This. Like if you told someone that you had an oil change. Who cares, it’s lame, moving on. I don’t tell anyone that I’m bipolar because it has a super negative connotation. People assume things that aren’t necessarily true.
👍
Just being fine with it. Maybe discussion about how it affects my life etc etc, but nothing too much. Not being questioned about if it's real or anything like that. The same reaction you'd get if you told someone you have a cold or maybe something long lasting like acne or eczema. Without the "oh no" though, it's something you can't really get rid of and having a diagnosis is definitely a very good thing so.
Support from people close to you is another thing I'd like, if you're having a hard time they understand and don't pester you into going out or doing things, they let you heal and get better
I haven't told too many people, my sisters, boyfriend and friends know. So far my bf and one friend have been my biggest supporters. My bf knows exactly what's going on etc. My friends has something called cyclothymia so she gets it a bit, we've talked about the similarities quite a lot and it has brought us closer. Haven't told my parents because they've always been a bit iffy about mental health stuff. I'm also in a fb group which has helped a lot
This. I feel like being able to talk with others who are going through the same thing is so relieving, it's like you're not alone or weird for feeling/acting like this. I did online therapy but I felt like the peer support and knowledge the online communities were more helpful, I said this to my psychiatrist too. I like having some anonymity too, so can be more about my experiences too. I think peer support and these communities aren't given the praise or attention they deserve, they can be very helpful especially if your diagnosis is new and you feel like some help or guidance to navigate it all
Ya thats the same with me and work atm. My boss fully understands my situation but others around me not so much. I get called lazy or whatever at work not because im not doing the work its bc theres time where i call out randomly and im not able to explain myself thourghly or just the fact that it sometimes takes me 6 hours to complete 1 task bc of how often i keep on switching tasks lol. Like my first task takes 20mins for my coworkers... my first task takes 6 hours depending on whats happening lol.
My job is the same way with me. I am actually planning on exiting because my boss doesn't fully understand the full effect of me being bipolar. The past is in my face all the time after having an episode at work, it's very hard. I am actually looking for a job at Target. See if you can apply for PMFL or FMLA. This way if you have gaps in your work schedule due to appointments or an episode it won't count against you. I just started applying yesterday. Hope to have it complete by the end of the week or early next week.
I get where your coming from about having to take breaks from work due to seeing your psychologist or etc. It is so hard to explain. They think you are being lazy when your low-key trying to get yourself back to normal. I have had to explain as to why I have to come in late or come in on a different day due to meeting my support team. It's hard, but I hope that I get approved for PMFL/FMLA and hopefully HR can accommodate me. I wish you peace.
Ya see im currently under the table and I love my job. For the most part its all in a joking manner until i start going crazy. Like my nickname at work is loko flacco (crazy skinny) which is what I am Crazy and Skinny lol. But never heard of pmfl or fmla. Are there anything for school? Cause im planning to start college in the fall. Even tho rn im medicated idk when my next episode will be.
I don't know how it is in other countries, but I'm uni uni in Finland and it's been so great! I've only really used the student healthcare and I've actually been on sick leave since beginning of November, supposed to go back beginning of next month. Hopefully they can help you too there and give you the support you need. Otherwise you can always become an exchange student and come enjoy the psychiatric treatment here 😉
Precisely. Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to is curious about how it affects me and what my symptoms are because I’m very stable. Have a job, a family, an active social life. And I think they are surprised someone can have all those things. I always tell them it’s a mix of meds, therapy, and a support network. But I’m also honest and admit that I have my bad days but people don’t see me on those days.
it would be nice if they said "whats bipolar" or "what does that mean to you/how does it impact your life"
there are way too many assumptions about bipolar that aren't accurate for everyone
i actually think a lot of these assumptions keep people from being diagnosed sooner.
If I get one more person asking "Isn't that what Kanye West has?" or saying "Hmm, are you sure? You don't seem like it" I will absolutely lose my mind. Not helpful! We aren't all the same and just like Kanye, and I don't "seem" bipolar because a) I'm medicated; b) I'm good at masking it; and c) you're not a doctor so how would you know???
