Stigmatizing Labels or Just a Light Approach?
Thursday April 23, 2009
How do you reference having this disorder? I don’t mean What is Bipolar Disorder? or How to Explain Bipolar Disorder to Others. I’m asking about titles … labels. Are you bipolar? Do you have bipolar disorder? Are you someone with bipolar disorder? Does it matter to you?
We sometimes get friendly reminders from some who are offended if we write something like “Bipolar Mom” instead of “Mom with Bipolar Disorder.” Yet we regularly see folks call themselves “beepers” or “bpers”.
So is this just the usual continuum of varying opinions? Or is this more of the idea that injecting a little levity in a personal conversation keeps things light, but in formal writing we should guard very closely against possible stigmatizing? Maybe both? This is something I think we should explore as a community towards a more in depth article so what are your thoughts? ~Kimberly
Comments
I feel the individual should disclose if they are bipolar. It is their business. For myself, I don’t care who knows,but it was not always that way. When first diagnosed with any mental illness I was ashamed. I definitely do not feel that way now. The more I can share & possibly help someone the better.
Your site is a life saver. Thanks
I am an adult who was diagnosed at a young age, with an illness called Bipolar Disorder. I do not mind when anyone who has Bipolar Disorder, uses shortcuts like Bp’rs, etc. We have earned the right to some levity, and to not be so formal all the time – especially in writing such as forums, support groups. However, I do believe that the stigma of having this illness is highlighted when we say to the general public, “I am Bipolar.” I am not Bipolar! It is not who I am. It is a medical condition I have. Think about it, do we call those afflicted with cancer, “Cancer’s,” HIV afflicted – “HIV’ers, and so on? No, we don’t. These are also medical conditions with which individuals are diagnosed with. Also, as someone with Bipolar Disorder, I feel that we create an injustice not only to ourselves but, also to mental healthcare professionals, and advocates. For me, telling someone that “I have,” or “I suffer from,” Bipolar, seems to open an earnest dialogue with people who are not well-versed or have a total misconception towards those with the disorder, much like anyone would do with any other medical diagnosis. I like to separate myself from that stigma of just another “crazy” person, rather than someone who is ill.
To B or not to B a BP label. That is the question my fellow sufferers. More than the labels for Bipolar or any other mental health condition, the bigger problem I think is the LABEL ‘MENTAL ILLNESS’. The medically and politically correct term should be ‘BRAIN DISORDER’. The words ‘Mental illness’ conjure up a vision of a mental-asylum to the lay person and makes the sufferer sound like a dangerous or loony person. Neurochemical imbalance is definitely a brain disorder and we are not trying to cover up anything here.
Reading all the intelligent, sensitive, warm, informative articles and comments here does not give me the impression that we are mentally ill people. I have seen much worse ‘Normal’ people. I am hammering the idea of using the term ‘Brain Disorder’ into my psychiatrist, GP and those around me. Please Join me in spreading this absolute TRUTH around.
I prefer to refer to my BP as “I have a mood disorder.” I think identifying w/ a label such as “I am… ” projects a disorder having me as opposed to something I deal with among many other areas of my life as being a full time mom, grandma, student, employee, etc.
At the beginning I was labeled manic depressive. (I had no say)Thanks to soeone later I was labeled bipolar (thoughts of both the north & south poles)Taking manic from my label helped when explaining my illness to the uninformed. The term depressive seems to be understood by most, yet actually misunderstood when referring to clinically depressed.Now most menta health advocates prefer that I am not bipolar after all; I am a person with a bipolar illness……..More later.
I used to not care about telling people I thought I could feel comfortable and trust that I had BP. I’ve learned otherwise. At this point, I would pretty much avoid telling anyone except family. Once it’s out there, you have no control over it and what people may do with it, especially the so called “frenemies”. It’s too bad, because I’m not ashamed of myself for having BP.I thouht that people would see that I have good character and have handled it pretty well; in otherwise, I don’t really act much different than everybody else (how I feel may be another matter). It’s sad but my advice: Keep this information to yourself except with family and those who need to know. I wish it wasn’t this way, but my experience tells me that it is. Also, you don’t know who is close now that may become an “enemy” later. I personally would like to be seen and understood for who I am, but the cost of this is too high, and I’ve learned, not worth it.
