How to explain?!
Question: I overheard my employer (I work at a large show barn) talking with someone about somebody's daughter with bipolar, and I interrupted and asked who this was. My employer asked me if I knew anything about bipolar, and I responded, "I am bipolar" and walked off, embarrassed. I later emailed her saying if she ever had any questions regarding my condition, I would answer them.
How much is appropriate for her to know about my disorder? I don't want to scare her or make her uncomfortable. She absolutely loves me, although I have only been working/boarding there for 2 months.
I am bipolar II and have had a very difficult year so far. I am on lots of medication.
Thanks.
Answers: I overheard my employer (I work at a large show barn) talking with someone about somebody's daughter with bipolar, and I interrupted and asked who this was. My employer asked me if I knew anything about bipolar, and I responded, "I am bipolar" and walked off, embarrassed. I later emailed her saying if she ever had any questions regarding my condition, I would answer them.
How much is appropriate for her to know about my disorder? I don't want to scare her or make her uncomfortable. She absolutely loves me, although I have only been working/boarding there for 2 months.
I am bipolar II and have had a very difficult year so far. I am on lots of medication.
Thanks.
Just read your bio, you're a hell of a kid, be very proud of yourself. Be honest with your employer since you brought it up but don't offer unless she asks. Be strong, you've created a great path for yourself.
your gonna have to tell her, if she really like u she'll understand.
:)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...
Its really none of her business. Don't tell her what you don't want her to know.
Unless she specifically ASKS you.......
none of it is appropriate
It's like having a sales call...targeting you for something that likely you don't want....when you DO want it, you go out and look for it...or information about it.
If she asks; then explain it to her, if not don't worry about it :)
tell her what your mum told you about it, she will find out anyway. just answer any questions she has about it.
Don't be ashamed or afraid of your employer knowing. They don't need detailed information. You are doing well now and that is all that matters. You are entitled to privacy.
Since you brought your condition up, I would answer what ever questions she asks. It will help her to understand that you are a person, and the condition does not define you. I think it is helpful that she has a good opinion of you already.
U let the cat out of the bag,personal medical info like this is not a employers business, unless you pose a problem to yourself or someone else..
I am not ashamed of being bipolar either! Good for you! I would be careful to keep the fact that its an employer in mind when answering about your personal life though. You want to be known as yourself not as your bipolar self. Just my opinion, good luck!
If you feel uncomfortable about it, talk to her personally, tell her how you feel about this issue. Clear the air, know each other intention then you & her will feel more better.
That was kind of you. Your intentions were good.
However, if it was not your employer's daughter,
it's probably best for you to say nothing more.
Hopefully, your employer is kind and understanding.
If you are showing up on time, etc., then perhaps he or she will have a respect for you. It may have been embarrassing especially because you walked off. But hopefully your boss is as kind as you say, and understands.
Don't be embarrassed. Just be someone they can count on.
Good luck and God bless!!
It is a recognized medical condition and you cannot be discriminated against because of it, at least not yet, not in every situation.
I usually do not divulge that information about myself to anyone. I take my meds every day, and a stable personality requires no explanation. However, just about every place I have worked I have met at least one bipolar person on meds. One even was the company owner.
It's alright to disclose, as you think necessary or appropriate. No one should feel any more uncomfortable about that than they would about someone who has, say, migraine headaches.
The average person is still quite ignorant of mental illness and
it really is best to keep your illness to yourself because there is a stigma around it. There is no reason for anyone to know your personal life. We throw around the word "bi-polar" - it has become a household word but its still something people dont understand and will back off from a person who says they are bi-polar. Its ignorance. You have to live with it so make it easier for yourself and keep it to yourself.
In the future, don't tell anyone you have bipolar. It's nobody's business. I don't feel obligated to tell the people I work with about my health, and neither should you just because your health issue is psychiatric. You shouldn't have emailed her either. Stop making a big deal about this to other people. I know it's a big deal to you, but it's unwise to spill your guts and open up your personal issues like this at work. This goes for everyone and everything, not just you and mental illness. You should not discuss your condition with her at all period. Since you invited her to ask questions, if she does ask tell her that your condition is controlled with medication, and while you struggle sometimes, you are very proud of how well you are able to manage your condition. And don't bring it up again.
I'm in the same boat as you are, but have been dealing with it for many years more than you have.
A word of advice since you're asking.....I personally don't recommend telling any employer of your condition. Not that it is something to be ashamed of, but people can be very judgemental and may automatically assume you're absolutely nuts, and violent, and, basically insane. People only pay attention to the severe cases and assume everyone is aflicted to that level. I've heard people "diagnose" others who were, in my opinion, just jerks in general. ("I think she's bipolar") Bipolar people are usually special and contribute largely to society, but the lack of understanding means it still has a stigma. Besides, it's none of anyone's business. I do not mention it unless I am sure of that person and it's someone I trust. I have never gotten anything out of telling employers or random people except strange behavior from them. It's like any other illness and doesn't need to be discussed.
Let everything go for now. If she wants to ask you about it, she will. You opened the door for communication, so let her choose what to do next. She may not be comfortable discussing it any further right now. If she loves you as you say, and you believe she's a good person, she will be fine with it. Another point is that as your employer, she's really not allowed to question you about it since it is a private matter and could bring up legal concerns for her.
p.s. Hang in there and NEVER stop taking your meds. It will get better (much better), but I won't lie.....the frustrations don't end even after you are stable and happy. I've had issues with psychiatrists (one tried to kiss me, and I had a hell of a time finding a new one several times over the years), and even over the past week, a terribly frustrating episode regarding the dosage of medication I've been taking exactly the same type and dose for 12 years. Back and forth between the pharmacy and doctors, and even insurance. I've even had to switch my manic drugs twice due to overload on my kidneys and skin reactions. One of those switches was really tough, the other I didn't even notice. I don't mean to scare you, because things do get better and you soon (with the right meds) will feel born again (not in a religious sense). You were diagnosed young, which is a big head start. Give it time and patience. I am extremely happy now and my husband is the best thing that ever happened to me. email me if you want more information. I expect that someday, after you're feeling better for a while, that you will feel as I do about it, that this is my greatest gift and greatest curse, but I wouldn't want to be me without it. good luck!
From what you're saying, I understand that your condition is not 100% controlled at the time being. Therefore your employer needs to know something about it, in order to be able to support you in times of need., especially when you would need to take days off sick.
Having said this, you deserve to have privacy. You don't need to go into any gory details. Unfortunately, stigma against all forms of mental illness still exists in society and lay people find it hard to understand certain symptoms. Their idea of mentally ill people is very much coloured by what they see on tv and don't associate mental illness with true suffering. Therefore, in my opinion, you should limit yourself to the basics and tell her only what YOU want her to know.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
Being bi-polar is a gift. And a label. It is simply an indication that you are more connected to who you really are more of the time than most people.
When you are bi-polar, you are cognizant of your connection with Source (or God or the Universe or Higher-Self or whatever you choose to call it). The polarity is when, through beliefs created through societal conditioning, you are literally "at war" between what your parents, teachers, priest, etc. think you are