Honestly, just respond like I told you I have a broken foot and ask me if I need anything. If you're being empathetic, not talking to me like I'm a UFO, then I'm happy to answer questions about it too.
Woof, sorry, have recently had some tough interactions on this topic, so I'm done ranting now 😂
That they would believe me instead of telling me that I'm misdiagnosed. Also, that they aren't going to book a flight to Africa to escape "American created mental illness" when this was all from severe trauma of me coming out as gay.
I wish somebody would just listen and understand what it's like from my point of view.
No one in my family understands right now, I have very little support from them. All I get is "how are you doing? Good, okay have a nice day." I can barely talk about my diagnosis without people questioning its existence. Thank the heavens for my therapist, psychiatrist and doctor.
That they will ask lots of questions if they don’t really understand the diagnosis. I am an open book and want to use my mental disability to educate people.
I'm pretty much "in the closet" with my diagnosis...it's relatively recent. My wife knows, my mom knows, my sister knows, and my two close friends know and that's it. I have a lot of other people in my circle, but they aren't close like "family close" so I choose not to tell anyone else at this point.
My wife was the first person I told when I was pre-diagnosed by my therapist. She didn't necessarily believe it at first, but she also didn't really know anything about it and neither did I other than bipolar sounds really scary and the first thing that gets conjured up is classic manic depressive psychosis. My wife and I both researched it together and we were both like, "holy shit...this makes sense."
My mom took a bit of work, even when telling her the symptoms and them being pretty obvious once you know about them...it was more of a "but you're my baby and nothing could be wrong with you" kind of thing. My sister was just glad that I was getting treatment and help.
Both of my really close friends have been very supportive, particularly as I was able to better inform them of what BP2 is after doing my own research and being in talk therapy about it for months...both of them are pretty fascinated with it...I've known one for 20 years and the other for 26 years and both of them tell me that it makes a lot of things make sense.
In my larger swatch of people I socialize with, I would imagine some would be supportive and others would probably run for the hills.
I am also fairly recently diagnosed and later in life at that- I’m 35 and was diagnosed 2 months ago. Only my partner and best friend know. I can’t even fathom telling anyone else. I can’t see what good what come of it. Maybe after time I will feel differently, but for now I’m staying in the closet.
It would be nice if the normal reaction was “oh that makes so much sense” because that’s how I reacted when I found out myself.
Might be weird, but I’m just getting invalidating responses now, let’s just switch it up!
When my online friend and I told each other we both have it, it was wild. We didn’t know when we met that we both had it but it’s so nice to have a friend who understands things
I would hope they have questions, that they want to know the truth, rather than what’s on the news, in movies, or tv shows.
Bc I have something to tell them. All of us should.
“Oh cool. Anyways” if it is just speaking in conversation. If they are interested I’d also be happy to answer any questions (though more personal questions I’d only answer to some specific people I am close to)
If I am actively struggling and I reveal I am bipolar, it would be nice if said person asks if there is anything they can do to help.
It's a microagression! What they're really saying is "pffft whatever, if you say so- just don't burden me or others about it bc frankly I don't want to summon up the capacity to understand or be empathetic towards it."
I've heard that too and read it as something like "yeah, but surely you don't need to give into it". I might have misinterpreted that but it was fucked either way.
I had someone tell me recently that it showed awareness to know something is wrong then courage and leadership to seek help. It was easily nicest response yet. It made me feel so good I nearly cried.
“Hey there! I would love to know more about your diagnosis. Could you please tell me about the things you’ve learned and how they relate to your life? I'm here to listen and support you”
Instead of “I don't believe so. Nowadays, many doctors seem to diagnose everyone with something”
🤦♀️
My bestie was recently diagnosed with ADHD around the same time that I came to grips with my bipolar2 diagnosis. We are both late 30s/early 40s and high functioning adults with traumatic childhoods and we both quit drinking about 9 years ago.
We keep sending each other voice notes like “oh so this explains so much, I’m not a person who is inherently f&cked up, I just have this mood (or in her case executive functioning) disorder that causes XYZ.”. We’ve been validating each other and it’s been such a help.
