[shortandcute]

"Honey, we ALL got issues."
"Did you ever consider moving to a bigger city?"
"Why don't you just get a job at a daycare? THAT'S an easy job."
"Prozac! That's the one all over the news lately."
"But you seem so nice!"
"Maybe you can get your son to teach you how to drive."
"You just want to be mental."
"You're not that disabled."
"You're not that crazy!"
"You're just want people to think you're losing it."
"You just want so & so to say you have a disorder because you like that."
"Don't pay attention to the doctors! Own your recovery."

What is the situation? You tell strangers about your MI?

[H3rmit]

"You're doing great. You're fine."

"You just want to hold on to it, so you can be a victim."

(By the way, I don't often have to *tell* others I have MI. It freaking shows.)

[allimsaying]

What kind of reaction would make you feel better short?

Originally Posted by shortandcute

"Honey, we ALL got issues."
"Did you ever consider moving to a bigger city?"
"Why don't you just get a job at a daycare? THAT'S an easy job."
"Prozac! That's the one all over the news lately."
"But you seem so nice!"
"Maybe you can get your son to teach you how to drive."
"You just want to be mental."
"You're not that disabled."
"You're not that crazy!"
"You're just want people to think you're losing it."
"You just want so & so to say you have a disorder because you like that."
"Don't pay attention to the doctors! Own your recovery."

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by George H.

What is the situation? You tell strangers about your MI?

No I don't.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by allimsaying

What kind of reaction would make you feel better short?

WOW!!! Seriously?

[allimsaying]

Seriously

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by allimsaying

Seriously

I'm just a little confused as to why you're so upset? This thread was not meant as a personal attack against you.

[allimsaying]

Im not upset, sorry if it came off that way. I just wondered if you dont like certain reactions, what reaction would you like?

[Sabra]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

"Honey, we ALL got issues."
"Did you ever consider moving to a bigger city?"
"Why don't you just get a job at a daycare? THAT'S an easy job."
"Prozac! That's the one all over the news lately."
"But you seem so nice!"
"Maybe you can get your son to teach you how to drive."
"You just want to be mental."
"You're not that disabled."
"You're not that crazy!"
"You're just want people to think you're losing it."
"You just want so & so to say you have a disorder because you like that."
"Don't pay attention to the doctors! Own your recovery."

Good morning,

The way I read your post was that you were stating the ignorant responses we get bkz we are mentally ill. In another thread, can't remember the forum, but we were discussing the callous and ignorant remarks people said to us.

Sabra

Originally Posted by shortandcute

No I don't.

Originally Posted by shortandcute

WOW!!! Seriously?

Well, we were just curious. My way has been to keep it to a "need to know" basis. Only the closest and most trusted friends and family. That cuts way down on the pet peeve reactions.
I'm sorry you've had such bad reactions. Most people are not really sensitive and wise enough to have a helpful reaction. Some of those don't really seem so bad but not knowing your illness or the context or tone of voice I could be wrong.
My MI isn't so obvious. That presents it's own set of problems.

[Silent Void]

"You don't look that sick."

[wildflowerchild25]

"You just need to be happy! Tell yourself you're happy and you will be!"

Or

"You're just letting this beat you. Stand up and fight!"

[allimsaying]

Here's one from my best friend's brother: TRIGGER WARNING




Want me to get you a gun?

Sorry again shortandcute, I hope my PM explained it.

[Travelinglady]

I've had somebody (a nurse, even) tell me I "don't act like someone with bipolar disorder."

My response was, "Well, you haven't seen me when I wasn't taking my medications."

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by George H.

Well, we were just curious. My way has been to keep it to a "need to know" basis. Only the closest and most trusted friends and family. That cuts way down on the pet peeve reactions.
I'm sorry you've had such bad reactions. Most people are not really sensitive and wise enough to have a helpful reaction. Some of those don't really seem so bad but not knowing your illness or the context or tone of voice I could be wrong.
My MI isn't so obvious. That presents it's own set of problems.

That's how I do it too. I don't just randomly go around telling random people about my MI. Those comments were made by family, close friends, and even a doctor! (He told me that if I just learned how to drive, that would cure my depression.)

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

I've had somebody (a nurse, even) tell me I "don't act like someone with bipolar disorder."

My response was, "Well, you haven't seen me when I wasn't taking my medications."

I had a similarly stupid remark made. "Why are you going to those AA meetings? You're not an alcoholic. All the time I've known you, I haven't seen you drink one cocktail."

"Yeah, that's because I'm sober now."

My explanation didn't work. Unfortunately, that conversation ended with him still wondering how I'm an alcoholic if I don't drink. Of course, he was a pretty heavy drinker himself, and probably didn't want to face examining his own behavior, if he acknowledged I had a problem.

[liveforfish]

"Have you taken your meds today?"

What, I'm not allowed to have feelings or a bad day!

Originally Posted by liveforfish

"Have you taken your meds today?"

What, I'm not allowed to have feelings or a bad day!

YES!!!!!!!

I can't even cry, for any reason, without my perfectly well-meaning husband asking me if I need to call my p-doc. He does admit to being emotionally inhibited, but he still doesn't seem to understand that most people cry sometimes, and it's OK.

[Meisjes]

"Wouldn't it just be nice if you could just forget about all of it so you could move forward?" right after confiding a positive outcome

[big zero]

It's very hurtful when the people who are supposed to be there for you turn around and say this kind of things instead. I've had firsthand experience... [mild TW for verbal abuse]

My therapist:
"You choose to feel this way, so you can choose to not feel this way if you want to." - Guess my brain has a "depression-OFF" switch I just haven't found yet?
"So long as you choose not to be normal, you'll never be at peace." (she had an obsession with 'normal' people)

My mum:
"You like to be the victim!"
"You talk about this like it's our fault. All we ever did was out of love. Quit blaming us!" (she has to make EVERYTHING about herself, but somehow it always end up being my fault)

My dad:
"If I got over [my anxiety] all by myself, so can you. It's all about willpower."

And my personal favorite... from one of my 'friends' back when I was younger...
"You just want attention." (not from you I don't, scumbag...)

I don't go around telling people I'm sick, either. I used to actively search for a T after the latest fiasco (the one I quoted), but lately even that seems useless. At least my boyfriend is supportive when I don't p*** him off too badly with my moods...

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Lovebird

YES!!!!!!!

I can't even cry, for any reason, without my perfectly well-meaning husband asking me if I need to call my p-doc. He does admit to being emotionally inhibited, but he still doesn't seem to understand that most people cry sometimes, and it's OK.

or "maybe talk to your doctors about prescribing you some meds for that" following a legitimate complain about some "real" issue (one that will not disappear with me taking meds...).

[shezbut]

"It's over now. You're safe with me. Let go of the past. Focus on the positive!"

All very true, yes. But, it isn't that easy! I've been repressing these horrible memories for years & they want to come out now ~ my bf just doesn't understand why I'm bringing this stuff up now, after all of these years! It's really hard and depressing!!

[unhappycamper463]

"You have no right to complain"
"Suicide is cowardly"
"It's a permanent solution to a temporary problem"
"You complaining about your life is like a skinny person complaining to a fat person that they are fat"