I was misdiagnosed for 15 years, and in all that time I had no knowledge of what was wrong with me. I went from doctor to doctor, in and out of hospital, THEY were treating me for post natal depression. Until finally they gave me a label….and I was so glad to be told ..you have a bipolar disorder….BP2….So I am very grateful to have a label and finally understand what was happening to me.
I am bipolar. I have bipolar disorder. I have a brain disorder…interesting that I never say I am brain disorder.
I don’t try to separate the disease from me. I am also a grateful recovering alcoholic, drug addict and food addict. I do 12-step meetings. I identify as someone who doesn’t want to pick up a drink, a drug, an attitude, or a twinky. These are things about me that I am quite open about. I need to be. That is my safety net.
I need to be open enough so that those around me know when I am “off” because I don’t usually see that. I am like the picture on the wall…everyone in the room can see that it is hanging crooked but the picture itself just doesn’t have a clue.
It’s not about the terms I use (but I do like BP’er…never heard that one before). Those words are but tools that help me tell on myself to keep me safe. I need those words to convey to others what is up with me so they see the red flags that I often miss.
Stigma? Well, I certainly didn’t give a rip if someone saw me waiting for my drug dealer (and knew I was waiting for my dealer) in their neighborhood at any hour of the day or night. I didn’t care who saw me leaving the bar drunk or the package store loaded up with booze. I didn’t care how many times you saw me hit the all you can eat buffet and overload my plate. Other people’s opinions of me are none of my business. I have to concentrate on the things that will keep me healthy and on track AND on finding out when I am off the beam. Screw the rest of it!!!
I am BP…I really don’t care who knows it.I make the most of having it.I joke a lot…people tell me I should do stand-up but I don’t know about that…but I am very up front about it. When someone is being mean and says “You are crazy.” I reply ” yep…100% card carrying BP with psychotic tendencies ” then I smile evilly and say ” Now that you know that, do you really WANT to make me mad ?” Then that person gets a ” oops..” look on their face and leaves me alone. My friends crack up.I think its funny that people are sooo afraid of what they don’t understand so I don’t hesitate to spook them a bit.If a simple statement scares them, then they are just stupid and not worth worrying about.
My grandson is 7.He and I discuss mental illness. A lot in the family so he should start understanding it so he can understand us. If he has questions, we talk about it.He is very bright so are conversations get deep.
He is of a new generation so I believe if we can educate the young ones coming along, then it will be easier on them to be compassionate to their peers and others having difficulties.
Hi! I was diagnosed w/Bi-Polar Disorder approx. 11 yrs. ago. At first I was very open w/my diagnosis. I felt if people saw me living a full & happy life, they would see that there was no reason to stigmatize(?) people w/this disorder. I also felt that if there were people w/Bi-Polar or people who knew people w/this disorder I could be of some help. BIG MISTAKE!! I eventually lost the 2 jobs I was working, people I thought were my friends, really weren’t, & my family-talk about shame! It was the biggest mistake I ever made. I NEVER tell anyone I have Bi-Polar, unless I’m in a safe enviroment i.e. a support group, clinician, etc. The stigmatism that comes w/mental health issues has cost me too much.
I also agree w/ans.#2, I am NOT a Bp’er, I am a person who has been diagnosed w/ Bi-Polar Disorder. Bi-Polar DOES NOT define who I am as a person. I am who I am no matter what disease/disorder I may have.
Pls. understand, I am NOT ashamed w/the diagnosis of Bi-Polar Disorder. I live a wonderful life and I’m truly appreciative of all the love & support I have received by clinicians, my husband, some family & a few friends-but I won’t risk my happiness again.
Thanks for letting me share.
i don’t mind being called bipolar. in fact i call myself that. and i don’t mind a little levity about being bipolar. i know some people do, though, so many it is better to keep such connotations out of written text.
When I was first diagnosed BP it make me feel very strange and my family doesn’t understand yet about this illnes,they think that sometimes I do things just because I’m just spoil I’m 52!!!!!!!!!!!!!.At my job (I’m working for about 1 year)few people knows about it, because in my country is very wierd to talk about any mental disease.
I have Bipolar disorder but will refer to it in much lighter terms with those that I know I share having this. I do not typically bring it up when talking to other people or in public due to the lack of understanding that is part of a lot of peoples views regarding Bipolar. I have a lot of my immediate family (sisters,etc.) that do not believe I have bipolar that I use it as an excuse to get out of working and many other things only those closer to me and fellow BP’s can really tell that I have it and that is the way I like to keep it there is so much of a negative connotation or belief about being Bipolar within society especially around where I live that I don’t dare talk openly about having it.