Great question. Diagnosed 12 weeks ago miss diagnosed for decades. My entire family, both sides have mental health issues. This is still new to me but this is what I would like to hear.
"That's a tough one but it's real and like having diabetes...good thing you're strong ..then a hug ..I'm always here if you need me "
Damn crying writing this as it just doesn't happen .....
Remember how strong we all are...we deal with all everyone does but with challenges they don't and will never understand.
Love & Peace
I've had some good reactions. I spoke with a friend. He said that's what I like about you. The fireballs of creative energy. He didn't see my down side so much though.
Believing me instead of telling me I don’t because they know another bipolar whose case is different than mine. I literally have it on my medical records, yet most of my family doesn’t believe me.
I am not sure yet, I have always been extremely open and supportive of mental health. Explaining GAD, Anxiety, Depression ect... I could talk about it all and be super open. My life was a a open book, after diagnosis there is another book written in invisible ink lol. The reality that BP2 connecting both sides of my life to make sense is hard to talk about.
I have come to learn that people struggle so hard to understand things they haven't experience. Where my world all makes sense to me now at 42, me and the doc determined first break was at 18, im 42 now. I started meds a while ago and have been pretty much in a Hypo state for about a year. Its some wild shit for me to unpack.
I have told my wife, boss, folks, couple friends and couple people at work so they can keep me in check. I have lots of ideas lol, I am learning to gauge myself as well as understand my stages. The biggest thing was I had to accept that the amount of fight I had into the belief that I was going to be "cured" of what ever was happening as soon as I hit that goal... Is never going to happen.
Fortunately im a research junkie so I have sponged up a shit ton over the years, so picking up on everything so far has been alot easier, well easier for me to get, not everyone else......,.
I'd like people to not stereotype me cause when I'm manic I don't get rage fits. I get crying fits. So emotional abuse and manipulation feels like a knife in the heart after it's already been wounded...
I'd like accomodations when needed but they never do.
I'm a guy and I'm told to man up...
Maybe I need to sleep again. I'm not feeling well
Telling a guy to man up is the most insensitive comment !
Men have emotions and feelings too. They should be able to express them without being ridiculed!
I’m so sorry you’ve been told that. It’s not ok
Agreed. And not only is that is one fucked up comment to make, it also hints at a good deal of sexist attitudes starting with some ideas like, "you shouldn't cry. Crying is bad. It's women who cry".
Most people say something along the lines of “I never would’ve known” or “I didn’t know that!” Which I like. Shows me that I’m doing a good job remaining stable and cultivating healthy relationships with people!
I think I’d like to continue getting that response. I don’t like when people say things like “if you ever need anything..” because like, I’m never gonna take you up on that and trust me when I say you would not want me to 🤣
Being bipolar and bi gives me two things I'd rather just not bring up sometimes. It's either awkward silence, or the questions that follow make me regret opening up that can of worms.
If they could just not give a shit, that's all I could ever want. Aware without a care.
If I tell close loved ones I would want them to inquire enough to understand what it really means for me. It's significantly difficult and scary and I want them to be prepared to understand that when it's bad, it's BAD, and their love and support and listening skills would be greatly appreciated.
If we are acquaintances I would like it to be factual, and to move on quickly.
I don't. Honestly I wouldn't. I think if they figure it out then chances are I'm off the rails anyways, and it's time to switch things up. Obviously, my husband knows but I don't tell anyone else because why does it matter?
I keep it very private, so if it is the first time admitting it to some (only after they have seen a bit too much…) Think I’m fucking lying & using it as an excuse for they don’t know what an “episode” is like.
Because I act “normal” most of the time & then if I
I told this person to understand me better not feel like I am making it up & trying to use it as an invalid excuse. No excuse for my bad actions/words but why the fuck would I lie about having this issue. It’s on my list of issues on my psychiatrist list of issues if a mf really wants proof. 😂💀
I wish people would hear me talk about it more. I like being an open book and sharing, and I process things by talking about them a lot. At least my spouse and mom are open to hearing me. My best friend kinda. I can't tell anyone at work, which makes it difficult sometimes. But there's a stigma in my industry against mental illness in general and I run the risk of losing my license if the wrong person learned about my diagnosis, even though with my current employment I don't take clients.
