Bipolar Support Group

Do They See You As A Person Or A Mentally Ill ?

I've always kept my bp my little secret. Most people just think I am flamboyant, theatrical and/or an extrovert. My family that know my dx see me as their wife, mother, daughter - until I exhibit some symptom then maybe as their wife, mother, daughter that's a bp.

In the medical world - outside of psychiatry - I often feel that their objectivity ends when I disclose that I'm on lithium and tegretol - ???

I really have hope that the new psa's (not the commercials so much) will bring a new public understanding of bp! then your question would not hold so much meaning, as it clearly does now......

H.

Thats a toughy, for the average person that I see infrequently, I say nothing however my rather odd sense of humor and timing can raise their ears to it. I am very comfortable in my own skin so it isn't something I worry about too much. problem is when I say something in jest, it is taken as if I am serious. I guess us BP's arent supposed to have a sense of humor LOL

I've gotten to the point where it doesn't mean a whole lot to me how other people see me. I care how I see myself and I make that my compass.

I talk openly to my pdoc and clinical staff, they like my sense of humor and we have great laughs about it. I know it sounds kinda creepy and just plain wrong but that is how I cope with it... laughter.

My partner, best friend, and family are the only people in my life that know I am bp. Like you, other people think I'm an extrovert who always likes to be the life of the party. I'm afraid of what people will think if they find out my secret. Most people just think that I'm a true Gemini.

Unfortunately when I was diagnosed I divulged the information and I regret that dearly. Not only has it impacted my life in a negative way but my daughters as well.

I would say that the majority of the people see me as mentally ill. The stigma is huge and with me being so nieve I never anticipated that. While my family remembers who I was before all of this, newer acquaintenances probably see me as "wierd" lol...

I also agree with Haro that the medical community is extremely biased because once you divulge that you have a mental illness, they tend to dismiss you and attribute everything to that. I would not recommend that to anyone seeking help outside of the mental health community, think twice about it at least.

Only my family and best friends and ofcourse my dear friends on here know I am bipolar. It hasn't been a problem as of yet. I did have one akward experience when my daughter poked me in the eye last year and it got infected so I went to the local medical center run by Johns Hopkins doctors, when we went over my meds the girl did seem uncomfortable and even questioned me when I said lithium, like I said the wrong med.It was uncomfortable and I could feel the stigma, yuck!

I do not have the need to speak with my disorders to anyone. The only ones that are aware would have to be all you guys and close relatives. Sometimes I'm pretty sure that people assume something is up with me, but then again they probably think I'm just a......yep.

Too many disorders I have I don't even think people care to figure out what's wrong with me in that case to look at me as normal or ill. They give up.

Dear Super Bp Man!

I know the emptiness and brokenness you feel.

What im beginning to think though that is we are the normal oneswho see life as it rly is and we feel the hurts of others....its those who skip merrily by blissfully unaware- THEY have the mental illness! We are just acutely sensitive.what do u think?

Post edited by: Jenette, at: 12/30/2009 04:56 AM

When I was first diagnosed, I told my work. They didnt have a problem and have been very supportive. My friends on the other hand are a different story. I told them and now they stay away from me like I have the plague. Oh I will get a text message here and there on holidays or when something funny catches their eye and they need 10 people to forward it to for that something good to happen to them, but other than that they just treat me like a mental patient. It really bothers me so I have given up trying with them. A couple of friends dont seem to mind, but the friends that even went through my son's suicide with me all stay at arms length away from me now because of this illness.

When I was working, I told my HR lady too and well, her reaction was "everyone is being diagnosed!" in the most snotty way you can think of. I had some support in the beginning and people seemed to understand my actions a bit more knowing but then everyone seemed to start staying away from me. No one ever asked how my day was going for fear of me being honest.

My family won't hardly talk to me. I did get a gift and a letter yesterday but nothing about "how are you all holding up?". Hell, my younger brother sent the letter and put my maiden name on it. No one told him that I even got married. (very small ceremony in front of the JP)It hurts me. I don't really have any friends in the fleshy world, except one that is a friend to my husband and I. He always asks how I am doing and I am honest with him. He doesn't treat me like I am contagious. He knows everyone has issues, including himself. No judgments. It is a nice change.

I am really rethinking about my college career choice. I refused to go to an appointment this morning for aid because of stigma and for fear of what you said, ohfaithful. I also have a ton of anxiety this morning because of it. Anyway, I am going for a bachelors degree in human services and I refuse to work with them because I don't want them in my business?? I definitely need to rethink.

In a nutshell? People tend to treat me "normal" until I start showing signs that I am not balanced. Then yep, the plague. At least I don't get the stigma when working with my doctors. (I have osteoarthritis too) *sigh*

Lrose, I get the same thing. My phone is dead so now I don't have to get my feelings hurt when no one calls or texts. *sigh*