I have been told i have bipolar 2 by a phycryisit,I feel like now I know what I have im ashamed,afraid to tell people but family..I have suffered from this for 13 years bfore someone got it right..If you have bipolar or know anything about it please leave me a comment.
2007-01-21 09:06:50 · 12 answers · asked by LINDA E 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Bi-polar is fairly common in today's world. Nothing to be ashamed of. Be proud that you know what it is. Stay on your meds. You'll feel better, and be fine.
2007-01-21 09:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by cuinclaz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't anything to be ashamed of, but stigma can be real because there are a few people with bipolar who do bad things when they have a more extreme form of it and go off meds (and then things can rebound so the illness is even way worse than it was without treatment). Then people who don't know better can judge you as a bad person when you will never ever do anything like that.
So I personally would be careful who you tell, you can't control what others think. after awhile, maybe you will adopt the healthy attitude, who cares what they think, and maybe here is an educational opportunity you can give others. but the discrimination can be real, and you could lose job opportunities if you are too open, if you are able to keep a job. Many can't, many can.
I'd go to a support group if you want emotional support, NAMI has them, there are consumer-run (peer-run) support groups which in my opinion would be better, online groups, etc. There are lots of people who have been there.
I used to tell people I have depression. If you are bipolar 2, depression is your main symptom, and depression is so very common that in my opinion, that problem is less stigmatised than bipolar is. No one has a right to know about your mental health diagnosis except your immediate family members. Anyone else you tell is optional.
Good luck!! I hope you try the support group thing, it really helps!
2007-01-21 10:07:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can understand your feelings about being ashamed and not wanting to tell anyone about your illness. This is okay friend and maybe the best for you at this time.
I would like to say that you are not crazy, in fact most people with this illness are very smart people with very good lives. Some are teachers, lawyers and doctors..you name it they can do it.
Bipolar is a mood disorder, and bipolar 2 is a better form of bipolar to have. If you can, please find out as much as you can about the disorder and really try to understand what it is. There are so many medications out there for this now. Hopefully you can find the right medication for you.
Some medication can have side effects that you won't like. In time some of the side effects go away and your able to adjust to the med.
If your family does not understand what you are going through see if you can put some material together so they can understand.
I have a group on the Internet called believers_landing. This group is for those who have this disorder and they help support each other and share what is going on in their life.
I also have a group for people who have loved ones who have bp.
That group is loved ones landing
they are yahoo groups...
I hope that all works out well for you ... there is hope after BP
2007-01-21 09:30:29 · answer #3 · answered by TB 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't have any real advice, but would like to say I know exactly how you feel. Though I have not been diagnosed long it is scary and confusing. I was diagnosed with Bipolar in May/June and diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in November. I feel like you do all the time. I too am embarrassed to tell my family, mainly because I have a sister who is SO infatuated with mental illness that she studies it and learns so much on it and then goes to her doctor stating "text book" facts. She does not know what I have. I can't tell her because she will "compete". So I can't get the support from my dad that I'd like. Though I am sure you have tried, try doing some internet searches on it. You could also go to the library and take out a book or two on it. Also, ask your Psychiatrist for some pamphlets on it. I know I probably have not said anything in here that someone else has not already said or that you have not tried. Good Luck...
2007-01-23 00:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by lonely and sad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have bipolar II, and I understand how you feel. I used to be afraid to tell other people about this disorder until this past year. I started my first teaching job in the fall, and immediately fell into a relapse and wound up in the hospital. When I came back from the hospital, I went to my employer, and they were very supportive. They asked me to explain how bipolar disorder affected me, and I felt very empowered in describing it. The management showed me the utmost respect and professional courtesy, giving me an opportunity to return to work. Had it not been for the amount of time it took me to recover, I would have returned to work at that time, but I am back on my feet now.
When I was first beginning to cope with this mental illness, I read about Member of Congress, Lynn Rivers, from my home state of
Michigan. She has bipolar disorder, but that didn't stop her from becoming a lawyer and then a civil servant, who also advocates for the rights of the disabled. I realized that if she can hold public office and be respected, then there is nothing "crazy" about having a mental illness.
The more you talk to others about your illness and educate them, the easier it will get. It is your own opinion that you will be seen as "crazy" that is hurting you. Once you begin telling others about it, you will be surprised how many people do not hold the view that mental illness makes people crazy. And, you will learn that most people have family members or friends who cope with mental illness.
Have hope, and stay strong. Everything will turn out right. Believe me.
2007-01-21 10:00:19 · answer #5 · answered by monica_dietz@sbcglobal.net 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been Bipolar 2 for 15 years (started when I was 13), but wasn't properly diagnosed until about 4 years ago. It was such a relief to know that there was a name to what was wrong with me. I don't think that you have to tell anyone that you are Bipolar 2. It's nobody's business, even if it is affecting your life in a negative way. If I were you I would research Bipolar 2 (two great websites are below) and talk more to your psychiatrist about it. Also therapy has been great in helping me learn how to live with Bipolar 2 in a healthy way. I have been taking Lamictal for 3 years (wasn't able to tolerate it at first so chose not to take anything) and have to say that I actually feel "normal" most of the time. When I talk to people now about it, almost everyone tells me that they had no idea that I suffered from it. I have been open and honest with the people that I'm closest to as it has helped them to understand me better. I am not ashamed of being Bipolar 2. I try to educate people whenever I can (whether I'm talking about myself or the disorder in general) as there are so many falsehoods about it out there. I guess in a way I'm kind of proud to have it because of how successful I've been in my life. I went from being extremely suicidal as a teen and couldn't hold down a job for more than 3 months at a time for years. My relationships with my family and friends suffered and I couldn't enter a relationship with a significant other in a healthy manner (of course I also chose guys that were screwed up). When I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 I started doing as much research as I could to educate myself on what it was and treatment for it. I started medication which has helped immensely. I have worked at the same job for 8 years and my relationships with my parents and friends have vastly improved, and I've been able to make new friends that I've been able to be close to. I also met a wonderful man and was honest with him about my disorder. He was very accepting and we fell in love and, after dating for 2 years, we got married. Granted, our relationship has NOT been perfect. I think it's been more of a struggle since I have Bipolar 2, but I work on myself with therapy as help. I continue to be honest with my husband and together we grow in a healthy way. I know there is hope for everyone who suffers from Bipolar 1 or Bipolar 2!
2007-01-21 18:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by kaliluna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bipolar is treatable. Get it treated and then get on with your life. We have a doctor in this community who has bipolar so don't think it has to ruin your life. Youf life is what you make out of it. You can either wallow in self pity that you have this disease or you can get it treated and make something out of your life. It's all up to you. Having a problem and taking care if it is not something to be ashamed up. You should be proud that now you know what the problem is and you can take care of it.
2007-01-21 09:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being Bipolar doesn't mean you are crazy, it just means that your body gets into different states (mooy, depressed) because of what happens in life. And that happens to everybody it just so happens that yours changes more often than some other people. And remember you are not alone, maybe you could find a website and learn more about it...
2007-01-21 09:11:08 · answer #8 · answered by dolphinlover698 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bipolar is a mood disorder nothing related to what people see as "crazy" be grateful that its not a more severe mental disorder like schizophrenia
2007-01-21 19:51:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh grow up bipolar is just your moods out of wack, you feel like your crazy? go be the people who see and hear things that aren't real and are tortured through life stop complaining over nothing
2007-01-21 19:57:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