Stigma
- I am a nurse. Imagine that, a bipolar nurse! If I told you I was bipolar I am sure you'd run for the hills and request a more competent NON-CRAZY caring nurse. I am sure you'd stare at me in shock, be afraid for your life. I am not violent. I once had an employer ask me, "Are you violent?" at a job interview. It broke my heart. I left crying. Believe it or not, I am HUMAN not a ANIMAL. I am a caring, fun, happy person most of the time. I have empathy for people who are hurting. I understand pain and suffering. Why does society look at a person and draw conclusions? Since I was diagnosed my life hasn't been the same. People look at me different - think I may harm them. Boyfriends? Why bother? Who needs love when you are crazy? Kids? A bipolar mother? Shame on me! I may put them in a car and roll them down a hill, or lock my son in a closet, or burn him with cigarettes - you know, I am BIPOLAR! Don't put anything past a bipolar person! The stigma makes me sad. My heart makes me strong!
- —Guest BIPOLARNURSE
Ridiculed and Rejected
- I am ridiculed at work and home because of my disease. My neighbors know about my disease because I had to call an ambulance because I had a reaction to an antibiotic and well the paramedics called in my medical information on their very loud speaker system. My neighbors enjoy walking down my hall and pointing out to their friends that the women in that apartment is a nut job. One of my co-workers actually said to me “I am surprised you haven’t killed someone yet!” Because I gave a speech about mental illness at work and people started to talk about me because I have a parent with mental illness. People have said every derogatory term about my disease that exists. I feel like there is no hope of finding love and being excepted in this world. I wish was an amputee or had cancer rather then my disease at least then people show their support. My disease effects me every day to some extent I sure wish there was a cure. People are afraid of me and love to make fun.
- —Guest Ridiculed and Rejected
The ERs are even clueless
- First time I went to the ER they put a heart monitor on me and walked away. After about 45 min someone came in and said "Go see your doctor". The second time, same place they didn't even see me. But they tried to bill me anyway. Again they sent me out on the street. Lesson: ER's don't know what to do unless you've broken something. But in parting they'll ask you if you smoke! I've even been told by a doctor that I should quit smoking and have a glass of wine instead.
- —cqui
We're living next door to some psycho
- I have encountered discrimination and stigma due to bipolar disorder more times than I care to admit. I told my bosses at a graduate school that trains clinical psychologists about my bipolar disorder. The president of the school couldn't even look at me. I have been labeled immature, not a team player, difficult, and psycho. I have been passed over for numerous promotions. I am ineligible for rehire at two companies that formerly praised my abilities to the skies. I recently looked up an old grad school colleague. He saw my blog about bipolar disorder and went from enthusiastic to noncommunicative in 0 seconds flat. Because of these experiences, I have disguised the fact that I am bipolar until now. No more. I want to advocate for those living with mental illness and I can't do that in hiding.
- —Guest litlady02
Sick of it!
- I am SO sick of the stigma! I have been trying to answer questions honestly when I mention I am on disability from work. I answer and a couple answer but many don't. How can they????????????????? I just want to be honest that I have it and that's that. Like it or not. You liked me before, what's the problem now????????????????
- —Guest Heather S.
misconceptions
- I was diagnosed with bd at 18. I had one severe depression and several full blown psychotic manic episodes.The treatment I recieved was laughable. Med compliance was my only hope for an even somewhat productive life. My family was told repeatedly not to expect much from me, I would be lucky to hold any job at all. I have proven both assumptions wrong. I have excelled at many jobs and currently run a small business . I am happily married and am as "symptom" free as I choose to be at any given time. Most current treatment for bipolar sets you up to fail. If you aren't expected to amount to anything because of your diagnosis, you can then attribute all your failures in life to your disorder. This is a cycle of self fulfilling prophecy that is reinforced and expected by most mental health professionals. Do you know what the hardest thing for me to hear is? "Look at how well you've done given your bipolar disorder". Even my endeavors that turn out well are tainted by others misconceptions.
- —Guest will nadauld
Where Is the Caretaker's Caretaker?
- I am a United Methodist pastor who was diagnosed with Bpolar Disorder in 1994. Although I fight stigma whenever I come across it, through my inactions I am perpetuating it. I should "come out" to prove that a person who is MI can be a productive member of society. Unfortunately, doing so now would have a very negative impact on my ministry. So, here I sit,
- —Guest bipolarpastor
its all in your head
- I went to hospital with my sister in severe abdominal pain. 4 hours later I made it into the ED. By this stage I was crying vehemently and couldn't stop crying for the pain. The nurse who attended me was very ignorant in her treatment of me and finally asked my sister, "is it because she has bipolar that she is this way?..........." Later on the Registrar attended me and stated that he didn't think it was anything. That night I went for a laparotomy for ruptured appendix with pelvic and abdominal abscesses. I was pleased to say the people who performed this operation were nonjudgmental about my illness and were there to achieve my comfort. There is a lot of discrimination out there but fortunately there are some people who are informed.
