Rant!

[angelkiss]

I've been pondering on something that really has my melon tweeked, and I feel that I must get it out afore I explode.
I've heard of so many people being turned away by a pastor or the whole congregation all because they are bipolar.......Not only does this sadden me, it also makes me angry!
I have told so many people who have mis-understood this illness the following statement: "It's not like I wake up every morning and say: I'm gonna be bipolar today.......all those mood swings, impulsive episodes, and flow of 5 different emotions at one time.........they're the bomb............it's an illness that can't be helped!"
God didn't turn away ANYONE! If we are of God, then we shouldn't turn away anyone either! We are supposed to love one another....unconditionally. If a pastor or whoever turns someone away for having an illness, what kind of example is that?! What kind of imprint is that leaving for everyone else?! Most importantly, who are they to judge anyone else?! Only God has that right! Did God turn away the leper? Did He turn away the blind man? Did He turn away from Legion? NO! He showed compassion on each one, and a whole lot of others! He don't think that any one person is any better than the other, regardless of our flaws, our illnesses, etc........Quite frankly, neither should we!
If more of society would be more open-minded instead of treating us like we are contagious, they would find that we are people just like everyone else! We have hearts, we have souls, and we have our share of problems! Just because we may deal with things differently doesn't mean that we are any less of a person.
I really don't give a hoot what people think of me..........I'm just glad there is a me! Being a bipolar hasn't only given me heartache and sorrow.........It has helped me to tell my story, to help others who are fighting this same illness. If society can't deal with the fact that I am bipolar and that it's an illness that I can't help, they are missing out on a friend!

 

[Alive again]

AMEN!!! I am sorry that you have been treated poorly. I know that I live in fear of my clinical site or the board of nursing finding out about my diagnosis.

 

[sherr33]

So True Can I rant with you. I just found out I am BP2 in Jan and I just recently left the church my husband attended for 18 yrs and I was there for almost 5 yrs. The Pastor showed no compassion after we told him.
We think we may have found a church that is so much more compassion and we may have a ministry with people like me.

 

[angelkiss]

So True Can I rant with you. I just found out I am BP2 in Jan and I just recently left the church my husband attended for 18 yrs and I was there for almost 5 yrs. The Pastor showed no compassion after we told him.
We think we may have found a church that is so much more compassion and we may have a ministry with people like me.

Feel free to rant with me anytime!
I'm sorry that your pastor showed no compassion. If only they would open their hearts and minds to such things!
I am however, greatful that you have found a church that is compassionate and to have a ministry with those who stand with you is awesome!!
I pray that God will help the ministry grow and that you and your family will be blessed always!
s and es!!

 

[angelkiss]

So True Can I rant with you. I just found out I am BP2 in Jan and I just recently left the church my husband attended for 18 yrs and I was there for almost 5 yrs. The Pastor showed no compassion after we told him.
We think we may have found a church that is so much more compassion and we may have a ministry with people like me.

I'm sorry that you have to live with that fear all the time. I know that it's hard trying to keep it hidden away and feeling that no one will accept it that well if they found out.
My hubby's ex found out I was bipolar and threw a major fit and even went as far as asking my hubby if he ever "feared" me. I was irrate at finding this out! Now that she knows, she said that she don't want their little boy here if hubby's not here. As if I'm gonna go psycho or something. To beat it all, she works at a mental health facility and knows about bipolar.
Hubby keeps wanting to sue her for partial custody, and the thing I fear is them pulling up my old records when my illness was at it's worst. A good 4 years of totally bad records. There's things in there that even hubby don't know about. (Not due to harming someone else or anything) Just things that I'd rather not he know about my past. It was way long afore he knew me, and he can be judgemental even over past things. I really don't wanna have to answer a bunch of questions that are better left unanswered.
Everytime he mentions partial custody I cringe, for I know that my bipolar will be the first thing she brings up when she fights.

 

[Caligar]

Why don't you take medication?

 

[angelkiss]

Why don't you take medication?

I do take medication, and a lot of it.

 

[soundsalive]

I can't believe a church body would be so ill faced towards people with BP...

 

[angelkiss]

I can't believe a church body would be so ill faced towards people with BP...

It has truly has me baffled as well.

 

[spdnet75]

caligar, many of us take medication. I'm no expert but, medicine is not frowned upon.

It has been stated that the Rain Forests of South America may contain more species of life, that everything we have in documented history.

Medicine is not something that GOD or Jesus described as being sinful or detrimental to us.

-S

 

[angelkiss]

caligar, many of us take medication. I'm no expert but, medicine is not frowned upon.

It has been stated that the Rain Forests of South America may contain more species of life, that everything we have in documented history.

Medicine is not something that GOD or Jesus described as being sinful or detrimental to us.

-S

Thank you for stating that quite well.

 

[sherr33]

Angelkiss,
I just found out in Jan that I am BP2. Ever since then I have been trying to educate my family and my pastor and his wife. Ever since then the church has treated me like I have leporsy or something. It made me mad. What really topped it off for my husband about 2 weeks ago The pastor was preaching about the man with the unclean spirits he said they dont say that today they say mental disorders. I was mad and so was my husband and we havent been back since. It is sad I feel like this when I talk about what happened.