I generally tell people I have “problems with my nerves” if they suspect any problem and leave telling people I have bipolar disorder on a need-to-know basis. I’d have to develop a real trust in a person to let him/her in on my personal problems.
I can identify with the feeling of being labeled. I have Lupus (along with depression and anxiety) and have often had others who have been diagnosed with it call themselves “lupus people” or “loopies”, etc. No, I am neither! I have Lupus. Some people like the stigma(?) of titles. This is only my opinion: maybe they crave attention, or just need something to call themselves. That’s fine for them. As always, I just happen to have the disease, it doesn’t have me.
I have friends who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When I first heard of the term, I checked out information for myself. Actually, that’s what I do with many things I hear about. And using about.com is a very good place to start!
Lastly, I don’t question people about what they “have”. I find that people who have bipolar disorder, lupus, etc. and are willing to talk about it will do just that.. bring it up themselves.
I’ve always been open to my family and friends about my BP2 diagnosis and medications, without any negatives from doing so and have developed a good support system. However, after having one upsetting episode (manic/anger/hurt feelings) at work two years ago, my supervisors are quite sensitive and cautious of what might overwhelm and trigger me. It is lovely that I’m treated with concern by my employers, yet it would be better if they thought of me first as a person with normal behavior patterns that can be trusted to do any the job successfully…! and by the by BP2.
BP…..hmmm. Well, I am a man, husband, father, son, brother, friend, etc. I am more than the sum of all my parts. And, one of my parts is BP. For me personally, I don’t share it with many people. Mainly because they will tell their own story in their own way about the label. It’s what helps people keep their reality in place. So, for me I keep it out of my professional world. And, in my personal world on a relationship by, relationship basis. Also, I don’t suffer at all I deal with that part of who I am. And, for me I don’t share just as if I had cancer or, diabetes I wouldn’t share. But, when I do share I’m no longer sheepish or embarrassed. Instead I look at it this way, would I be embarrassed to have cancer, a heart condition or, some other condition? NO. So, why should this be any different. It’s not. But, I’ll say this don’t underestimate people. They statistically will have some connection with someone in their lives that shares your experience and usually have some understanding of BP. Those that don’t well then it’s their loss for being uneducated.
B.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder eight years ago. I have only told my immediate family about my condition. They treat me differently now. I do not believe my friends or coworkers would be understanding. I have a high level government security clearance and my disorder was flagged during my latest background investigation. Fortunately my psychiatrist had dealt with this before and was able to convince them I was not a security risk. I continue to live in the shadows, fighting the side effects of my medications. Life is pretty bleak.
I am very careful who I disclose my bipolar to. Unfortunately, my 2 teenage girls have not been discreet and have told their friends. I live in a small town and gossip spreads. I often wish I could move back to the suburbs where I was anonymous. This label has great affected my abilty to secure jobs locally. I am now a “former” substitute teacher. I also am required, thanks to the local police, to have a waiver signed by my doctor every time I renew my driver’s licence.
I am a survivor of a Traumatic Brain Injury, now with the diagnosis of Cyclothymia as a result. There were many difficult and hurtful years that passed before the currect diagnosis was made. Going from one med. to another, doctor to doctor, until I read about Cyclothymia and showed my doctor what I was feeling.
So, be your own advocate. Educate yourself and others about BP, MH/MR, BI(brain injury), whatever. It’s not who you are, you just happen to have that. You can still be the BEST you can be with that. Look stigmatism in the eye & say, “Gotcha!”
I am bi polar, it is something that I feel like I should be ashamed of. I don’t know why. Someone who is diabetic, asthmatic, has heart problems, etc, do not feel ashamed of their ailment. I am tho. Why? Probably because when bi polar is referred to it is always referred to in the very manic state. How some people are very crazy with it. Over sexed, over spending, over everything. I however have never been like that. But being bi polar is hard to live with and getting others to understand what being bi polar is all about is impossible. So I don’t try. I just say I have a mental problem and let them think I am crazy. I have just developed the attitude. “this is the way I am, take me or leave me, that is your problem.” But at the same time I ache inside because I would like to be understood for the good and the bad qualities that make me Me.