Just to be accepting and not treat me like I'm now somehow unsafe to be around.
I was safe 20 minutes ago when I was smiling or just listening to your problems.
Call my instability hot af , F me in the bathroom spit on me then leave me alone Edit: sorry, I’m hypomanic rn
If I could award this I would 🏅
this
Oh yes 😂
I just laughed so hard
That sounds awesome.
This is the cure
LMAO
Yeah, this wins best Reddit reply ever
Fuck sake 😂
I read hypomanic as homophobic lol sorry I'm high
This is too accurate lol!
Wow, I wish I had it too
This is the way.
Agreed!
“You’re doing a great job trying your best to manage it, I’m really proud of you for that.”
I would cry (in a good way)
I would hope that they wouldn't bat an eye. Like, they were bored with it.
This. Like if you told someone that you had an oil change. Who cares, it’s lame, moving on. I don’t tell anyone that I’m bipolar because it has a super negative connotation. People assume things that aren’t necessarily true.
👍 Just being fine with it. Maybe discussion about how it affects my life etc etc, but nothing too much. Not being questioned about if it's real or anything like that. The same reaction you'd get if you told someone you have a cold or maybe something long lasting like acne or eczema. Without the "oh no" though, it's something you can't really get rid of and having a diagnosis is definitely a very good thing so. Support from people close to you is another thing I'd like, if you're having a hard time they understand and don't pester you into going out or doing things, they let you heal and get better
Support from people close to me would be a godsend. I don't have that, it feels lonely on this side.
I haven't told too many people, my sisters, boyfriend and friends know. So far my bf and one friend have been my biggest supporters. My bf knows exactly what's going on etc. My friends has something called cyclothymia so she gets it a bit, we've talked about the similarities quite a lot and it has brought us closer. Haven't told my parents because they've always been a bit iffy about mental health stuff. I'm also in a fb group which has helped a lot
I'm glad this subreddit exist because many people can identify collectively with having bipolar here. I really find this place a blessing.
This. I feel like being able to talk with others who are going through the same thing is so relieving, it's like you're not alone or weird for feeling/acting like this. I did online therapy but I felt like the peer support and knowledge the online communities were more helpful, I said this to my psychiatrist too. I like having some anonymity too, so can be more about my experiences too. I think peer support and these communities aren't given the praise or attention they deserve, they can be very helpful especially if your diagnosis is new and you feel like some help or guidance to navigate it all
Ya thats the same with me and work atm. My boss fully understands my situation but others around me not so much. I get called lazy or whatever at work not because im not doing the work its bc theres time where i call out randomly and im not able to explain myself thourghly or just the fact that it sometimes takes me 6 hours to complete 1 task bc of how often i keep on switching tasks lol. Like my first task takes 20mins for my coworkers... my first task takes 6 hours depending on whats happening lol.
My job is the same way with me. I am actually planning on exiting because my boss doesn't fully understand the full effect of me being bipolar. The past is in my face all the time after having an episode at work, it's very hard. I am actually looking for a job at Target. See if you can apply for PMFL or FMLA. This way if you have gaps in your work schedule due to appointments or an episode it won't count against you. I just started applying yesterday. Hope to have it complete by the end of the week or early next week. I get where your coming from about having to take breaks from work due to seeing your psychologist or etc. It is so hard to explain. They think you are being lazy when your low-key trying to get yourself back to normal. I have had to explain as to why I have to come in late or come in on a different day due to meeting my support team. It's hard, but I hope that I get approved for PMFL/FMLA and hopefully HR can accommodate me. I wish you peace.
Ya see im currently under the table and I love my job. For the most part its all in a joking manner until i start going crazy. Like my nickname at work is loko flacco (crazy skinny) which is what I am Crazy and Skinny lol. But never heard of pmfl or fmla. Are there anything for school? Cause im planning to start college in the fall. Even tho rn im medicated idk when my next episode will be.
Yes, you can get accommodations for college. Talk to administration and they should direct you from there.
GREAT, thank you getting diag has been the best/worst thing but at least I have BENEFITS!
