My daughter and I have bipolar disorder, why do people get so scared of us if they know that?

Question

I don't have as many troubles with the label as my daughter does. She feels if friends find out they will think she is a nut case or something. I don't see either of us as nutty, but rather we have a chemical imbalance that makes us too fast or depressed. I think I am trying to help her accept herself with this disorder. I think if friends are going to reject you because of this, they probably don't know enough about it.

Answer 1

People don't understand and are just ignorant if they don't. Start to reach out and educate them. Bring them some materials to better understand this disorder. Maybe if your daughter is still in school, the school can help by holding an informational seminar within classes so the kids and teachers will learn more about this.

Answer 2

People fear what they don't understand, and most people don't want to take the time to learn. I've been diagnosed bipolar since I was 19 and I haven't run into this as much as it sounds like other do. I don't know if I just have a more understanding family and friends, or if it's because I just don't bring it up to anyone. Generally, it's a good thing to keep to yourself until it's relevant to mention, like if someone notices your behavior being off. If it's a friend and once they know they think differently of you/her, then they weren't a good friend to begin with. Try to educate the people closest to you and don't mention it when it's not necessary.

Answer 3

People do fear and back away from things they know nothing about. Sad. Today people throw around the "bipolar" phrase as if it were really "out there". Thankfully, with today's medications - so long as people take them - life can be lived somewhere near normal. People around us generally will respond better to us if we either:
Tell only the people with a "need to know", or
Explain one-to-one with our friends, and tell them what to expect.