I was diagnosed with BP about 10 years ago. I usually dont tell people unless I build a trust with them first or after a while of building a friendship and that person can see me for MEEEE I might let them in. I do not say I have bipolar, I prefer to just say I have a chemical imbalance. I never let it out professionally. I lost a job over it once, bad mistake. Even though I want people to see me for who I really am, I have to take in effect just how much of the disorder controls my brain vs. it just being MEEE. I like the saying about the picture on the wall, everyone sees its crooked, but you dont. Thats a good way to put it. I can usually tell most of my off days and they are hell, but I put on my “FACE”, take my meds and try my best to make it through the day. Im not really sure what a “Good” day is? Is it when BP doesnt control you at all, you can control yourself? I havent figured that one out yet. My left negative brain fights my right positive brain constantly, so its hard to say who I really am. But like I said, I prefer to call it a chemical imbalance. I dont go into the meds part. ive tried just about everything out there. Id definitely scare people off with that one.LOL
I was diagnosed with bipolar 3 years ago at age 41 after 25 years of not knowing what was wrong with me. I also have ADHD,PTSD,substance abuse disorder, and anxiety. To me they just kind of all go together because the symptoms greatly overlap. I had a miserable life before being diagnosed and getting the right treatment. I lost jobs, was in several abusive relationships, lost custody of my son, lost my professional license etc……So, the moral of this story is, I dont give a s— what anyone thinks. If they stimgmatize any type of mental disorders they are plain and simply IGNORANT.
I’ve always been thick skinned, and now I’m to the point where I don’t care what anyone thinks, including my family. Every one has issues as far as I’m concerned, and if your not “labeled”, you are the abnormal one. They may not have a mental illness, but they have issuses. To me, ignorance and stupidity IS a mental illnes.
In the past I have always been very careful about who I told. I worked as a nurse in a doctors office. On my last day of work I told the Dr I worked for who was shocked and said she would never have guessed. I attribute that to a good medication regiment, but that is besides the point. Two and a half months ago I moved my family down to an island off the coast of Panama. Here the “gringo” community is very understanding and nonjudgemental. I am learning for the first time how to open myself up and let people see more of who I really am. I refer to it as having and never suffering from because although BP can cause pain and strife at times I believe I have been blessed with seeing the world through eyes with a greater appreicaion of life when things are good. Nicknames don’t bother me when they come from another person who has BP. But from anyone else it would hurt me greatly.
I am a recovering alcoholic and a veteran with severe PTSD and Bipolar Type I rapid cycling (Severe). I often, at AA meetings, mention these facts and make it known I will help those with these disorders.
There are those who critize me for getting off subject (AA) but I get a huge number of people who call me who don’t want it known they are BiPolar or have killed and are alcoholic and/or drug addicts. I can help for being a BiPolar Alcholic is different from being a “normal” alcoholic. Having the mark of Cain also leads to drinking. Combine the two and you have a lot of suicides. I’m 100% disabled from the VA and SS so I have no boss to worry about. Helping others like myself is how I help myself. I’m no more ashamed of being biPolar than I am of my diabeties.
I haven’t really integrated the diagnosis into my life yet. I am afraid if everyone knows, I will become “that person”. I was guilty of these thoughts myself, the media portrays bipolar disorder as pure psychotic mania, never depression which it is most of the time. How can I expect people to understand when the only thing that hits the news is when someone is saying “i used to be a crazy mess but now i have these pills and i’m just like you”. It hasn’t really worked that way for me and it’s hard to find literature on bipolar depression because society doesn’t try to cure what it can hide.
i am not ashamed to be bipolar – what is, is. i and others thot i was ‘a bit off,’ so it was good to put a name to it. i got a job with the county after i disclosed bp on the application – equal opp decision? if i expect that i may have a relationship with someone, i tell them up front. if they aren’t comfortable, that’s their problem. at least they know why i get ‘weird’ sometimes. i will say manic-depressive if they look quizzical.
I have bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed 7 years ago. In the beginning, I only told my family that I had BP. Uncertain what other people would say about me, so,, I didn’t tell them about my disorder. I am still selective who I tell about my having BP. I find that too many people are still judgemental about people having mental illness. I’m not ashamed of having BP. I struggle with my illness erveyday. I don’t want to have to deal with people who don’t understand that having Bipolar Disorder is no differrent than having hert disease. And, we need to be treated that way.