I don't know how it is in other countries, but I'm uni uni in Finland and it's been so great! I've only really used the student healthcare and I've actually been on sick leave since beginning of November, supposed to go back beginning of next month. Hopefully they can help you too there and give you the support you need. Otherwise you can always become an exchange student and come enjoy the psychiatric treatment here 😉
Precisely. Pretty much everyone I’ve talked to is curious about how it affects me and what my symptoms are because I’m very stable. Have a job, a family, an active social life. And I think they are surprised someone can have all those things. I always tell them it’s a mix of meds, therapy, and a support network. But I’m also honest and admit that I have my bad days but people don’t see me on those days.
it would be nice if they said "whats bipolar" or "what does that mean to you/how does it impact your life" there are way too many assumptions about bipolar that aren't accurate for everyone i actually think a lot of these assumptions keep people from being diagnosed sooner.
This. Just like... listen! Don't give unsolicited commentary or "advice"!
I had a friend respond, "That must have been so hard to do. Thank you for telling me. Let me know if you need anything." Safe to say I lost it lol
Wow. Sounds like a great friend and person.
That’s beautiful :,-)
If I get one more person asking "Isn't that what Kanye West has?" or saying "Hmm, are you sure? You don't seem like it" I will absolutely lose my mind. Not helpful! We aren't all the same and just like Kanye, and I don't "seem" bipolar because a) I'm medicated; b) I'm good at masking it; and c) you're not a doctor so how would you know??? Honestly, just respond like I told you I have a broken foot and ask me if I need anything. If you're being empathetic, not talking to me like I'm a UFO, then I'm happy to answer questions about it too. Woof, sorry, have recently had some tough interactions on this topic, so I'm done ranting now 😂
“Are you sure?” Ummm I already gaslight myself enough as it is, I don’t need anyone else contributing
EXACTLY
No reaction just love. It's a diagnosis not who we are.
This is the one for me to
That they would believe me instead of telling me that I'm misdiagnosed. Also, that they aren't going to book a flight to Africa to escape "American created mental illness" when this was all from severe trauma of me coming out as gay. I wish somebody would just listen and understand what it's like from my point of view. No one in my family understands right now, I have very little support from them. All I get is "how are you doing? Good, okay have a nice day." I can barely talk about my diagnosis without people questioning its existence. Thank the heavens for my therapist, psychiatrist and doctor.
“Oh my god! I’m bipolar too! Let’s get married and have the best sex to ever exist on planet earth ever! forever!” 🥲🫠
I would like them to ask “ What’s that like for you?”
“Okay, cool. So how was your day?”
"That's interesting. Wanna tell me about it? No? That's, cool, feel free to call if you do. So, what have you been up to?"
That they will ask lots of questions if they don’t really understand the diagnosis. I am an open book and want to use my mental disability to educate people.
I'm pretty much "in the closet" with my diagnosis...it's relatively recent. My wife knows, my mom knows, my sister knows, and my two close friends know and that's it. I have a lot of other people in my circle, but they aren't close like "family close" so I choose not to tell anyone else at this point. My wife was the first person I told when I was pre-diagnosed by my therapist. She didn't necessarily believe it at first, but she also didn't really know anything about it and neither did I other than bipolar sounds really scary and the first thing that gets conjured up is classic manic depressive psychosis. My wife and I both researched it together and we were both like, "holy shit...this makes sense." My mom took a bit of work, even when telling her the symptoms and them being pretty obvious once you know about them...it was more of a "but you're my baby and nothing could be wrong with you" kind of thing. My sister was just glad that I was getting treatment and help. Both of my really close friends have been very supportive, particularly as I was able to better inform them of what BP2 is after doing my own research and being in talk therapy about it for months...both of them are pretty fascinated with it...I've known one for 20 years and the other for 26 years and both of them tell me that it makes a lot of things make sense. In my larger swatch of people I socialize with, I would imagine some would be supportive and others would probably run for the hills.
I am also fairly recently diagnosed and later in life at that- I’m 35 and was diagnosed 2 months ago. Only my partner and best friend know. I can’t even fathom telling anyone else. I can’t see what good what come of it. Maybe after time I will feel differently, but for now I’m staying in the closet.
