Talk about yourself
I know that I had BP as a child. Just like the other writers, I was made fun of and talked about until 11th grade when I dropped out and got my GED. In high school I spent a lot of lunch periods in my guidance officer's office, because no one wanted to be seen with me. By this time I was drinking heavily and acting crazy and sleeping with a lot of boys. (Some I didn't remember due to blackouts). My mother also moved a lot, so I went to a new school every year, fifth grade in three different schools.
How Did Other Children Mistreat You?
My mother never made sure I had lunch money. I hung around with these three girls for a while who weren't really my friends but I was desperate. I guess I used to ask them to share their food with me a lot because I was hungry. One of the girls used to say when I was coming over, "Can I have a lick, can I have a chew, can I glue myself to you?" That really hurt. The years before high school kids made fun of me constantly, I was always the new girl, and I didn't fit in. And due to my low self esteem, I was an easy target
Lessons Learned
- Kids can be cruel
- This too shall pass
- Take care of your children and make sure they have the things they need and treat them well so that they grow up with self-confidence.
- Never never judge. You don't know what that person has been through in their life.
Do you think bipolar disorder helped make you a victim?
Yes
Did being bullied damage your self-esteem?
Yes
Do you still have "victim" characteristics as an adult?
Yes. Especially in my marriage. My husband was very abusive physically and emotionally, and one time sexually.
Anything more you want to say?
I'm so glad those years are over. Now I have self-confidence and have held onto two childhood friends, one who I met in 9th grade, and one that I met at the beach when I was 14. I'm grateful for my job and the people I work with who like me, one special friend in particular.
