What do you do?

[quietpraiyze]

What do you do when someone confuses your diagnosis with another diagnosis? Especially when the other diagnosis is considered very destructive/violent and at times verbally abusive? Do you correct the person/people or do you just remain silent?

If you correct it, how do you correct it? What do you say?

 

[grandvizier1006]

Any person that gives you a diagnosis at all that isn't a medical professional probably isn't worth associating with. And if they ask nicely, like, "Do you have XXX?" and they sincerely mean to ask because their worried about you, just say, "No, I have something else," and if they ask what it is just say you'd rather not talk about it.

What exactly did they confuse it for? Since this is in the bipolar thread, I take it has something to do with that? What did they think it was? (I don't have bipolar disorder, but I'm kind of moody sometimes).

 

[redblue22]

Few people want correcting, so I don't. Why answer questions they don't ask?

or you could say, "No, I'm not borderline or psychopathic."

if you're me, "No, my mental illness does not cause me to be a jerk. I do that on my own."

What is the motivation here anyway? Something you want to get?

.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Thank you both for your responses. Sometimes I just need a reality check as to whether or not I'm being overly sensitive. I just want them to understand that they're talking about two different illnesses. I just think they should be clear on that because there are a lot of us out here affected by those illnesses and it's hard enough without people tagging more things on to us when they may not know what they're talking about in the first place. There's a big difference between a brain disorder and a personality disorder. I also don't want to come across like the mentally ill police (if you know what I mean) but it is important to me. I have resolved next time I will gently correct them. Thanks

 

[Gracybelle]

I know what you mean...I think : ) Personally, I'm a bit guarded, there's a stigma with Mental Illness. We tend to go directly to people hearing voices, psychiatric hospitals and straight jackets. When I tell people I have ADHD - ok, PTSD - understandable, and Bipolar type 2 - they question my Psychiatrist, his testing methods & education, misdiagnosis? No one knows there are various types - they thought of Charlie Sheen, Carrie Fisher, Sinead O'Connor. Families don't always appreciate us announcing we have Mental Illness in the Family Tree. Some friends treat us a little differently, just something you can feel. I try and keep it to those I know are actually concerned/interested [the others give me a migraine]

 

[Gracybelle]

An encouraging word ~ my grown kids : Son (22) and Daughter (19), have a different experience. They both have Bipolar type 2 (++++) & are very open. Their generation seems more likely to get diagnosed earlier and they know quite a few with Bipolar disorder. Infact, my son sent a tweet announcing his diagnosis <I have a Bipolar cupcake with ADHD sprinkles>

 

[angelkiss]

As someone who was in denial of having mental illness after the first diagnosis, I had a hard time talking to others about it. Once I learned about my own illnesses and started seeking treatment as well as, doing research, I began to educate others. This was important for me considering I was around a lot of people and if I had a boo-radily moment, I would rather they be warned ahead of time, rather than left shaking their heads and wondering what just happened. If someone happened to get it wrong, I corrected them in a nice way. This was my way of educating them a bit more on the subject so they could possibly avoid making that mistake with someone else in the future.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Yeah I think it's important to educate people about mental illness. I just don't want to be over bearing but I hear ya!

 

[Loven God]

I just let it go . But I do not have a problem with telling anyone about my bipolar if they want to know .

 

[parsley]

Be ready with an answer, like a PR person would. Figure out what you want disclosed, and what you want to keep to yourself.

If you decide not to clarify, then people will carry gossip out into broader networks, and may distort the truth. Try to give them enough of a steer that they won't spread false information about you.

I agree that sometimes it's not worth correcting them; but these days people post things online about each other, and you may find a whole convoluted story about yourself online. Clear it up early.

 

[redblue22]

I think I'm just going to go with that "I'm a creative artist and writer" answer.