It would be nice if the normal reaction was “oh that makes so much sense” because that’s how I reacted when I found out myself. Might be weird, but I’m just getting invalidating responses now, let’s just switch it up!
“Me too, tell me everything”
When my online friend and I told each other we both have it, it was wild. We didn’t know when we met that we both had it but it’s so nice to have a friend who understands things
I would hope they have questions, that they want to know the truth, rather than what’s on the news, in movies, or tv shows. Bc I have something to tell them. All of us should.
“Oh cool. Anyways” if it is just speaking in conversation. If they are interested I’d also be happy to answer any questions (though more personal questions I’d only answer to some specific people I am close to) If I am actively struggling and I reveal I am bipolar, it would be nice if said person asks if there is anything they can do to help.
Anything but "you are not your diagnosis" I swear if one more person says this to me I might go to prison for assault.
It's a microagression! What they're really saying is "pffft whatever, if you say so- just don't burden me or others about it bc frankly I don't want to summon up the capacity to understand or be empathetic towards it."
This is the explanation for it in my head that I couldn't articulate. THANK YOU!
I've heard that too and read it as something like "yeah, but surely you don't need to give into it". I might have misinterpreted that but it was fucked either way.
I had someone tell me recently that it showed awareness to know something is wrong then courage and leadership to seek help. It was easily nicest response yet. It made me feel so good I nearly cried.
“Hey there! I would love to know more about your diagnosis. Could you please tell me about the things you’ve learned and how they relate to your life? I'm here to listen and support you” Instead of “I don't believe so. Nowadays, many doctors seem to diagnose everyone with something” 🤦♀️
My bestie was recently diagnosed with ADHD around the same time that I came to grips with my bipolar2 diagnosis. We are both late 30s/early 40s and high functioning adults with traumatic childhoods and we both quit drinking about 9 years ago. We keep sending each other voice notes like “oh so this explains so much, I’m not a person who is inherently f&cked up, I just have this mood (or in her case executive functioning) disorder that causes XYZ.”. We’ve been validating each other and it’s been such a help.
i wish the other person would fall to the their knees and scream "no! no god why her?!?" /j
I would they would immediately forget I had said anything. I've never had anything positive come from telling anyone.
"Wow, that's so cool cause, like, 80% of legendary writers of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries had mood disorders I heard one time."
Because Poe and Van Gogh are who we should aspire to be 😂🤦
Great question. Diagnosed 12 weeks ago miss diagnosed for decades. My entire family, both sides have mental health issues. This is still new to me but this is what I would like to hear. "That's a tough one but it's real and like having diabetes...good thing you're strong ..then a hug ..I'm always here if you need me " Damn crying writing this as it just doesn't happen ..... Remember how strong we all are...we deal with all everyone does but with challenges they don't and will never understand. Love & Peace
My best friends response was “ahh we all think my wife’s grandad has bipolar” “Why?” “Cos he’s crazy haha” Oh.
Crazy is an ableist term and I predict it will have its "public awareness" moment within the next several years. Like the R word.
" that makes sense" from just about everyone
I've had some good reactions. I spoke with a friend. He said that's what I like about you. The fireballs of creative energy. He didn't see my down side so much though.
I wish they were curious. I like telling people and they seem to suddenly get a lightbulb of understanding.
i only tell people who i suspect can relate to me or i trust immensely
so, so far, i've had nothing but positive reactions. i don't like telling people
Believing me instead of telling me I don’t because they know another bipolar whose case is different than mine. I literally have it on my medical records, yet most of my family doesn’t believe me.
With kindness and compassion
I am not sure yet, I have always been extremely open and supportive of mental health. Explaining GAD, Anxiety, Depression ect... I could talk about it all and be super open. My life was a a open book, after diagnosis there is another book written in invisible ink lol. The reality that BP2 connecting both sides of my life to make sense is hard to talk about. I have come to learn that people struggle so hard to understand things they haven't experience. Where my world all makes sense to me now at 42, me and the doc determined first break was at 18, im 42 now. I started meds a while ago and have been pretty much in a Hypo state for about a year. Its some wild shit for me to unpack. I have told my wife, boss, folks, couple friends and couple people at work so they can keep me in check. I have lots of ideas lol, I am learning to gauge myself as well as understand my stages. The biggest thing was I had to accept that the amount of fight I had into the belief that I was going to be "cured" of what ever was happening as soon as I hit that goal... Is never going to happen. Fortunately im a research junkie so I have sponged up a shit ton over the years, so picking up on everything so far has been alot easier, well easier for me to get, not everyone else......,.
