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This doesn't mean you are not strong...I have found sharing the facts about this disease helps others who have fears about it. You wouldn't be afraid to tell someone you have diabetes...same difference

I have diabetes as well, I had to accept that diagnosis too, my younger brother has gratefully accepted the diagnosis of MS, a disease that will one day cripple him to the point he will be in a wheelchair, he did so because it finally gave him answers, it's taken his short term memory, it's taking his eye sight, it's made him start having to give himself shots everyday, and have to take medications for the rest of his life, but like he said, it finally gave him answers and took a 1,000 pound weight off his shoulders.

We do not become less than human because of our illness, we do not become the illness, we become people who have a illness, we are not the label, the label just is, whether or not you choose to tell friends is your choice, you don't have too, but like Norma said true friends will not care, they will understand and offer support for you, and can be a valuable tool in your treatment, as they can see alot of times things that are going on with you that you might not be able to see.

Telling your family though is important as you will need them as a support system, some folks are not lucky enough to have a family that will be there for them.. Medications and therapy are a important part of our treatment. If we do them honestly and follow them religiously, there is no reason we can't have a normal life, we might have a few more challenges than most, but we can and are as productive and happy as everyone else. Meds are not a cure all, but they do make life much easier to deal with, moodswings more controllable, like Norma I too share the information that I have bipolar, as it helps to educate those around me, I've gotten so good over the years at hiding, no one can generally tell what is going on inside, till my mask slips and things show that don't normally, because they don't know and don't understand at the time what a mental illness is all about most of them freak, once I am able to explain, then they are there with understanding for me, even my family didn't know till I could no longer hide it over a suicide attempt. and in all honesty I am glad, there is no more pretending to be the strong one, there is no more looking like the cold hearted bitch who isn't effected by things label. I get enough of that, by being the person who doesn't panic in a crisis.. they don't see me fall apart later.

Accept you are who you are, and you are not the label, you are not going to be walking around with a flashing neon sign above your head saying run, mentally disturbed person coming. Those that don't understand the challenge you face are not worth your time, they don't know the opportunity they are missing to get to know a wonderful person.

Dreux

Welcome. I am glad you have found us. There are alot of people here who have bipolar, and those who love them.

I have bipolar, and was put on meds, a year ago. It took me along time to accept that I was severe, and needed help. I was afraid of the same things, you are. I was able to tell my mom, and I told my grandma, just recently.

I have a few friends who have bipolar, and have been on meds along time, that, I keep in touch with, that, I can talk to. That really helps, alot.

It's really important, that if you have bipolar, to get on meds, and get in therapy as soon as you can, or it will just get worse.

Now, that, I have been on meds, my life has improves so much. I wondered why, I suffered so long. I take meds, so, I can function in life productively. There are many successful people in this world who have bipolar.

Hang out , vent, share, or ask questions. We are here for you.

Maybe this isn't even the right place to bring this in, so someone redirect me if need be. Why is it that you guys tell ANYBODY????? I can see telling those in your immediate family, hell, they have to live with you. lol

If I get a pimple on my butt I don't spread the news!

I am not ashamed of being bipolar, but neither do I feel the need to broadcast it. I guess I live by the, "don't ask don't tell", or maybe the, "on a need to know only", laws. The ones in my life who need to know, find out about my, stuff, about as soon as I do. So who is left to tell??

Love

Gloria

I don't live with blood family, I live with the hubby, but I have told the others about it cause A: they have to deal with me on a regular basis, and B: they need to know it is lurking in the family tree, as my parents were not very forth coming with medical history, I didn't know there was diabetes in the family till after I had been diagnosed. Some where in the skeletons hanging in the family closet, there is someone with Hidradenitis, no one has copped to that one yet.

Telling or not telling is up to each person, as long as they are not ashamed, there is nothing wrong in choosing not to tell. It's when we hide and are ashamed the trouble starts, my hidradenitis is a disease that disfigures the body, and a lot of people are so ashamed of their bodies, they don't even tell their doctors, make their mates turn out the lights to be intimate, and will not go sleeveless or wear bathing suits because they fear someone seeing them.