I Am Not My Illness
Friday November 21, 2008
Some people don't like it when people say "I'm bipolar" (it doesn't bother me, but to each his own). What bothers more people is when you tell someone you have bipolar disorder and immediately you are forever labeled. You're not just Jane Smith anymore, you're bipolar Jane Smith in that person's eyes.
For an intimate look into the feelings this kind of labeling causes, and words you can use when you face this kind of issue, read I Am Not My Illness by OklahomaRose.
Comments
I would LOVE to read it but the link just comes back to this article.
All fixed. Thanks for the head’s up!
Just this week, I said this to my pdoc – I have this illness, this illness does not have me. BRAVO!!
I have been diagnosed with severe depression due to life situations and placed on 120mg cymbalta. The medication is killing me. I have so many side effects-trembling, neck pain, sweating, tinnitus,increased appetite and weight greater panic problems. MY doctor disagrees problems from cymbalta; however, I put my foot down to start tapering off, Now 60mg and same symptoms. Will try 30mg next week if MD will give me a script. The doctor said nothing to me regarding the dangers of this drug. I truly think that the cymbalta is creating life threating issues with my health which leaves me very concerned. I am now convinced that the doctors do not know enough about the meds they prescribe for the patient and then tell the patient he/she is overreacting with the myriad of symptoms destroying one’s ability to live a normal life.
I guess that I am blessed.
I have wonderful people around me who never think of me as “bipolar Lee”. They just think of me as Lee. They love me, and respect me, and help me be the very best that I can be. Plus, they will not let me rest on the crutches of “I’m bipolar…..you just don’t understand”, or “I’m never going to get better”, or even (and this is my personal favorite) “poor me. I have bipolar disorder….and high blood pressure…..and I’m gay….and I’m single….and, and, and……this is all just too much for one person to handle”. The people in my life help me to make better choices with my thoughts, and with my feelings, so that I can take control of my life before the disorder takes control of me. I only wish, hope and pray that everyone can have such a great support system in their lives as I do in mine. Just look all around you.
I “am” bipolar.
I “have” mood swings.
What does an adjective matter?
I still take the same medications whether I “am” or “have” or “suffer”? I don’t care what others say about themselves, and I can say about myself what I please.