Having bipolar and no support from friends.?

Question

I was just diagnose with bipolar. My friends think that my behavior is just an excuse to be mean and push them away. When I tell them that it is a side effect and hopefully the medication will help with that they get mad and think I am faking it. My question is I don't want to lose these friends but don't know if I should be around if they don't understand what I am going through. Any advise?

Answer 1

A lot of people are ignorant to the realities of these types of illnesses. Some people are willing to be educated, some think they already know it all despite the fact that they actually know nothing about the issue. I've been living with bipolar (and other problems) for my entire life. Some people are supportive, some are infuriatingly misinformed. The fact is, bipolar disorder is a very real illness with significant symptoms that effects many aspects of a person's life. It is not an excuse for bad behavior, but it is an explanation. It can be very isolating and feel very lonely, but you are not alone.

You might want to look into online support groups. I happen to be the co-moderator of one on yahoogroups.com. If you go there and do a search for bipolar support, you will find a lot of listings. I have found the support online to far exceed anything I've found offline. It really helps to reach out and connect with other people who really 'get it'.

Bipolar can not be cured (at least, not at this time), it is not going to go away. It requires understanding and the continued management of symptoms. Whatever you do, do not buy into what your friends are saying and the attitude they have about this.

Answer 2

i've got been pointed out as bipolar as sturdy, and that i actually don't sense it relatively is discovered. as a methods because of the fact the question of why one might evaluate it relatively is discovered, i know of a million centred precise representation. interior the 70's a feral teen was found out, and she or he or he might masturbate in public. Many puzzled the area she found out such behaviour, it is going to've been imposed on her. relatively that she was extra or less 14 on the 2d and sexually setting up. This facilitates to demonstrate that sexual instincts are a classic composition of human life. on each occasion this is an hassle this is socially unacceptable, we had to have had impacts from the incorrect persons, yet while this is genius, we've been taught properly. precise element can no longer study, they're discovered, regardless of if by probability, or intentional. How else might we clarify how the lives we live are at present day? The concepts evolves. We began with hearth and a wheel, and at present day we've cellular telephones and spaceships. With remarkable, there is risky, and traditionally, the area there is risky or misunderstood concerns, there are fears. to guard undertaking, there in all probability hatred, and too in particular suppression. some refuse to renowned or settle for conventional, shown conclusions. if your chum genuine believes this, then she ought to sense that all and sundry behaviour is taught, which relatively isn't available in any know. Is the two year historic who fears the sound a lights fixtures from a vacuum, and cowers in a corner crying subsequently of the operation of a million taught to realize this? likely now no longer. Is an adolescent taught to cry to specific starvation or illness at 3 days historic? besides, i desire you do no longer stop your friendship thoroughly based on her loss of information. there is generally a in basic terms good threat there could be no longer something you will possibly be able to do to enlighten her, so i might say, conform to disagree, in specific interior the case of an prolonged term friendship. remarkable fulfillment!

Answer 3

Talk to one of your closest friends who you think might be more understanding and explain what's been going on. Explain how your actions are not always reflective of your true emotions. Ask that friend to talk to your other friends and ask them to be supportive of you. Medication is a big step but you can't expect it to do all the work. You need to speak with your mental health professional and ask them for techniques to recognize when you are entering manic or depressive stages and what you can so to lessen the severity of your mood swings. And realize also that it really can seem like you are being mean on purpose and some people are more sensitive to that then others.

Answer 4

I'm really sorry to hear that your having a rough time with your friends when you already have your plate full. Maybe you could get someone you trust to talk to them to try to explain it them how bp works . A lot of people have trouble being sympathetic toward mental illness due to the fact it is'nt something they can see or touch. If you had a broken leg they can see what is wrong and make allowances for it., different story when it's your moods it affects. I wish you good luck, and don't give up on your friends, they just need some information and guidance.

Answer 5

First of all look at the man in the mirror and see what you can do. Saying sorry immediately after snapping your loved ones head off is hard ecspecially when you honestly believe your right in your own head.

Usually my family ignores me because later they know I'll be back apologizing and so we all know the drill now.

Try learning to say things to them differently instead you make me feel say I feel ? when this occurs.

Run to your room and cry or just go to sleep because you need to rest through those periods yourself.

Be sad when you see yourself having these problems and lashing out in a way you can't handle. Be sad, I do.

No pain, no gain. It's hard on everyone when we act out crazy and we need to hate it enough to change it. Good luck, I still have my moments but my pillow has become my friend and atleast I've learned to grit enough through my teeth that I yell lower.!!

Answer 6

hey...i have the same problem as you, only i have major depression. my depression is very severe, and i also don't have any support from anyone. hmm...in your case, just try explaining it to them. have u tried? tell them to look up "bipolar" on the internet, that will probably give them a clue. if that still doesn't work, and they still treat u that way, i suggest getting new friends. you need your friends, especially in times like this, and if they can't be there for you, then dump them..

Answer 7

Yes. You are a classic bi-polar always concerned about yourself. Everything is about "you"...that's why your friends don't want to be with you. You probably fly off of the handle without being provoked, you blame all of your problems on everyone else and you have no empathy for anyone else's problems...just about your own. So...take your medication and keep seeing your therapist and try to learn how to socialize if you can't do it naturally. If you want friends, it's a give and take situation...not just give give give to YOU. You are mentally ill and you can't help it; however, you can learn to modify your undesirable behavior. It's not fun even knowing someone like you, so you're going to have to try harder to be sociable. That is my advice, and it's straight-up because no one else will tell you the truth. I have a kid just like you; I know from experience. Godloveya.

Answer 8

It's a difficult call. To some extent, maybe it shows you who your real friends are. The ultimate answer is educating them. Bipolar is a severe mental illness, but with treatment, you can lead a normal life.

Come and join an online support group:
http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven or
http://www.crazyboards.org

Answer 9

they may take time to adjust to it. or like my family just totally ignore all facts and keep saying your faking it. either way there is other support out there if they were your real friends they would at least try to understand. i know i sound cold and it may be because i'm in my depressive cycle now but their negitivity will only make your recovery and healing WORSE. my husband still has issues with it and can't handle me with out my meds which i have been without since august(no insurance). and while they adjust your meds time will be hard you will feel like **** until they find the right doseage for you. i am just going to go back in the hospital until mine get fixed so i don't get to anyone and if my doseage is really bad and i go nuts they are right there to help me

Answer 10

i know someone who's bipolor and honestly i think your friends needs to understand what you're going through and that your actions arent done purposely.

i understand people who're bipolor have moments of highs and lows and it's not easy to control oneself. for my friend, i try to be there for him as much as i can and i understand his condition. even when he lashes out, i know he doesnt do it purposely.

you have every right to be with your friends and if they can't accept you, then they're not good friends. surround yourself with people who understand and love you, people who believe you and want to help you out.

good luck