I hate being called “bipolar”. I have a disorder that is called bipolar. You wouldn’t tell someone who has cancer that they are cancer. Doesn’t make sense to me. I do believe the clarity, for me, is worth the distinction.
It was pointed out to me that it offends some people to say they “are” bipolar or schizoaffective, etc. The person noted that we would not say that so-and-so is cancerous.I understand this, and I try to honor this idea. However, I consider myself a bp wife or a wife of bp. Honestly, it probably depends on the day, but I try not to be too sensitive.
There’s a huge difference to me when
I say “I am Bipolar” as opposed to saying “I have Bipolar.” Bipolar doesn’t define me as a person it is just something I suffer from, and have been since 1987. At first I was dx’d with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, then Major Depression and finally I got labeled with Bipolar Disorder. I prefer using the words
“Bipolar,” rather than manic depressive.
When I was 12, my best friend told me her father had manic depression. I had no idea what it was and neither did my family. Would you believe, I was NOT allowed to hang out with her anymore b/c my mom and dad thought I could have been in “danger” if the dad went “crazy.”
Years later after I became properly diagnosed, I attended a local depression and manic depression group. Who do I see there? My old best friend’s father, who my family and I were so afraid of! I never did
tell him that story but I became friends with him and his 2nd wife, whom actually “ran” the meeting. I don’t tell people I have Bipolar unless the subject comes up because I don’t think it’s important to tell
people. Would someone find it necessary to inform me, or others that they suffer from Diabetes? I doubt it unless the subject came up.
I take my meds everyday, work my program and I haven’t been in a hospital since 1996! I consider myself actually in remission with Bipolar. I know it will never go away, but with the right combo of meds and therapy I can keep it under
control and under wraps!
I agree with Mark completely. I believe the less people know, the better your life is and you are treated like everyone else, without stigma. People are cruel and ignorant. Protect yourself. I personally feel I have an illness. I hate being called bipolar.
I was just recently diagnosed and I am quite relieved. Finally an answer for the up and down emotional hell I have gone through. Finally some help for the moods that I have known weren’t right, for the uncontrollable anger, irritability and depression.
But yet, when I first told a friend, and was joking around about it, he said “should you really be making fun of it like that?” Well why not? what else am I going to do with it? Why keep it a secret? People generally think BPers are ‘crazy’, but wait– “you seem normal??”
So yes, I use the label and I don’t care. I think it shows that BP isn’t what people have believed it to be. I am not a circus freak show. I have this illness, but I am still ‘normal’. Imagine that!
I have bipolar disorder
I am bipolar. Simple statement. The sad fact is most people look at that and cringe and immediately assume I am crazier than a bedbug. They associate that term with murdering whacko. I have never labeled myself. I do say that I have a disfunction, disorder, mental illness called bipolar when the need arises. I only tell friends that need to know. Am I ashamed of who I am of who this person is inside me? No, not by a long shot. I actually feel I am gifted in some strange ways. (nope not manic folks) Unfortunately in our society you can’t go around flaunting these things, calling yourself your own mental label. Your employer doesn’t get it and some of your family and friends don’t get it. The fun part starts when they want explanations and when you explain they give you that blank stare of supposed understanding. Some folks get this and some don’t. Sadly for us we remain in that provebial closet until mental illess is understood as an illness and not viewed as something horrible and scary. Until then I can’t go around calling myself the BP Mom or flaunting it. I would scare off half the neighborhood and then some. HA!
I have heard people say that you shouldn’t call someone “bipolar”, but rather should say that they have “bipolar disorder”, just as you wouldn’t say, “Oh that person is cancer”… they HAVE cancer. On the other hand we call people diabetics, HIV positive, schizophrenics – so who knows what the proper etiquette is? I have no problem with people referring to me as bipolar. I’ve spoken openly about it since I was diagnosed 5 years ago (though apparently, I’ve had it since I was 15 – I’m 43 now). The only problem I would have is if people who know about it ONLY think of me as “bipolar” and forget about all the other things that I am.
I tend to shy away from referring to someone as being a ‘bipolar’. It is something the person has, not what they are. On the other hand, I don’t feel so picky about myself.
