Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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KublaKhan 05/26/2012

I know I have, and many of us here have posted the topic of the stigma in the minds of the general population towards people with mental illness.

I was just watching Jay Leno with guest Glenn Close, and learned that she has a sister with bipolar disorder, as well as a charity to promote awareness and eliminating these stigmas - find it here:

http://bringchange2mind.org/

Enjoy, and share as you please :D

- KK

deleted_user 05/26/2012

thank you KK for this info...
i knew that she was promoting awareness awhile ago through a commercial... never thought to go to the website ... thanks

justletmebe 05/26/2012

i have seen this before, love love love it!!! Good share!!

GinaWonders 05/26/2012

She participated in our NAMI walk last year, her and her sister : ) All Good stuff!

deleted_user 05/26/2012

thats wonderful

deleted_user 05/26/2012

Great link. Thanks for sharing. I guess it is time to step out of my bipolar closet.

BabyShelby 05/26/2012

Thanks Kubla!! How're you doing?

darkenedheart 05/26/2012

I don't wanna rain on anyone's parade but I don't think the stigma will EVER go away.

As long as some of us get out of control and annoy the heck out of people, there will be stigma.

Happy to be proved wrong but I sadly don't think I will be.

deleted_user 05/27/2012

As our meds improve and as we aren't locked up for life the stigma will improve but it will never completely change.

dobiedots 05/27/2012

A new major illness will come along and it will take the stigma off BP. Maybe not in our lifetime.
People are just so mean.
I lost 4 friends when I told them I was bipolar.
Curses on their little brains!

dobiedots 05/27/2012

Oh...and Thank You KublaKhan. I signed up and told them my story.

deleted_user 05/27/2012

given just how many more people (& children) are diagnosed these days I'd say the stigma has lessened to a degree

Last week some local spokesperson for psychology board was arguing in newspaper that the term 'mentally ill' should not be used for people with anxiety, depression- because it might give them bad self esteem (to be in same boat as people with truly fucked up things like schizophrenia, bipolar in other words). No kidding *eyeroll*

deleted_user 05/27/2012

wanted to go kick a psychologist when I read that :P

deleted_user 05/27/2012

im not sure what else you would say you have althought i do find that they are now over used terms by people and it takes the meaning out for people who suffer clincly with it

deleted_user 05/27/2012

I watched Jagged Edge when I was 16 but a friend had told me the ending already.Bastard.

Autumn111269 05/27/2012

Amazing testimony. Makes me realize how strong we all are just by making it through each day with bipolar. Others don't have a clue how hard it is sometimes while they run around thinking they have a hard life. I hope people really do wake up someday and realize we are people too and mental illness is an illness just like diabetes or high blood pressure. It's great to see her coming out.

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