This is for everyone without bipolar/manic depression.?

Question

What is your first reaction when someone tells you they have bipolar? What is your thougths/reactions once it sinks in? What do you want to tell someone that is so depressed they just want to die/harm themselves or want to get away from everybody. How about when that person starts to have panic attacks? What is your reaction when you go to a store and try to ask an employee a question and they are on the defensive side or about to cry. Do you really care about that person or just get mad and want a manager? Be truthful, I am writing an article and want opinions/thoughts from both sides (those with and without bipolar.)

Answer 1

My first reaction to those who wish to kill themselves is greatly different from those who are bipolar. First off, you have to realize, bipolar is usually not just a random shift in mood. While the defect includes rapid emotion progression, it does not mean randomness. As for the way I would react if someone began to cry at the counter while i was getting something, I would probably care. I would try to talk to them. However, I find bipolar very unstable, and having a total lack of ability to efficiently take care of their own emotions. Whether I believe it is their own fault is different. It depends on who it is. As for those who wish to kill themselves, I handle it with empathy. However, the main reason for killing oneself is to get back at someone. The main thought that crosses a suicidal persons mind is "I'll show them." However, this would not stop a lot of people. I am not sure how to handle someone who is suicidal peron. I would try to handle it with empathy.

Answer 2

I would beinterested to read your future article. I have always been eccentric and was actually relieved when I was Dx'd with bipolar disorder.I take my meds. I accept the consequences for my choices. I do not hide my illness nor do I let it define me. Check the rosters. Many of the great artists, scientists,poets, and leaders of nations throughout history had bipolar disorder. We're in pretty good company, as far as mental illness goes. But I cannot say that I have not been hurt by someone's ignorant opinion. I stay away from people who think mental illness is a "scam" or an excuse to get away with "bad" behaviour . That happens, but being bipolar ain't no picnic. I, and many others with this illness, would challange any so-called "normal" person to live inside our heads for just a short time. They would not have the strength or fortitude to just get through the experience.

Answer 3

My first reaction is to let them sit and talk, or just be quiet. Give them your company if that's what they want, or leave them alone for short periods of time but let them know you're there if they need someone. Don't interfere or give 'advice', let them take the lead. It's the best way to build their trust in a person. Don't argue with their ideas, be gentle in discussions involving points of view, especially your own. Never criticise or empathise with them for self harming, ask them what they think led to it but don't push it. Let them set the pace. If a shop assistant looks like crying, ask if you can help or if they'd like you to get the supervisor (who should know about their employees illness) but again, don't force yourself onto them. Give them a smile, let them know you understand they're feeling down and back off if they get more defensive. If they say they want to die - and this might sound stupid but through experience I've found it does work - suggest they go with you for a quiet coffee to talk it through as you really want to hear what they have to say and to understand that feeling. Tell them you don't know about it and want to learn but don't be patronising. Bipolar is a horrible illness and I've only known a very few but I'm really proud of the acheivements of the one or two I've worked with. One is now a group leader for an adventure pursuits company (I spent many, many nights at a coffee stall listening to him), the other, a real no-hoper who the professionals had given up on and was homeless, stepped into my shoes as a support worker when I retired.

Answer 4

i myself suffer from bipolar and i also suffer from other mental illinessed and your question about what would i say to someone who want to harm themselves i ask them do you really want to do this well why do you realize that there are people who have things so much worse then i actaully take them to a person who can help when i go to a store and i have an encounter with an employee and i have a problem or what ever i usually do get a little denfesive when it comes to things that bother me but i have a couple times broken down and i have no way to say wheter or not wheter they even cared and i actually am to the point where i do not care and if someone would come to me and state they have bipolar or any type of mental illiness i would welcome them with open arms because i know how they feel i have probably have been there and i can try to help them and i can actually be a support the person and i would actually listen and i would be proud to say that they are not the only one i love them and that they are special because i have no respect from those who make front of or misunderstand the whole metal illiness problem in american hell the world and i would like to welcome anyone who has mental illiness to contact me i know how and more of what they feel these peole who have mental illiness are no different then anyone in the world they have slight problems and at least they admit they do have a problem and they seek help and i myself care about all of those who suffer as i had said my whole family suffers from mental illiness and we are not too ashamed to tell people this and i can say it has not held me back from anything so those who hav this wonderful yes i said wonderful diease be proud and be honest with all of those around you you have no reason to be ashamed you are not alone

Answer 5

if someone told me that they had bipolar i wouldn't think bad of them because its a mental disorder that could happen to everyone. its a shame in society that most people don't understand mental health issues, after all they can read about it. if that person is suicidal there is a Catt team (i think that's how its spelt) you can can call urgently and what they do is take the person to the hospital to get proper treatment A.S.A.P because with bipolar the longer its left untreated the worse it gets. once a person with bipolar is treated and return to there health you cant even tell they have bipolar.

Answer 6

i dont really understand this. i see on the news women killing their children because they are bipolar,they are never found guilty...just given meds to make them better. I think its a scam.If you know your having terrible thoughts, why wouldnt you get help?? I understand depression,post partum blues,etc but i dont get bipolar. i have 3 step kids who are not being treated right because their mom has this disorder,and we get no help from any outside sources, why cant the other people involved get help before its to late?