If Only They Knew

[KateMTT]

Hi, everyone,

I am a college art student, completing a project about the many trials people face and yet may keep hidden in fear of harming how society perceives them. I am hoping to receive anonymous feedback from people going through various struggles, Bipolar Disorder being one of them, so that I can help decrease the fear and stigma related to mental illness. If you could please volunteer a few minutes of your time to share your experience with me, I would so appreciate it.

That being said, my question is: What do you wish those around you understood about your condition?

Thank you and God bless you, in both your struggle with Bipolar Disorder and with every other aspect of your life,

Kate

 

[Loven God]

They can not catch bipolar for us and it won't rub off on them and we all are not dangers . We just want to live our life in peace with out being judged .

 

[CraftyTurtle]

Do not ask me "How are you?" Chances are you don't want to hear the truth. Just say "Hi" or "Good Morning".

We all have our good days and our bad days. But our bad days can be really really bad.

It is not a character flaw, nor a weakness.

I did not get this way from illicit drugs, alcohol or an abusive childhood. None of those have featured in my life.

Whoever you are, you do not know what it is like to be me.

And the one that really makes me crazy: NOBODY wants to fight for our rights. A lot of us have experienced injustices because of mental illness, and it seems we are on our own.
Maybe we need a Mental Illness Pride festival.

 

[KateMTT]

Thank you for the thoughtful replies, Loven_God and CraftyTurtle. I think you're right, Tutle, that it is heartbreaking that no one wants to fight for rights within the sphere of mental illness, especially--as Loven_God said--within the Christian community. I hope to incorporate your replies in my project to bring about a changed mindset regarding mental struggles, at least in the small world of my college campus.

God bless,

Kate

 

[Odetta]

That with the right medication, I'm actually quite stable. Sometimes more stable that people without the diagnosis. I hate when people joke about bipolar, labeling some person who's out of control as bipolar and acting like there is no hope for them. Then they remark at how mellow and calm I am, and I think, if you only knew how hard won that is.

 

[CraftyTurtle]

That with the right medication, I'm actually quite stable. Sometimes more stable that people without the diagnosis. I hate when people joke about bipolar, labeling some person who's out of control as bipolar and acting like there is no hope for them. Then they remark at how mellow and calm I am, and I think, if you only knew how hard won that is.

LOL - that happened to me once - someone referred to a moody person's angry outburst as bipolar, and I rolled my eyes and said sarcastically "Gee, I'm glad I'M not bipolar," to which those in the group who KNEW I am, had a laugh with me.

Humour gets me through this life. Thank God I can laugh at myself. If I couldn't, then everyone else would.