Even so, I usually say that I “have bipolar disorder” rather than “I’m bipolar.”
I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says, “Next Mood Swing In Just 6 Minutes”. That about sums it up for me. I have bipolor II disorder which is maintained. I have not had an episode in two years. I am also going through peri-menopause which in many ways mimics bipolar disorder. The peri-menapause has been gentle with me, thank goodness.
I only tell people who need to know, like my college proffessors, family members, close friends. I am a very private person, and it has been my experiance that when you tell people who really don’t know me I get this look like I am trying to make them feel sorry for me, or the look as what do you want from me.
My esteemed bp hubbie never wants me to disclose, but he loses more friends that way! I feel that most people are more willing to understand when his moods are combative and just plain nasty, if they know what’s causing the problem, than if they just think he’s being a jerk.
I am a mother of 17 year-old son who was diagnosed for Bipolar last year. I never knew or heard about it before, first-the name sounds very interesting but later when I search thru the internet, that name turns to be so scary. We are living in Asia and mental illness is like a demon, people who is mentally sick would be labelled. They would be afraid of getting around with us, they think that mental illness is a deadly virus (may be more dealy than swine flu….???)and contagious. This make us afraid of letting people know about our son’s health problem. My son is also ashamed of his illness, he is withdrawn from his friend, he lost his self-esteem, self confidence and motivation because one of his friends mocks him he is stupid (he is smart and creative actually, he was always one of the top ten best students at school) but he changes a lot after he gets this illness. He turns to be so low in responding, looks sleepy and no energy every morning due to his medication, lacks of concentration, poor memory due to the side effect of ECT. It really breaks my heart to see him like this. I wish we could live in a society which accepts all kind of people with any condition, mentally or physically disabled. I myself do not agree if Bipolar is called mental illness, I prefer to have it named mood disorder due to chemical imbalences in the brain.It is really not fair
to be judged as mentally ill because my son still can function well.
I was first ill with this when I was 9 and I thought for many years I was just different and even mad!Therefore I was delighted and relieved when I was given the label “manic depressive” or “bi-polar” because it explained so much.
I guess I do need to clarify something….I have been asked (basically) why I can be “flip” about having BP..Well, I have been in mental health care since 1968 !! Guess I have been down this road so long that it just doesn’t affect me the way it does the newbies.
At our local MH clinic I am the long term person. There isn’t a soul there that was there when I started. I have an awesome caseworker who has put up with me for over 3 years. Usually I chase off the others. This young lady is a keeper. I hope all of you can have someone like her !!
I even wear the absurd T-Shirts with funny sayings that suit my mood.
It never bothered me what I was called but then I got sick with A.R.D.S. (Adult/Accute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and it became important to the staff. Not only because it told them what meds I’d been on but they started to treat me with kid-gloves!
I realized the medical community saw the disease NOT the person and wanted to act as if that was more in control. (They were only right until they put back on different meds.)
So, I guess, that you need to have at least one person who knows you and they should be reachable – you just never know when they might be needed to savve you from you or someone’s bias.
I feel that the stigma attached to “having” bipolar is on the person who has a problem with the disorder. Yes it is a mental disorder, but I agree with the others about it being a brain disorder. I have bipolar, I am not bipolar…My teenage son on the other hand resents “being” bipolar. We have yet to get him to see it the other way. We keep trying.
First, I’d like to say that you do not hear “Manic-Depressive” too much anymore. That term always seemed to bother me. Maybe because it sounded like you were always in one or the other state. Myself, I tell people I “have” bi-polar disorder. Those with cancer don’t tell people I’m cancer, they say they “have” cancer. It should be the same way for those of us suffering with bi-polar disorder. Thanks for asking.
I don’t care if anyone knows I’m bipolar, but I admit I am more diligent about whom I tell about my disorder. Not because I am ashamed of it, but because BP has reached almost elitist status (the Hollywood disease of the month)…and with that, the seriousness of BP is diminished. And I don’t want to be diminished by anyone!
I do refer to myself as, “bipolar”, and sometimes as a, “beeper”. I admit that I picked up the, “beeper” title from the Daily Strength forum. There are some of us that have strong evidence that the, “trigger” for BP came so early that we showed strong signs even as an infant. For me, how do I separate BP from my base personality? To me, it IS a major part of my base personality. So, when people get upset with me for saying that, “I’m bipolar”, instead of “having” the disorder, I feel like they are trying to speak for me on my personal experience. I don’t get angry with people over it, because I understand, but it doesn’t truly seem fair to try and pressure me to say that I “have” it, rather than, “I am bipolar.” IMHO.