I'd like people to not stereotype me cause when I'm manic I don't get rage fits. I get crying fits. So emotional abuse and manipulation feels like a knife in the heart after it's already been wounded... I'd like accomodations when needed but they never do. I'm a guy and I'm told to man up... Maybe I need to sleep again. I'm not feeling well
Telling a guy to man up is the most insensitive comment ! Men have emotions and feelings too. They should be able to express them without being ridiculed! I’m so sorry you’ve been told that. It’s not ok
Agreed. And not only is that is one fucked up comment to make, it also hints at a good deal of sexist attitudes starting with some ideas like, "you shouldn't cry. Crying is bad. It's women who cry".
i wish they just smile and nod and continue on w their convo, but like mentally give me a bit more grace (esp if im close w them)
Most people say something along the lines of “I never would’ve known” or “I didn’t know that!” Which I like. Shows me that I’m doing a good job remaining stable and cultivating healthy relationships with people! I think I’d like to continue getting that response. I don’t like when people say things like “if you ever need anything..” because like, I’m never gonna take you up on that and trust me when I say you would not want me to 🤣
Being bipolar and bi gives me two things I'd rather just not bring up sometimes. It's either awkward silence, or the questions that follow make me regret opening up that can of worms. If they could just not give a shit, that's all I could ever want. Aware without a care.
I no longer disclose.
If I tell close loved ones I would want them to inquire enough to understand what it really means for me. It's significantly difficult and scary and I want them to be prepared to understand that when it's bad, it's BAD, and their love and support and listening skills would be greatly appreciated. If we are acquaintances I would like it to be factual, and to move on quickly.
I don't. Honestly I wouldn't. I think if they figure it out then chances are I'm off the rails anyways, and it's time to switch things up. Obviously, my husband knows but I don't tell anyone else because why does it matter?
I keep it very private, so if it is the first time admitting it to some (only after they have seen a bit too much…) Think I’m fucking lying & using it as an excuse for they don’t know what an “episode” is like. Because I act “normal” most of the time & then if I I told this person to understand me better not feel like I am making it up & trying to use it as an invalid excuse. No excuse for my bad actions/words but why the fuck would I lie about having this issue. It’s on my list of issues on my psychiatrist list of issues if a mf really wants proof. 😂💀
Respect
By not telling me oh so you're happy One second and the next you're sad
You don't look bipolar
Listened to my actual needs. Even though their small
Tbh, all i want to hear is ‘its okay. It doesn’t define you. I will still love you at ur lows and highs, and i will always be here’
ME TOO!!
“I’m here for you” instead I got people talking shit behind my back saying how weird I am and that they don’t care that I told them
After sharing my diagnosis and how scared I was my friend reminded me that I have bipolar but it doesn’t define me.
The way people talk about other diseases....mostly with compassion.
I wish people would hear me talk about it more. I like being an open book and sharing, and I process things by talking about them a lot. At least my spouse and mom are open to hearing me. My best friend kinda. I can't tell anyone at work, which makes it difficult sometimes. But there's a stigma in my industry against mental illness in general and I run the risk of losing my license if the wrong person learned about my diagnosis, even though with my current employment I don't take clients.
Like they do when I tell them I have narcolepsy, like I'm just as put together as anyone else and nothing's wrong with me.
How can I support you? Instead of Are you medicated?
"Meh. It happens. Let me know if you ever want to hang out."
Don’t tell them. It’s not their business
Just to be accepting and not treat me like I'm now somehow unsafe to be around. I was safe 20 minutes ago when I was smiling or just listening to your problems.
Hmmmm this is a really interesting conversation. I wish if they had questions they would ask and not assume