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Bipolar Forums › General & Support › we ARE NOT bipolar...

02/10/2011 12:33 PM

we ARE NOT bipolar...

notmyillness

Posts: 253
Member

I notice a lot of people say "so-and-so IS bipolar", or "i'm bipolar"...

But the thing is, we AREN'T our disorder. We HAVE a disorder. It's something we suffer from. A patient who has kidney disease doesn't say "I'm kidney disease", instead they say "i have kidney disease"....

We should all try not to say that we ARE bipolar, and try to politely correct people when they say we are, too.

That's why I chose my handle: not my illness. Cuz I'm not. I have it, as sucky as it is.

Smile

Not trying to come down on anyone or be negative, just trying to fight stigma.

02/10/2011 12:42 PM Top

Amyshizzle

Posts: 243
Member

I totally understand what you mean. I find myself saying "I'm bipolar." But then I think to myself, I am not bipolar I have bipolar disorder! Sometimes I do say I have bipolar disorder instead though. I think it just is what pops into my head at the time.

Diagnosed with Bipolar I.
Abilify 5mg
Topamax 50mg
Trileptal at bedtime 600mg

Previous discussions I participated in:
confused
Depressed & isolating myself-waiting to feel happy
Life.

02/10/2011 01:09 PM Top

notreally

Posts: 407
Member

One of my first diary entries is about just this subject. I totally agree. I have bipolar. I am not Bipolar. It doesn't define me in any way. It is a small thing, but it is important to me in reminding myself I control this disease and not vice versa

Every person experiences this disorder differently. My opinions are based on my own experience and experiences shared with me. I am not a professional and should never be mistaken for one.

Previous discussions I participated in:
surprising news.
Honesty FAIL
how do you know?

02/10/2011 01:19 PM Top
mem4809	I feel that it controls me a lot but I have not been very stable since diagnosed. I hope to get to where you are someday soon.

02/10/2011 01:41 PM Top
JoeStubbs	Well Said! I have Bipolar but it does not define me I define it.

02/10/2011 07:33 PM Top

Eric17

Posts: 358
Member

Great post Notmyillness... Thanks.

Eric

Eric
Bipolar Affective Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, OCD
Currently (03/17/2011): Lithium, Temazepam, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Multi-vitamin, Fish Oil
Good Sleep Hygiene/Near Vegan/Exercise/Working to Limit Stress
This illness will not take from me again without a fight!
* "Doubt everything; find your own light" Siddartha Guatama Buddha

Previous discussions I participated in:
how much?
Shaking...But In A Good Way
Dealing with people

02/10/2011 08:39 PM Top

womanC

Posts: 91
Member

I like saying I have bipolar disease allot better than saying I have mental illness! lol Yikes, that makes people want to run like the wind or sit and stare at you. I still don't even like to say mental anything.

Laura
Bipolar II
Carbatrol
Prozac

Previous discussions I participated in:
Isn't this the truth
Lost the battle
what are you doing about health insurance

02/10/2011 08:50 PM Top

iQuill

Posts: 31
Member

You are ABSOLUTELY correct! My daughter was born with Down Syndrome and it absolutely BOILS my blood when people say she IS Down Syndrome and I feel the same way about bipolar. We are PEOPLE and bipolar is an adjective describing a type of illness, not a type of person, just like Down Syndrome describes a genetic disorder, NOT a type of person. Great post, dude! Wink

Bipolar II and/or mixed - still sort of ironing that out.

Abilify
Prozac

Previous discussions I participated in:
scared of what I might become
Newly diagnosed
How do you explain bipolar?

02/11/2011 06:57 PM Top

Joy75

Posts: 15645
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

I totally agree. I see a lot of people saying I am bipolar, which we aren't, we are people that have bipolar. There is a difference. People don't say they are cancer. I don't let bipolar define me. I have it, I'm not it.

Joy, 37 years old

Blog:

http://www.joylepley.blogspot.com

Email:

simplyjoyful75@gmail.com

Bipolar type 2 and ADD

300mg Wellbutrin
200mg Lamictal
40mg Viibryd
15mg Abilify

I AM NEITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. I AM HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS YOU ARE. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. WHAT I SAY IS PURELY MY OPINION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.

Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. – Carrie Fisher

Previous discussions I participated in:
surprising news.
confused
Need Help

02/12/2011 06:42 PM Top
TeriNY	Great post... I find myself saying I'm bipolar and not I think I will really concentrate on saying I have bipolar disorder. I have to stop letting it define me!
	Reply

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Bipolar › Bipolar Forums › General & Support › we ARE NOT bipolar...

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