I attend a bipolar/depression support group. These are some things I have heard. I am a person with bipolar. I have medically managed bipolar. I am a person dealing with bipolar. I have bipolar illness. I am recovering from bipolar illness. Very good descriptions!! Carol
I was diagnosed with BD after about 8 years of being diagnosed with depression. I learned that I have BD1 during a hospital stay three years ago. There, a nurse told me that they say that we “have bipolar disorder” and that that would be a good way for me to describe the disease to others. Three years later, I still agree. When telling someone that I have it, I say that I have a brain disease, and that what I have is bipolar disorder. I think that is easier for someone with little to no correct information about this disease to understand. For many years, I was ashamed that I have a mental illness. Now, I just feel that I have a physical problem, just like someone who has diabetes or a broken arm. I know that there are many people who don’t share this view, and that there is a stigma furthered by the media about people who have this disease. Therefore, I am slow to disclose, and then only to selected people whom I trust. I wish I could feel comfortable telling more people, but I have a public job, and need my stability to speak for itself, without my community judging me for a disease I have.
well, when I was in a hyper stage(as I call it) I was in the store checking out, I finally after standing in line, chatting, try to find my coupons, going back for more stuff, I just blutred it out, I am sorry I have bi polar, you should have seen the line clear,,, lol it felt good to admitt it, just felt sorry for everyone else
I prefer saying that I have bipolar disorder,rather than saying I’m bipolar. If other people want to refer to themselves as bipolar, that’s fine with me, though. I am concerned with a blogger writing that she feels her bipolar disorder is more like a part of herself than an illness, however. In fact, that’s what all of us who are mentally ill are trying to avoid: the belief from others that we’re not really sick, but that that’s just “who we are”. I want people to know that I do have an illness, and not just a character flaw. I tend to believe that anyone who says their bipolar disorder is not problematic enough to feel like an illness is in denial about its’ seriousness. Bipolar disorder is medical, chemical, and devastating. Bipolar disorder is very seriousl.
I prefer “I am Bipolar” It gets the job done succintly.
I don’t mind the labels. I am a bipolar mom. I don’t think it makes a difference. I am not afraid of people knowing I have bipolar disorder. I never did. I have the condition, that is not who I am. I don’t like the label mental illness because it has such a negative connotation to it. But bipolar or manic depression doesn’t bother me.
Having BP matters very much to me It seems we are labeled as some kind of crazy person because lots of people are still ignorant about this disorder. Iwas lucky enough to land a job at a local hotel as a desk clerk, part time, and when some of the employees found out that I was Bipolar, there were lots of rude comments passed around, such as one of the guys there called me a crazy b-tch and said that I would probably screw up and be gone in a week,that was 3 years ago and he is the one gone!!! anyway I feel like hardly anyone understands me, so each day is a huge struggle just to make sure I don’t mess up, because every one is just waiting.
People in my life are on a ‘need to know’ basis. My teenage son also is dx bp and he doesn’t tell his friends but most of my friends know. My good friends know about that I have bipolar disorder and those at work know I have a mood disorder – they’d be blind not to. But semantics aren’t that important to me. I’m afraid we get too caught up in words and forget that the underlying meaning is the same. Society’s opinion about those of us who deal with brain health issues will only begin to understand and accept it when they recognize that it’s prevalent in their lives. I’m 52 and I can remember when no one said ‘cancer’. It was the c-word and if you had it, you didn’t disclose it. I usually only tell others when there will be something to gained, either a better understanding by them or as a way to help them understand themselves.
Yes, I have BP and both panic and anxiety disorders..what a mixture this is to deal with. I do not mind if people around me say oh, Jeanne has BP,and talk about it to me or ask questions but what really bothers me is when you are around people and in a 5-10 foot area and you can hear people whispering to others that ‘Jeanne’ has BP, and crazy things are said about you and the illness…Then I just panic and want to run… I want to be up front about it and not hide, why can’t people just come out and talk about it to me? When things are said behind my back, i feel awful, like I’m some kind of freak, or monster, or crazy person who does not belong in public places. My heart cries, and tears fall.