I wish I never was told I had bipolar disorder.?!
Question: Ever since I was told, about it I feel so afraid that people will find out my secret., It is constantly on my mind, that I have bipolar, for 3 years that I have known. I look in the mirror, I have bipolar, I cross the road I have bipolar.. At least the past 31 years of my life, I was having fun, I travelled around the world andmet amazing people. Now in job interviews, when I meet new friends I keep on holiding myself back. I am now so much more scared to enjoy my life, I dont wont to seem weird around people, when I never thought I was weird.. How should I see this disorder and be ok about it.
Answers: Ever since I was told, about it I feel so afraid that people will find out my secret., It is constantly on my mind, that I have bipolar, for 3 years that I have known. I look in the mirror, I have bipolar, I cross the road I have bipolar.. At least the past 31 years of my life, I was having fun, I travelled around the world andmet amazing people. Now in job interviews, when I meet new friends I keep on holiding myself back. I am now so much more scared to enjoy my life, I dont wont to seem weird around people, when I never thought I was weird.. How should I see this disorder and be ok about it.
Look, it's understandable how you feel. I have bi-polar II. When I first found out, I worried about people thinking I was crazy too but the fact of the matter is, if someone thinks you're crazy because you have a common disorder, well, they are just ignorant. Now a days there are so many disorders being diagnosed that it is more "normal" to have a disorder than not. You need to come from a place within that accepts who you are. Not only that, you don't need to tell anyone about it unless there is a vital reason. It's no one's business but your own that you have bi-polar disorder. Should you choose to tell someone, it actually may benefit you. Reason being, you will be able to tell what kind of person they are by their reaction. Anyone who thinks people that suffer from any kind of disorder does not deem them as crazy, it actually gives makes them more interesting in my opinion. People come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. This just adds yet another facet to the life you live-like a diamond. You have no reason to be ashamed. Be proud that you are one of us that is able to function and live your life. Bieng fearful of others reactions will only inhibit you. Never let anyone have that kind of power over you. If they don't accept you for who you are, they are simply not worth your time. Best of luck :)
Try the medication I take for my depression.
just realize that its a part of you whether you like it or not. you shouldnt feel ashamed for something you can't help and certainly didnt choose. there are millions more out there who have the disorder and are dealing with it too. dont let it interfere with your life. just keep going..
thats ok.
Its not a big deal... I know some awesome people that are bipolar and it doesn't make them any less awesome-er.
Never having it I can't answer how I would feel, deal with it etc. But, I can understand how life altering this news would be if I was told I had it. I would suggest you find a forum on the internet for people that are bipolar, join up and talk to others who have this and I believe they can help you find the answers you are seeking...
I was diagnosed at 22 and it felt like a life sentence. Some days it still does. But to be cheesy and quote Leonardo DiCaprio from The Man in the Iron Mask, "I wear the mask. The mask does not wear me."
The point I'm making here is that it'll send you insane if you try to define everything you are and everything you have experienced and achieved as a result of you having bipolar. While you do have bipolar and it has and will continue to affect your life, IT IS NOT YOU! It is a disease that is completely separate to your personality...
Having an illness may be limiting at times, but I don't see this condition (in my case a disability) as excuse for an inability to succeed at life...Don't hold back, enjoy life and live it as much as you can. Bipolar does not make you weird, its a medical condition like diabetes, one that you have and needs to be addressed, but not one that has to change the way you are unless you let it!
I think what you are experiencing is a kind of shock reaction to discover you have this condition.Maybe also a fear that people will see you as somehow defective or even "mental"Stephen Fry I. believe has the same condition and he said that he would rather have it than not have it ! It seems that the Highs that come with it outwegh the lows.I would not be ashamed in any way. Would you be ashamed if it was cancer that you had? Bipolar is as much an illness as any other. You should be proud of yourself that you have done all that you have in the last few years and you did not even know that you had this condition. That would indicate that you have strenghts that have made you cope.I would imagine that being bipolar would give you an added dimension to living life to the full. You should maybe find a Bipolar support group that would help you realise that you are not alone . Good Luck
I was just diagnosed. My son was dx 2 years ago. His father was dx about 5-6 years ago (We are divorced 8 years)
I have to say, instead of upsetting me, I felt relief. At least now I understand all the ups and downs I have had, why I have suicidal ideations every day for a week and then, oh, nevermind, what was I thinking? for another few weeks. It explains all the good ideas and projects (that run through my mind constantly when I am hypomanic) I get started but never finish. It just explains so much, and I am hopeful with the right combination of meds I can "even" out some. You don't have to tell everyone you meet, it is none of their business, this is how I intend to handle my dx. It's on a need to know basis.
I'm only 21 and I was diagnosed at 12. It's just a diagnosis. Thats all it really is. A diagnosis for the insurance companies sake. Only person that can help you is you. Many people suffer from bipolar disorder. I researched it a lot when I was younger, and it helps to understand exactly what is happening in your brain. Dont let it ruin your life.
You don't have to tell anyone who isn't involved in your health care if you don't want to.
But I like the idea of being open about mental illness--it helps to work against prejudices a lot of people have.
I have been diagnosed with Major Depression and Dysthymic Disorder and I don't care who knows it. However, I work for a mental health agency and maybe that makes it easier for me a little more relaxed about it.