How do you deal with bipolar discrimination?
Answer:
Even though you're probably tempted to share it with many people in your life, sometimes it's just best left unsaid...especially in the workplace. Sure, there are laws against discrimination for mental illness...but I know from personal experience that if an employer or coworkers find out, it is highly possible that they will begin looking for "reasons" to let you go if they think your ability to work will be at all affected by your illness. I work full time and I'm in graduate school, and I basically try to keep it away from those two areas of my life. It's sad that we have to live this way, but at this time society still does not accept the fact that people like us can live normal lives. Tell a couple of close friends or family members that you really trust, so that if an emergency occurs someone will be able to help...because you don't need to go through this alone. But other than that, I've found over the years that there's really no point in sharing with the rest of the world. My best advice is probably this: it will take a while for you to become comfortable with your diagnosis, but do not let this disease define who you are. It's a significant part of your life, but try to get to a point at which you can look at yourself in the mirror and not automatically think, "My name is ***** and I'm bipolar." If you can come to terms with your condition and not allow it to define you completely, you'll probably not feel such a strong need to tell others about it.
I can say this my grandsons father has this he is the nicest person on earth when he takes care of it but when he doesnt take care of it i think how can a person not want to take there meds so that they can lead normal lives.
Yes we have,My son is 10ys old and has bipolar and adhd and the kids at school have been teasing him and ; not because they know he has it; but just because he is a little different.He is a gentle soul and when kids are bulling littler kids ; he tells them ; hey that's not right; why are you beating this kiss up.Well the office and the principle know he has these things as the therapist comes to school and sees him in that setting.when he gets beat up or pushed or whatever ; the principle takes the other kids side as they are so called normal. They treat my son like he has a bad diseases and puts the blame always on him; He now hates to go to school ' when 6 months ago he loved it.IHe even says why do i have to be different; why should i even live..I am going to home school him as a lot of schools in Seattle have closed so they have no opening in other schools..He is on meds for this and is doing very well ; but with all the bulling he tells me that 1 day he will snap.. It;s not fair that because he has this he is stigmatized,,,, People should study these ailments before they judge as we are all human and all bleed red blood,,, good luck and hang in there it does get better,,,,,, mom in Seattle
I too am shocked as so called educated people.
I just limit telling people to my friends and close co-workers.
I have been treated since 1/2005; at first the diagnosis was depression. When I questioned the psychristist why he was using a mood-stabilizing drug on my third visit, he told me the true diagnosis was bipolar. It was a relief. At least, that explained the symptoms I had.
If I told some one the original diagnosis of depression, and they said "what do you have to be depressed about; snap out of it!, they were never told I was bipolar. Idiots! They can go jump into their own shadows.
With research and reading (Bipolar for Dummies and others), I got a much better understanding of the syndrome. When I did on-line research, even my mother got into the disease process. She remembered that her father was either depressed or had bipolar. She remembered his 'rages'. And she had forgotten this till I started research. I also have 3 bi-polar cousins. It makes talking about it much easier with our extended family.
And with therapy, it makes memories come back strongly, but after time and talking, it also makes it easier to cope.
Unfortunetly, I was then diagnosed as PTSS over childhood abuse.
But with my doctors, my meds and my therapy, I'm coping. I just don't tell a lot of people because of the stigma attached to mental disease.
Good luck. Don't be afraid to get the help you need. And don't be ashamed. Remember, you have bipolar syndrome; you are not bipolar. If it was cancer, you would not say: I am cancer, you would say, I have cancer. There is a fine distintion there, but it is so true.
Sweetie, I know a friend of mine and my family members that suffer from mental illnesses. They had to face discrimination to the fact that they had a mental illness. Sometimes they would get really sad and upset because other people would say things to them in a not so nice way just because they had a mental illness. I don't discriminate against anybody because I know it’s just a wrong thing to do and hurts the other person’s feelings. I know a classmate of mine who suffered from severe depression and everybody in my class was scared to get to know her. It wasn't because she was a bad person (she is the sweetest and kindest person in the world). It was because people were afraid to get close to her because she was so sick all the time and they only saw the sad and depressed side of her. I thought though if I could be friends with her, maybe I can help her and try to support her and make a difference in her life. Some people don't realize that if someone is suffering from a mental illness, friendship could be the key to their recovery. I just told my friend that keep saying to yourself "I am going to get through this and it doesn't matter what anybody else says. This is me and I am glad to be me. " The discrimination will not completely go away, but keep saying that you are a good person and also try to pray. Sometimes when someone is sad and down or when someone was discriminated or hurt or is suffering, I pray at night to everyone I know and the rest of the world because I know that things are going to be alright. You can also talk to your counselor too, sweetie because maybe they can give you some tips on how to cope. Hopefully, people realize that it doesn't matter what race, ethnicity, physical illness, mental illness, physical look, religion, or learning disability you have. It matters who you are inside.
my therapist is monitoring me for bipolar
when people found out that i have problems with my moods they completly changed from being really nice to really mean. they completly ignored me and thought I was some kind of psycho. When I was depressed they made it extra worse by not listening to what i said and left me alone most of the time. when I was high they kept telling me repeatadly they would not be my friend if i continued. i knew it was out of my control and that it wasnt my fault though. to boost my self esteem i tried to get involved with a different bunch of people who were uplifting and comforting in times of distress. everyone including me though i was a nutcase then i realised that i wasnt and that others out there are dealing with the same problems and are just going through a rough patch. I tell them that if they think im not a productive member of society no longer that they should try dealing with what i have been dealing with and that changed thier attitude a little. saying "Just dont worry about" it is not a solution and doesnt solve a thing. when i explained things more clearly to the person they understood more about what happens when you have an illness and were more supportive instead of lacking in knowlede and understanding and just riding you off as crazy.
I am Bipolar. I am stable on medication. I don't tell people right away that I have Bipolar. When it has come up, I have never felt this way because they already know me as an intelligent woman.
Here is my story. I only tell very few people of my bipolar/mood disorder. What hurt the most was that after I fearfully shared it with my long time friend, I noticed she stopped calling me , hanging out with me. She even speaks to me in a different way. But what can you do? I've learned not to share that with employers and even co-workers. ONly with family and friends who understand.
Worst part ...for me now...is the fear of losing the person i'm dating..who i care for so much...if I tell him the truth.
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