- —Guest CandyK
Mental Illness and the Court System
- When I was diagnosed with BP I was going thru a divorce. My husband was violent, a felon, a diagnosed sociopath (3x by 3 drs). I was desperately trying to get custody of my son. I tried in CT, MA and VT. I was repeatedly denied due to my mental illness. That was my crime. They could never say I was abusive, neglectful, irresponsible. A judge in VT gave me custody after my 17 yr old daughter testified that he had sexually abused her. Child welfare was angry over the decision. They went to a different judge in a different venue, hid what the 1st judge had said, got custody reverted back to my husband and denied me visitation. I didn't see or hear from my son for 2 yrs. When he reached 18 he found me. I can't tell you how hard I cried. However, the damage was done. When my son got married he was abusive. He sabotaged his military career, following in his father's footsteps. We haven't talked in a long time b/c I finally said his father is a pedophile and shouldn't be near my grandchildre
- —Guest Anniem
Stigma
- I called one of the help lines because I wanted someone to talk to. Soon the police were at my door saying the apt. was on fire. When I let them in they said I was going to the hospital. I said I wasn't so they takled me to the floor, 3 of them. When I told them I had bipolar disorder and was having mixed episodes they threw me to the floor, hancuffed me, and sprayed me in the eyes with pepper spray. Soon after arriving at the hospital I was tied down to a gurney (ankle, wrists, and shoulder restraints). They refused to call my daughters for me. I only got worse being tied down as I couldn't rock. You know how that is. One of my daughters found out from the police department where they'd taken me but when she got to the hospital they refused to let her see me.She would have been so much help. I received bruises and abrasions at the restraint areas and injury to the right breast...all of they're words against mine. A long time will have to pass before I trust these entities.
- —Guest annshide
job loss
- I took a leave from work to get back on meds and get straightened out as I finally had insurance for the meds anyway and could afford to. I did all I was suppose to and when the leave (30) days was up I turned in all the paperwork to find out I also needed a sentence from the doctor stating I could return to work with that doctors signature. I notified them and asked that it be faxed to my job. I called my employer every other day and found it was not faxed. Finally it was faxed, almost 2 weeks had passed. When I called and found they recieved it I also found I had been terminated because although they recieved it, it simply took too long and my employer said they thought I did not want my job. I was denied unemployment and appealed the decision and won because my employer never informed me my job was in jeapordy, not to mention if I didnt want my job I wouldnt have been trying so hard to get back to work. I am now trying to get the wilful misconduct removed from my history...
- —cizenski
Shouldn't it be called stigmata instead?
- The stigma associated with having bipolar disorder is akin to stigmata. I recently went to the hospital ER while having a migraine and was treated like I might attack them. They would not give me the medication I needed to kick the headache. I finally left the hospital with the headache and was told to "sleep it off" by the doctor. "SLEEP IT OFF?" Like I had been on a bender! I have also been discriminated at my job because of needing to take time off to care for myself. I ended up being fired for non-attendance. I was supposedly protected by US law - FMLA. My employer had me call in every morning I was out on FMLA by 8:00am or I would be fired. I have had friends abandon me because of this disorder.
- —CruiseAustin
Affairs with the Stupid-Ignorant
- Soon after my diagnoses of BipolarI/MixedMania/Severe Panic Disorder and Chronic PTSD (could mix it up w/more...), I made a visit to the office of my PCP(primary care pyhscian). Once I explained to him my situation, the first thing out of his mouth was, 'But you all seem like such nice people.' Now this was coming from a well-educated man that my boys and I had been a patient of for years and he had been thru a lot with us. The only thing I could think to say in retrun was 'Well, so do you.' Several months passed, another visited was made and the first question posed was 'How is your brain?' While still a bit in shock, I did manage to say"Fine (although not)...how is yours?" My older son was dx'd BPI, very similar to mine and he is the only one in my immediate family that truly understands. I have the most awesome pdoc ever!!! Courtesy of ...guess who ... my PCP... as Alanis says.."Ironic",StevesScarlett, btw, many attempts have been made to educate those unaware...re: title
- —Guest StevesScarlett
Affairs with the Stupid-Ignorant
- Soon after my diagnoses of BipolarI/MixedMania/Severe Panic Disorder and Chronic PTSD (could mix it up w/more...), I made a visit to the office of my PCP(primary care pyhscian). Once I explained to him my situation, the first thing out of his mouth was, 'But you all seem like such nice people.' Now this was coming from a well-educated man that my boys and I had been a patient of for years and he had been thru a lot with us. The only thing I could think to say in retrun was 'Well, so do you.' Several months passed, another visited was made and the first question posed was 'How is your brain?' While still a bit in shock, I did manage to say"Fine (although not)...how is yours?" My older son was dx'd BPI, very similar to mine and he is the only one in my immediate family that truly understands. I have the most awesome pdoc ever!!! Courtesy of ...guess who ... my PCP... as Alanis says , "Ironic"...StevesScarlett.. btw,I have attempted many'xs explaining to others, thus the title.
- —Guest StevesScarlett
We can't change stigma being quiet
- I don't know anyone with a mood disorder who hasn't felt the stigma in some way. We can see it coming but can't prepare for the damage it will cause. It doesn't matter whether it's family, friends, coworkers or complete strangers it still hurts & completely frustrating. We now agree that deaf & blind doesn't mean needy or less productive? After years we accept cancer doesn't mean death it equates to survivor. I ask when a alcoholic or drug addict relapses are they dangerous to themselves & others Yes? Do we react the same when it's a mood disorder, No! People will accept mental illness if trauma is a factor. Why is it's OK to have PTSD, ADHD, autism and such? Mental Illness IS scary. It's a fact the people around us are affected by our symptoms. Only we are more informed than ever about the how the brain works. We're progressing with new medications & determined CBT / BDT does work. The only way to stop the stigma is to prove it wrong. We can't do this if people don't speak up.
- —MarcyRubin
