Bipolar Type II Support Group

...I just feel like nobody really gets me. I just read an e-mail from my mom to a psychiatrist begging for help because it was "impossible to be around me" and that I was sad because of my boyfriend or something. It was just kind of hilarious to read (even though technically I should not be breaching privacy, but whatever). It was an e-mail from a while ago (when I had the breakdown that caused me to tear a chunk of skin out of my arm). I also like how of all the things that could have "triggered" it, she chose my boyfriend (yes, I'd been having issues, but nothing bad), even though my dad basically yelled at me and told me to stop being so "angry" after I told him for the first time about how I used to be suicidal. That's what triggered it. But I guess the "boyfriend" thing was easier to believe because it's something she can relate to? I don't know. It's also funny explaining depression to my boyfriend. He just doesn't understand how you can be sad and angry for no reason. I hope he never has to find out what that's like. Sorry about the rant. I'm just super super frustrated by the people around me, and quite frankly, I don't really trust that many people anymore, especially not my family.

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I've often been in the same boat... In the beginning I found adjusting to the diagnosis and the medication just as difficult as defending myself and my illness to people around me. What happened to me though, is that after hearing so many times that I couldn't be sick, that it was lifestyle, and other factors etc. I too started believing it, causing me to get off my meds. This was the worst thing I could have ever done. Of course life can trigger episodes, but trust your pdoc and diagnosis it is the quickest way to stability.

Good luck and take care; my thoughts are with you.

I'm sorry you feel like you can't trust your family. It's hard to get people to understand any medical condition especially mental health. My personal experience with family is they are in denial because there is nothing they can do to help. My dad is so deep in denial he feels like I'd be "normal" if I went off all of my meds. It may not be that you can't trust them, but explaining the condition more. If not, don't let the worrying about it add more stress to your life.

Awwww, try not to be hard on yourself, it's the illness and we can't control it. The just don't understand what you are going through. Do you take medications? If you do, you could probably use a tweak or change in medications. You shouldn't be ripping skin out of your arm. Maybe you could print out some information and give it to your family to read so they can at least try to understand. I hope you feel better!! Hugs

I just wanted to say that I am sorry the people around you are just not getting it. I like the idea of printing off some inforamtion and giving it to them. Would they be willing to talk to your pdoc with you? Sometimes I think dealing with cancer or diabeties or the like would be easier than dealing with a mental illness. At least people would understand it better. Big hugs to you!! I hope things gets better for you.

Connie

my family is not supportive of my bipolar disorder so i'm pretty much on my own.. i printed off information about bipolar and gave it to my dad to read.. i think it helped explain some questions he might have had or something.

my dad is the same way.. when i told him i was suicidal, he didnt do anything... he said i was just "overdramatic" and "looking for attention"

just hang in there

Post edited by: sarahnicole7, at: 05/18/2010 08:10 AM

I hear ya-my family has never been supportive if anything they use it to hurt me with or use against me. They chuckle behing me back and whisper and roll their eyes. They are very unhealthy i know that today and probable suffer too but just deal with it by drinking alcoholiclly. Anyways, i wish you luck with your situation. I have found i have had to find the support i need outside my family and i have gotten it. It has made me sad that it is that way. But sometimes that is just how it is. But it has definately made me stronger. Good luck you always have friends

here and if you keep reaching out you will find more support. hugs-Julie

Thanks, guys. It's just funny because whenever I tell them what I'm going through they're like, "That's not what you're like. You don't have these symptoms." I love them to death, but how would they know my symptoms?

You know what guys? I think this is a common ground that many of us can identify with....a nonsupportive family. My parents refuse to acknowledge the fact that I have bipolar disorder and in fact they are embarrassed by it. My mother suffered for years and still suffers because she is encouraged not to seek help. She has bp I and is not on medication. This caused my brother and I to suffer most of our childhood. The difference between us is that I sought help for my illness and I acknowledged that something was wrong so that I could stop the cycle of abuse before it extended to my son and daughter. I refused to raise them in the unhealthy emotional environment that I was raised in. I wanted to stop the cycle. The difference between us and our ignorant families is that we want to "rise above the wreckage" and make positive changes so that we stop the cycle. This is to be commended. If our families continue to live in ignorance and embarrassment then that is their problem. We have to focus on positive changes so that we can make a difference for our future and a happier circumstance for our children. It is so important bc emotional scars are left far longer than physical ones. I know bc my childhood left permanent scars on me that I struggle with on a daily basis. It would have been easier if my mom hit me bc at least the bruises would fade. All the times she threatened suicide and stayed behind a locked door not eating for days while my brother and I struggled to find food to eat worrying about whether she was alive or not left lasting scars. The worst was my grandfather knocking on the front door with a bag of groceries and her refusing to answer the door. Also, times she would put us in the car and drive staring straight ahead; not answering and accelerate the car threatening to wreck and kill us all with a smile curled on her lips. I have many more but I'll get off my soapbox. All I know is I have to be healthy for my sweet children bc I couldn't imagine putting them through that. It's easy to get pregnant but it's harder to be a parent. I am here for all of you. PM me anytime! Love and hugs!! Sorry for the long rant....

They always assume they know more than you or your Pdoc. My wife thought I tried to Od on purpose for attention. But she was wrong.

Ron