Today is World Bipolar day. All over Facebook I see people posting things with the hashtag #bipolarproud. I don’t know how this will sound, but I’m not bipolar proud. I hate this illness. I hate what it does to me. I hate that it literally impacts every aspect of my life. I understand the awareness part and how people need to understand this mental illness better. That I get. I used to try to educate people and be confident about it and show that it doesn’t make me different, but last year I slipped and said I had bipolar disorder at work and was treated differently and looked down upon afterwards. I’m not happy to have this. I wish I didn’t.
Of course, having an illness isn't something to be proud of. It's not an accomplishment to be bipolar. It didn't take any effort to acquire it. That's not the thing to be proud of.
You are still functioning, still moving forward, and overcoming the effects and stigma of your illness. You can sure as hell be proud of that!
I know just how you feel, but mine was depression...possibly bi-polar! It is work, it had to be added to anything that I attempted to accomplish! And, yes I tried to educate people about my condition, that was work as well and didn't always help me! But, as I aged it did subside a lot and after I had back surgery last year, my condition has gone altogether! I feel like a new person! I wish this on everybody! I have no real explanation for the total turnaround! So it can happen! If it can happen to one person, then it should be possible for others!
The growing willingness to talk about mental illness is good, but it has led to some bizarre bits. I don't know of any actual bipolar sufferers who would be proud of it. Proud that they can function with it, maybe. Proud to manage it properly, but not proud to have it.
People are getting their ideas a little twisted. We should encourage open dialog, but not pride in an illness. Only pride in managing/overcoming said illness.
Word. i take a lot of inner pride that I've stayed alive this long living with it. Pardon my language, but it fucking sucks. I do support NAMI and other positive and informed support of people living with mental illness. But, especially on social media, people have NO clue.
It does seems strange to be proud... I suppose it's because of the negative feedback people tend to get when they announce it. It's an awful thing to have to deal with. I'm all about the awareness. More people need to know about it and not be afraid to ask if they or others have it. And treat it accordingly.
I too hate the disorder, I have a brother with it and it has wrecked our family and made my life worse for the past 56 years, well 55 of them.
It is bad, just this morning one of my neighbours told me that a couple of days ago, he saw something in the sand dunes, went to investigate and found a body hanging in the trees. I am pretty certain it is a guy I worked with briefly a few weeks back, (he was living in his car at that spot) bi-polar and ICE.
I had huge problems with him, almost ended up in a fight because I had to get him to leave the worksite when the local pre school visited. He was not cleared to work around children. Then that afternoon he was asking fellow staff to talk me into letting him move in to my place. I would drown him first, and also, this is a safe place, people come here when they have access and supervisory issues around custody.
His highs and lows were so hard to handle, claimed all sorts of qualifications. Knew everything. One day was going on about pruning our citrus trees, I told him no. Turned my back and he did it, all the fruit gone, trees were a mess, yet he insisted he was a horticulturist, which means that they do not actually need to be pruned and also if you decide to do so , you do it at the end of winter after they have fruited, not end of summer when they are beginning to fruit. I really hate this disorder.
I feel so sorry that you have it.This guy was proud of it, he would tell everybody I guess to get some leeway? Maybe one day there will be a cure. I hope so. Not trying to be a downer, a little shocked re the suicide, but also revealing how bad such a disorder is for those who suffer from it.
My ex had a bipolar friend that actually caused us some problems. I think a lot of it was that my ex did not understand the illness but always took the woman's side when I tried to explain it. The woman in question may have been more than bipolar. She said a lot of things that just would not check out. It was her husband that explained her condition to me.
I don't get being proud like you just won a meddle either. I get depression, panic attacks and my back is fucked. it's not something to be proud of. is there a proud I got hit by a truck day? or proud I caught venereal disease day? proof that it isn't just religion that makes us fucking stupid I think.
I have bipolar and I agree. I tell people I’m a chemistry set hoping the right combo of meds work (which at the moment are). Having bipolar is nothing to be proud of. It’s an illness and a painful one. Why would I be proud of pain? Why would anyone want to be in pain? I may not have physical pain but I sure as hell have mental pain. I’m on disability because of this illness and although I think I’ve gotten the right combo of meds and am having better days, I can’t go off disability. I’d have no insurance and wouldn’t get the current help I need. So I’d just end up where I started.
