Bipolar Type II Support Group

my psychiatrist told me last week to not tell anyone about diagnoses and stuff. (after treating me for two years now...) because ''there are a lot of ignorant people out there who judge''

which is true.. but aren't we supposed to not judge others and not let it bother us if others judge us? and aren't we supposed to talk about our feelings. but i understand partly where she is coming from about not just telling random people on the street. but HER WORDS..

"I wouldnt even tell your friends or talk to your friends about stuff like this...cause they just wont understand"

well all im thinking is ... what??! first of all, its not like im new to this.. so obviously i've already talked to my friends about it. (some of them) and most of them know about my sleep problems. idk im just a pretty open person about my life and if someone doenst like me for that then that's their problem, not mine.

i guess i was just confused at why she would tell me that? and like what is so horrible about it anyways. i dont mind telling people. the only thing that worries me is people like not hiring me because of it or something (EVEN though i know its illegal, they still judge ya know naturally)

just thought it was weird cause im one of those ppl that need to talk to ppl about my problems. and everyone knows bottling things up is not healthy.

anyone run into this before? / what do you think?

I have discussed this with my pdoc/therapist and we sort of mutually agree that I should only tell those close to me--who aren't gossipers. And that I should provide them with education about it so that they understand where I am coming from. I only tell people if I think it is necessary. Most people know that I suffer from Depression as that has gone on since I was ten, but there is something about the BP stigma that makes me cautious. I don't think it is up to your therapist to decide, unless something you said to someone came back to hurt you. I would confront her about it again.

Janna

My husband knows and so do my 2 best friends. Hubby found it necessary to tell his father for whatever reason but whatever. My brother knows as well. The one person I won't tell is my mother. She's the most judgemental person I know and she holds a grudge. Besides, she turns everything into the 'poor me' with her friends. 'Poor me, look at what I'm going through. My daughter is broken'. I don't need her crap so it's much easier this way.

I think it's all in who you feel comfortable telling in my opinion. I don't hide my illness. I share it if it comes up and I try to educate about mental illnesses when I get the chance. People don't know enough about the subject, so they do judge and some tend to run away from you, but I think it's totally up to you and who you feel comfortable telling.

Sarah,

Wow, that's a tough one for me. There's a part of me that says that's damn righteous! I've been on the discriminatory end of disclosure also. I would listen to what your heart tells you about that person. If they are not people that are in your heart they have no reason to be given the information. In the end, it's whatever YOU are comfortable with.

heather

thanks for everyones opinions

I will let others know I have depression and bp, but I think it is easier to deal with when it is not someone that is close. I want those I am close to to accept me. When I had alcoholics in my life and went to Al-Anon I shared about that and now that I am in an aggressive mental health program I share about that with friends and family.

What I learned in Al-Anon was to decide for myself who I felt safe sharing certain information with. I do think we are as sick as our secrets so I tend to talk with family and friends.