. I don't see how I was to blame for that one. The short story is she had asked to throw me a baby shower and then never invited anyone. The date was only 5 days away and she wasn't returning by phone calls so I emailed he and told her that we couldn't go through with the shower, that I wasn't angry, and I was too sick and depressed to even miss a shower. She lost it, I mean really freaked out, and sent me the nastiest email I had ever gotten. She used every fear I ever had, such as paranoia about people hating me and judging me to small things that I said that irritated me.

Another friend had decided that if she ignores the problem it will go away. I have had a very tough few years, getting much better now though, and wasn't always consistent with my communications with her. She is the type to want to talk all the time and hang out. I spoke with her at least once a week and saw her at least that often, but apparently that wasn't enough. She doesn't understand the disease and won't talk about it or even acknowledge that I sometimes get really depressed or obsessed with something and can't control it.

My family isn't really that different. The won't talk about it when I need to. I understand it makes them uncomfortable. I tried giving them a book about it hoping that it would start a dialogue and it didn't. They only want to know if there is a major problem.

I feel very alone right now. I really only have one friend that gets it and I think it is because she has experienced depression. It is great to find a community that you can speak freely in where people understand

[browneyes_248]

my family is like that, i just learned i had it 2wks before thanksgiving and im still kinda scared. its a hush hush thing. and my sister says im fakeing so anyway i just wanted you to know i understand hugssss

[AAAAA]

I'm sorry that you're feeling so alone! My mother is bipolar, so when I finally spoke up about what was going on with me she was a great help. It took me a long time to admit there was a problem and seek help, I was in denial myself.

My grandmother however was not... understanding. One of the meds my mom takes, zyprexia made her put on a great deal of weight. My mother has struggled with suicidal tendencies since I was a child. She was hospitalized for it against her will when I was 12ish. My grandmother was aware of all of this and her main concern for my mother was not that my dad, the love of her life, just died, or that she has been battling severe depression for 40 years; it was that she was "so fat."

Some people truly amaze me.

[wildchild]

I am going through the same thing. My parents wont even acknowledge that i have bi polar and it hurts. I know this may sound strange but even my own ex husband whom I communicate with alot won't either and i need them too. I have had more supposrt from my friends and total strangers and this website. It really bothers me. My ex husband throws everything in my face and tries to tell me what i need to do. He just doesnt get it or understand. What do we do? I really need their support. Any suggestions? Plus we think our pregnant 19 yr old has bi polar also. I am so scared for her. Too many mood swings. Thank you for listening. I am grateful for the support that i do have. But not having the supposrt of my parents hurts most of all.

[Seraph]

My parents refuse to accept the idea that I might be bipolar. If I mention it, they change the subject. (It's pretty obvious actually)

I did finally get one of them to talk about it. I knew some of my family members had mood disorders, but I never realized just how many of them did. Also, apparently multiple people have called me crazy. They admit that I'm a depressive, they just ignore it. They will not even talk about the possibility of me being bipolar.

I guess they probably thought hiding it was the best way to go. Honestly, I can deal with it, but I need a little closure.

[trippinmickey]

Its one of the things i hate the most about being bipolar everyone Acts that way .Like if they pretend its not there it (you) will go away but don't come to close they don't wont to catch it. The worst are the statements! (Why dont you just stop or Knock it off everyone gets depressed) Your story is like alot of peoples with bi-polar ive been in groups with 10 to 30 people and the stories all the same .But it can get much worst .CYS said I was not aloud to be around my kids alone if I was taking my meds. so I stopped taking them and was removed from my house and told not to come back around or my kids would be taking away! So I lost my house Lost my kids Lost my wife Lost my mind i couldn't win. Latter i found out at least where I live that this happens to all most everyone who goes on SSD .

I have found friends in groups i go to And moved away from the township i use to live in and moved back in with my wife and kids .