An Inappropriate Illness
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Professor Mark Grimsley's article An Inappropriate Illness describes his experiences in the academic world where he decided to be open about having bipolar disorder. Particularly valuable for readers who have told bosses and co-workers they have BP is the section outlining the memo he sends to each new department head. The memo includes an overview of bipolar disorder, a description of the symptoms, and most importantly, an action plan to follow if others suspect he might be having a manic episode. The comments after the article are worth reading as well.
Comments
I think it is most brave to tell fellow workers that one is bipolar. Although I did not behave any differently after I
told them than before, they immediately became leery of me and sometimes seemed to be imitating walking on eggshells. Lose a leg and people are all compassion. Lose a part of your brain functioning or have to look a tad zombiesh sometimes becasue of the medication and people just don’t want to here about.
However, when they are obnoxious and downright mean, that is not seen as any problem because they have not been diagnosed.
I am usually very discrete about what I tell people and who I tell.Life is difficult enough to not fuel my paranoia.
Good idea. Don’t know if I am ready to do it myself.
Judy