Taking the stigma away from bipolar is one thing. But being proud? No. Words are powerful and there’s a big difference between stigma and proud. I’m more concerned with the former.
Why would you be proud of bipolar, why would someone even think they should have some sort of value from having something you didn't choose to have especially something that an illness. Creatans.
I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of the people posting that are either self diagnosed or just don't have it . I get the make people aware of mental illness bit but being proud of something that makes your life hell nope just nope . I have a form of depression not sure what as different drs diagnose something different every time and I hate it I just want to be able to function on a daily basis not wonder how I'll be the next day
Its a curable psychological disease.
Are you a psychologist? A psychiatrist? Sorry, haven't read your bio yet. Just curious about your statement and wondering if you have any comprehensive studies or anything to help any of us given even a smidgen of credence to you statement.
I'm also surprised that nobody replied to your comment. But, I guess I'm learning the hard way that many people are not necessarily here to interact -- just read and keep scrolling.
@BlueWave Sometimes it can be managed ... it categorically cannot be cured lol. I have a couple of friends who lived with it. At one point although epileptic I was suspected could be bipolar however brain scans confirmed other stuff. It cannot be cured .. Science is still researching hard on it. The photo is from a Guardian article .. ten things you should never say to somebody who is Bi Polar .. by Stephen Fry.
@Bverret2012 keep a lot of hope u'll get cure nothing is impossible.
@BlueWave first i wish to tell u i am not a doctor but i always take interest in many scientific researchs,by profession i am a student of chartered Accountancy.
I have a friend who was also suffering from this disease. It took a lot of time to cure but now he is fine. Around its has been one and half year passed away and he is totally good without any symptom since such period.
@FAIZ I'm hoping you can agree that your knowing one person -- or even 10 -- who no longer have symptoms is not at all indicative of there being a CURE for bipolar disorder.
And I'm hoping that you can agree that if there were, indeed, a CURE, that millions of people around the globe would get treated and would not suffer on a daily basis from the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
I understand. I am both a member of the LGBTQIA community and an autism mother. I am proud out of necessity. On days when I am weak, pride is not exactly happiness with one's lot in life, it is acceptance and strength to go on. It's piss and vinegar. Resilience. I am not proud to be gay, I'm proud to be openly gay in a world that wishes to quash me, so hush me, that asks me to hide. I'm not proud my son has autism.... I'm proud of the person he is and the strength he has every day to overcome his anxiety, stress, social issues. When someone takes pride in something that is difficult for them, something that they cannot help, they're not happy that it is there, they are telling it to fuck off in anyone who wishes to judge them around them to fuck off as well.
This is very well said.
I commend you, I have a daughter in J-ville also with bipolar disorder, I just visited her and is doing great, best I seen her in many years. Thank you for sharing. Just remember how ignorant people around you could be. I wish you the best.
I tell on a need to know basis....but I think most people know I struggle with some sort of depression. I accept it as part of who I am, because I embraced the stigma of it during my youth which was unfortunate for me and damaging, and delayed a healthy living experience. Once I admitted my reality, and went thru trial and error of treatment...even in face of my relgious experience that taught me to look for faith healing, life became productive and good for me, even if all I accomplished was getting out of bed in the morning.
I get embarrassed to be honest about my illnesses as well. People judge me, I hate it too. I never tell anyone IDK that I'm ill. I don't actually look mentally ill IMO. You can be open here. There is a depression/mental illness group in here you could join. I'm in it.
I have bipolar and I ain't poud it sucks but my meds are working so all is good. Here is a little humor.
I read about a guy who has a split personality and both his personalities are bipolar. Would that make him a quadrapolar?
It's no longer referred to as split personality. A lot has changed since it was called that. We no longer refer to split personality or multiple personality. The proper terminology is Dissociative Identity Disorder. If you care to read up on it and get better educated, I would encourage you to do so. There is no such thing as quadrapolar.
@Bverret2012 Did you laugh? Chuckle? Smile? Or did I strike out?