 

[Calgar]

caligar, many of us take medication. I'm no expert but, medicine is not frowned upon.

It has been stated that the Rain Forests of South America may contain more species of life, that everything we have in documented history.

Medicine is not something that GOD or Jesus described as being sinful or detrimental to us.

-S

Dosen't that solve the problem (per say)

 

[lemonflavor]

Dosen't that solve the problem (per say)

Are you bipolar?

 

[Alive again]

Dosen't that solve the problem (per say)

Some receive excellent help from meds, some receive partial help, and their are some despite trying all the meds that are minimally helped or not at all. This is an active area for medical research as they try to find the genes involved and new medications to help everyone.

 

[angelkiss]

I'm sorry that you have to live with that fear all the time. I know that it's hard trying to keep it hidden away and feeling that no one will accept it that well if they found out.
My hubby's ex found out I was bipolar and threw a major fit and even went as far as asking my hubby if he ever "feared" me. I was irrate at finding this out! Now that she knows, she said that she don't want their little boy here if hubby's not here. As if I'm gonna go psycho or something. To beat it all, she works at a mental health facility and knows about bipolar.
Hubby keeps wanting to sue her for partial custody, and the thing I fear is them pulling up my old records when my illness was at it's worst. A good 4 years of totally bad records. There's things in there that even hubby don't know about. (Not due to harming someone else or anything) Just things that I'd rather not he know about my past. It was way long afore he knew me, and he can be judgemental even over past things. I really don't wanna have to answer a bunch of questions that are better left unanswered.
Everytime he mentions partial custody I cringe, for I know that my bipolar will be the first thing she brings up when she fights.

OOPS! Sorry, Sherr my comment was meant for Alive again I dunno how I managed on clicking on your name again. Ack! My mind goes tooooo fast sometimes!

 

[angelkiss]

Angelkiss,
I just found out in Jan that I am BP2. Ever since then I have been trying to educate my family and my pastor and his wife. Ever since then the church has treated me like I have leporsy or something. It made me mad. What really topped it off for my husband about 2 weeks ago The pastor was preaching about the man with the unclean spirits he said they dont say that today they say mental disorders. I was mad and so was my husband and we havent been back since. It is sad I feel like this when I talk about what happened.

I can see where you're coming from. It's soooooo frustrating trying to get through to others..............And as far as what that pastor had to say.......I think he needs to buy a dictionary
It's heart-wrenching knowing that the churches are turning away people with mental disorders. Perhaps, if they would catch up to the times, they would know that it's not demonic possession (like some believe) but in fact, an illness that can't be helped. There's a huge difference there.

 

[tapero]

s

 

[Calgar]

Hi Calgar,

It is nice of you to show concern and want to learn more about bipolar.

Many times people with bipolar are started on particular drugs; if they are effective then they stay on them, but many times, it takes a while to stabalize a person trying many differnt drugs or combinations of drugs. By that of course it depends on how they are doing at that moment in time. This takes time.

With bipolar there's the possibility that the meds aren't effective, but now a days it's fairly common that they are for some, but not for all of course.

There are many factors to consider. The struggles the person faced while young, just as one without bipolar would struggle, it's a struggle to a person with bipolar, so we can go through phases where the medication isn't helping. Stress can set off manias, or other problems, or depression or withdrawal.

Also, depending on the person, a person can be manic, even though medicated, this oftens frequently and they can also be extremely depressed.

It all depends on the person. I suffered with it severely some time back, hospitalized the whole bit, couldn't control the mania's which I liked least even though they can be okay and fun at times.

So medication doesn't guarantee stablization.

Though I don't want to discourage anyone with bipolar on this forum, I wanted to let you know these things.

For those who aren't stable, they go to their doctors, who will change their medication, and it takes time for the meds to kick in and see if they will work, and if it doesn't then something else is tried.

There is always help and hope and also we know God, and He knows us and loves and cares for us deeply. He gave me hymns in my head when I was extremely stressed at one point. He revealed his presence to me that way one time for about a week, it was like a choir in my head, it was awesome.

Blessings,
tapero

Ive already learned about bipolar disorder. Im curious to why most people don't take topamax (It's by far the most successful drug for dealing with bipolar disorder, even if its of label). The side effects can be troublesome, but it seems that bipolar disorder is having a serious impact on your life (lives).
Has anyone here tried Topamax?
(To answer lemonflavor's question, I am not bipolar)

 

[angelkiss]

Ive already learned about bipolar disorder. Im curious to why most people don't take topamax (It's by far the most successful drug for dealing with bipolar disorder, even if its of label). The side effects can be troublesome, but it seems that bipolar disorder is having a serious impact on your life (lives).
Has anyone here tried Topamax?
(To answer lemonflavor's question, I am not bipolar)

If you're not bipolar, then how do you know it works so well? How do you know that who is and isn't on Topomax?
And, what does that have to do with the subject of my thread? My thread is a rant about how some of the churches are treating people with mental illness.........namely Bipolar. It has nothing to do with medication.