Bipolar Support Group

I'm struggling with the labels...people saying I'm weird, crazy, bipolar...well I am bipolar but hearing people calling me stings! I just can't seem to get past the looks, people avoiding me because of things they have heard about. The meds have helped with the moods but people aren't even seeing the differences or just won't accept me only my past. Does it get easier with time? Is it because I desire to not be bipolar so I try so hard that I look even weirder. I have been used as if people like me and the laughed at and ridiculed as crazy and dumb.

How do you guys cope? I live in a small city and everyone knows each other...no escape?

Lonely... I'm sorry you are struggling right now. I used to feel like you all the time, now it's actually quite rare- I've finally reached a level of acceptance that has removed the shame. One thing very important people involved in my healing reminded me of is--- I HAVE bipolar disorder... I'm not BIPOLAR... Semantics... Perhaps, but there is a difference. I am so much more than a diagnosis- so are you. Not everyone will understand... My husbands first words afte my diagnosis- "bipolar people shoot people!". Thank God we have moved a signaficant distance away from that belief. Your focus, in my opinion, needs to be you- taking your medicine, seeing your docs... And slowly educating the people arou d you- which requires educating yourself at the same time. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder- chemical imbalance which is treatable- not easy!! I know!!!! But your brain is an organ that can get sick too. Small town factor has to be especially difficult- all you can do is take care of yourself, and in time peoples perspectives (some of them) slowly change. We r here to support you and remind u that u r not alone- be easy on yourself and I wish you the best with your challenges...

A lot of people said to me that I used to be "crazy". I've never told them about my complications with bipolar. I've mad some awful mistakes in that past, and have given myself a bad name. You cannot over identify with bipolar. People don't need to know about it.. just give them time to realize that you have changed and are progressing. I don't go up to people that I meet or know and say, "hi I'm becca, and I'm bipolar". That would be really silly if everyone with any kind of disease did that. People that don't have this condition generally don't understand what happens with us that do. We get it, they don't. Unless they are extremely close to me, I don't even bother trying to explain. I just keep moving on, and try to keep myself healthy and balanced.

There's one thing I learned early on: If you feel shame or act like you feel shame, people will assume that you have something to feel shameful about. It might not be something you're doing on purpose, but people pick up on it pretty quickly. I really do find the whole "people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind" saying to be particularly true. Good people value honesty and sincerity, and how you treat yourself and look at yourself matters.

i did not enough know what bipolar was until, had a pdoc said you are bipolar, here is a med for it, it started as a depression, with prozac, then ended with ptsd, i lived with all of it for years, when i go back to town where i grew up, they thought i was a drunk, bipolar,ptsd, depression never comes up.

Post edited by: lken, at: 02/15/2012 06:37 AM

I am very careful who I tell. I also live in a very small town, and no body knows. Oh, they know I'm a black sheep, but I am not a people person, so I don't care that I don't have any friends in town. I ahve always been "different" and i always will be. It is difficult to come to terms with that, but someday I'll feel okay in my own skin.

It's a perspective thing I believe. If someone was to say those things to me today, I'd just say "I know". But take me back a couple of years, I'd have been in tears the second they turned their back. When someone calls me bipolar I take that chance to educate them on it, they are usually surprised by the truth of it. The thing is that my perspective has changed. Because of my acceptance, others accept it too. I'm also a loner. For some reason I'm outcasted by most. Other outcasts accept me, but they're into things I am not anymore so no friends for me. I too am from a small town and they can be unforgiving at times. But I agree that as time goes by that things will change for you after your changes sink in with them. Wishing you well on your journey!

Thank you for your hope! I am at the point of tears and just hurt for being an outcast, At ome point even if the guys liked me I was so stupid, they would use me and never speak to me again. I guess I need to educate myself mire on the disease so I can build confident and not be ashamed. Yes I am a loner but I don't have to walk around ashamed. I guess me holding my head down in shame gives people more ammo. Thanks again

Skullhappy- You are right, I am different and I have always been that way. My phone doesnt ring with friends outings...people have made comments about me being bipolar even though they don't know for sure. It's amazing how people will be mean at any opportunity?

Iamatourist

Your right...I have to get past others and get into getting myself better. I have done things in the past that I can't take back and I need to stop trying and apologizing because I seem like a obsessive stalker. I need to work on me and they will see difference, if not life goes on!