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QuietFantasy Posts: 26
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I have been having the same question running through my mind: should I tell them? Aside from the doctors, only my fiance and his mother know I am bipolar. Every time I talk to my family I contemplate telling them I am bipolar. The words run in my head like they are on a treadmill, but I am too afraid to tell them. In fact, if it wasn't for my dramatically better mood, my mother-in-law (whom I live with) would have even known, what was going on( <--- my fault for thinking I could hide this disorder from a psychologist lol) What do I do? Should I tell them? My tdoc,says its okay if I don't, my fiance says its really no ones business, my mother-in-law is just happy I'm okay, but I feel this tiny guilt when my family asks how things are going and I don't tell them why I'm doing so much better. ugh, sorry if I am rambling. anti-depressant has kicked me into hypo-mania for a med-twik next week. Mood stabilizer here I come.   okay, back on topic. Who knows that you are bipolar? Does everyone or only a select few know? Were you afraid to tell people? did they take it well? Post edited by: QuietFantasy, at: 05/04/2011 05:55 PM Bipolar 1~mixed, rapid cycling (recently diagnosed)
Meds:
Lithium
Abilify
"I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams"~Owl City
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sarahtroy Posts: 12131
Group Leader
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I tell people on a need-to-know basis. My neurologist needed to know because she prescribes other meds that cross the blood-brain barrier. My apartment manager needed to know something about the nature of my disability because he provided accommodations under the ADA of 1990, and I chose to tell him it was bipolar disorder. My pharmacist pretty much had it figured out, but since I ask questions about meds for bipolar disorder, I told her. And so on. The reaction of this group of people has been very professional and, in some cases, very warm and understanding. I also share my diagnosis with very close friends if they themselves have depression or some other mental health diagnosis that they have shared with me. When I've shared in these cases, I've received uniformly positive results, with increased feelings of closeness with these friends. I have shared my diagnosis with all of my family members. The responses have ranged from indifference to those family members who take an interest in learning more about bipolar disorder. I simply haven't had any dramatic or negative responses to what I've shared. The way I share is to say something very simple and brief (no more than 3 sentences)in a matter-of-fact manner. And then to listen for the questions that will come up. I recommend that if and when you make decisions about telling people that you are bipolar, that you do not make those decisions or carry them out when you are hypo-manic or manic. No matter who you chose to share your bipolar disorder with in your lifetime and how, I'm sure that you will do the best job for you. Remember that this is your decision, and your decision alone. Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 05/04/2011 07:49 PM Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.
Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.
"Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin
My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. |
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bendback Posts: 546
Member
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A lot of people know I am unfortunately mainly because last time I was manic I was around a lot of people that did not know what was going on which case neither did I. I usually do not tell people that do not already know. Note: I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist and my advice and opinion should be regarded as such. |
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fragilexbroken Posts: 3891
Senior Member
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I try not to make a big deal over it. I finally stopped dancing around the subject with my manager at work and he was very understanding. Actually, most of the guys I work with knew before my manager because we have much more interaction. They're all pretty chill about it. The adults in my family know because we're pretty tight. My closest friends know, as well, because it feels like a lie by omission to avoid talking about something that can sometimes be such a big part of my life. I don't announce it upon meeting people, by any means, but once I'm relatively comfortable if it comes up I mention it. "If you are flammable and have legs you are never blocking a fire exit." - Mitch Hedberg
"A pill to make you numb
A pill to make you dumb
A pill to make you anybody else
But all the drugs in this world
Won't save her from herself"
-- Marilyn Manson "Coma White"
Strattera 100mg
alprazolam 1mg PRN
Playing this treatment game since January 2003. |
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aManicMind
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Only my immediate family knows and two of my closest friends, they all know but truth is they are useless for support anyway. I struggled for the longest time with telling my employer and after much thought and discussions with many people both professional and personal I decided against that also. One thing that I keep thinking anytime I am on the fence to tell someone is "Once its out, its out" the second you you tell someone you are forever Bipolar in their eyes so my thought is I better be ok knowing that, usually when I think of this I dont tell anyone. |
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Joy75 Posts: 15646
Group Leader
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Tell only people you feel comfortable telling. My whole family knows as well as friends and co-workers. That is because I am comfortable talking about it though and I want people to understand it better. If you don't feel comfortable telling them then don't. It's really a personal choice. I hope you can get to a choice that you are comfortable with. We are here to support you. 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. Its a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. Carrie Fisher |
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eclectic Posts: 124
Member
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Well, I don't scream it from the rooftops, but I'm not shy about telling either. It's one of those things you need to know if we are going to be close, or if we need to work closely: fair warning and all that. But this is how I feel, and it applies to my case. It's not better or worse than your option. For me, it's not a very big deal. I just tell it like it is, with calm and a matter of fact tone,and don't get defensive. Many people don't really get it, so I tell them they can ask me questions, and I'll be OK answering them. That way I help a bit educating them, and they realize I'm the same girl I was before this came up. It's just... one day, I was crying, I was swamped with problems, and decided I was done making up even more, and refusing help. Since then, I just try not to complicate my life; I am bipolar, I'm one of those serious cases, I will very probably need help at some point. I'm one of those cases that show. I've had to take medical leaves because I'm switching meds, I've had crashes after insomnia bouts, I've needed to cry on someone's shoulder, and for someone to hold me back when I'm being stupid. So all my friends know, and many of them have helped me, taken me home, consoled me, supported me, and so on, and I have never regretted telling them. Everyone's different. I know that my life's better with them knowing. I told them, but I did it for myself. So choose your own path, and do it thinking of yourself, of your own welfare. Big hugs, and know we'll all be here cheering you on and supporting you, no matter what. Bipolar type II, treatment resistant, insomniac
300 mg Lamictal
300 mg Welbutrin
300 mg lithium
75 mg pregabalin
75 mg eutirox
3 mg eszopliclone
clonazepam as nedded
--------------------------------------------
"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul." |
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QuietFantasy Posts: 26
Member
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thanks everyone. I think I'm okay with the few people who already know. They are the ones I spend the most time around, and they are my support system. I don't spend a lot of time with my family or friends, so I think telling them would be sorta pointless. Bipolar 1~mixed, rapid cycling (recently diagnosed)
Meds:
Lithium
Abilify
"I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams"~Owl City |
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Elmstreet007 Posts: 96
Member
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I've told many people that I'm Bipolar (usually ones I see face-to-face), and it never gets a strong reaction. Most people (that don't know you that well)don't really care. My Dad always told me that half the people don't care about your problems and the other half are glad you got them. My experience is once people are informed of your condition, they'll be more understanding of you if they're around you when you're having an episode. So if you've covered the people you can't avoid seeing in a day you're good to go. bteele1@nc.rr.com
Bipolar Type I
Lithium 1200mg
Burspar 30mg
Geodon 40mg |
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Loobiloo
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aManicMind: Tell only people you feel comfortable with. You do know what is right for you yourself. QuietFantasy: Oh yes, i do know something about family and some friends not being supportive at all. Elmstreet007: This is soooo true what your father told you!!!OMG...it's sad but it's sooo true... half the people don't care about your problems and the other half are glad you got them. |
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