Bipolar Support Group

Hello Everyone,

I am finding out that the general public does not feel to comfortable or open to talk about bipolar or any other mental illness.. I have a very supportive family and a knit group of friends. I've been blessed in that way; However, EVERYBODY in my circle seem to be uncomfortable and disapprove of my recent diagnosis. I was recently diagnose with Bipolar =(... I am starting to recent my friends and family because every time I wanna open up about the subject i get the same answer, "you are not bipolar"... And i am starting to put 2 n 2 together and i am concern that they may think of Bipolar as a synonymous for crazy... Which is so not the case.. And the saddest part is that these folks are actually educated.. I need support and I just wanna feel understood =(

knowwhat you mean,especially on my job they all think I am going to go off on a shooting rampage or something. My boss evn forced me to seek a counselor she sent me to. I am not crazy or a killer,i am bipolar.

Gene

Welcome to the site my friend! Glad you have found us!

Also welcome to the crappy way people who should know better treat us.

YOU have your reasons that you went to seach out a p-doc, YOU have delt with all of the problems, the ups, the downs, the drinking, drugs, spending sprees, poor desion making... and the pain.

Your family will come around to the idea once they get over the shock of it. My mother told me it could not be bi-polar because she raised me right. You are going to run into people who think that your crazy!

It will also seem that it unfair that you have to deal with other peoples feelings when you should be focusing on your own.

Stick to the course. If you are really new to the treatment. You are going to have to get used to the meds and some of there side effects, you will probley have to change them a few times to find the right cocktail. You will, with time learn to deal with other people with there stigma's of bi-polar.

This site is a great place. People are hear for you with years of advice wisdom and help. Its great to talk to others that know.

Again welcome, and good luck

Crow

Post edited by: zeetie, at: 09/29/2010 02:50 PM

I despise that stereotype yet I sadly get it too. My ex left me because of my Bipolar. He feared for his life. His family did too... even my friends and family look at me like I am insane, yet I have never once hurt anyone in a physical manner like that.

It's so rare yet a blessing to find people who actually get you.

hello loca and welcome to the group.for the same reason like you said i don't have no contact to the outside world no more. i just totally buildet a wall around me.the only time i leave the house is to go to see one of my doc's or lawyers or if something is wrong with one of my kids.you are going to loved here it is a very supportive group and we understand where you coming from because we all in the same boat.

I have to be honest I was once also part of the population who fear mental illness... I always knew something was wrong with mew and I always kept it to myself... I was ashamed to tell my parents or friends of all the demons and confusion I was dealing with... Although it was only obvious that something was not right with me... I now believe that at least half of my life i been on an hypo-manic episode.. so now it is so hard for people to understand that I hurt inside.. My family and friends love my "manic episodes" cus i am the life of the party yet they only share the laughs and the "fun" they don't share my pain...

Thanks all for your comments... It feels so good to be able to open up... ugh!! thank you, thank you, thank you... I wanna hug everybody...

Yayy hugs!

Welcome!! The stigma sucks! We have to deal with it though, so I guess we have to toughen up. You only have to tell the people you want to tell. You don't have to tell everyone. Your family and friends probably fear bipolar for some reason and they don't want to believe that you are bipolar. They will have to come face the light someday though. All you can say is that you are. If they don't believe you are, then it is what it is. Maybe in time they will come around. You will feel supported here. We love you and will do anything to help you out in whatever it may be. I'm happy you have joined.