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.
Hi,
I have just started coming to DS regularly in the past few weeks and just found this support group. This group is perhaps most to the point.
Several years ago I had an bad tooth, went to the dentist and he said he would take care of it Monday (it was Friday). Saturday I was in so much pain I went to the ER. I think I was into the 4th hour of being in a screened room when I called a nurse and told her that I needed to get something for pain and get back home so that I could sleep. I told her I was BP and that sleep was critical in my regimen for staying on an even keel. The next thing I knew there were 4 security guards standing in my little screened area and the nurse was talking about admitting me to the phych ward! Since I also have a whooping case of PTSD I was in a total panic. Sometimes a manic state and a flight response because of PTSD look a lot the same. The problem was resolved eventually, I was given something for pain and I was sent home to try to sleep.
What I took away from that experience, even though it was almost 18 years ago was to NEVER tell anyone I am bi-polar. The one secret I cannot share for fear of being locked up ( there was another incident adding to this but that is for another time).
I am a firm believer that it is the secrets that we keep that take away our internal strength in life. Once I was diagnosed I stopped allowing people to get close to me and to this day have very few friends; lots of acquaintances but very few friends. I am ready for that to change finally however have problems when people start telling me about their pasts and I leave out a huge part of my life. And so I wrap myself up inside to stay safe and have a cold life on the outside because of my isolation.
It seems that everywhere, when someone admits they are BP, they are branded, people become weary of them and they too life in isolation.
Comments? Answers? suggestions? I am willing to take anything at this point.
I have just started coming to DS regularly in the past few weeks and just found this support group. This group is perhaps most to the point.
Several years ago I had an bad tooth, went to the dentist and he said he would take care of it Monday (it was Friday). Saturday I was in so much pain I went to the ER. I think I was into the 4th hour of being in a screened room when I called a nurse and told her that I needed to get something for pain and get back home so that I could sleep. I told her I was BP and that sleep was critical in my regimen for staying on an even keel. The next thing I knew there were 4 security guards standing in my little screened area and the nurse was talking about admitting me to the phych ward! Since I also have a whooping case of PTSD I was in a total panic. Sometimes a manic state and a flight response because of PTSD look a lot the same. The problem was resolved eventually, I was given something for pain and I was sent home to try to sleep.
What I took away from that experience, even though it was almost 18 years ago was to NEVER tell anyone I am bi-polar. The one secret I cannot share for fear of being locked up ( there was another incident adding to this but that is for another time).
I am a firm believer that it is the secrets that we keep that take away our internal strength in life. Once I was diagnosed I stopped allowing people to get close to me and to this day have very few friends; lots of acquaintances but very few friends. I am ready for that to change finally however have problems when people start telling me about their pasts and I leave out a huge part of my life. And so I wrap myself up inside to stay safe and have a cold life on the outside because of my isolation.
It seems that everywhere, when someone admits they are BP, they are branded, people become weary of them and they too life in isolation.
Comments? Answers? suggestions? I am willing to take anything at this point.
-
Here is my new brother, copper :) He's so tiny! Moo and Tuck were ok with him on first meeting. Rocket due to his severe aggression will never meet Cooper.
-
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDeA9Wxg/
I have been 'out' since my diagnosis pretty much and I have had good and bad experiences... I go through life 'if you don't happen to like me pass me by'
I'm sorry you had such an extreme reaction... It was born of ignorance and I'm sure very hurtful
A lot of illnesses do have symptoms that overlap... I think that and stigma is where 'labels' have come to be
This is a great place with some wonderful and knowledgeable folks... I'm glad you found us... Big hug...x
I believe we all have our own way of coping or about how much we open up about having BP.
For me I am not shouting it out from the roof tops but I don't "hide" from it either.
I have surrounded myself with trusted friends and family. I also have the luxery of having my employer's support as well. ( We have been friends for 18 years)
My coworker knows since she has had to cover for me on different occassions due to some things I needed to handle relating to BP and other issues. It's only the three of us and we have become more like family so I'm not fearful. They are extremely supportive.
When it came to my children's friends parents and such I would never disclose my dx because I can hear it now.... I also do not trust anyone in their schools either so I just kept my shit together when dealing with all of that.
Now years later I really don't care what many people think in general and since they aren't paying my bills or contributing to the quality of my life I refuse to let the thought people may or may not be "labeling " me take up room in my head.
Navigating life outside our minds/life is not easy but in time and with more understanding of ourselves hopefully it becomes less of a worry.
Yes, I'm babbling but that's how I roll I guess! lol
Good luck
I bet it's built up since the 80's
Peace
I've had to tell a few people at work and in medical situations and apart from an expression of surprise I don't think I've seen any difference in the attitude of those people to me.
i am sorry that you had to go through that awful experience. you have come to the right place here though. there is usually someone around for a bit of support.
Know the acquaintances that you'd like to be friends with and pre-determine that the next time the opportunity to share this fragile aspect of yourself comes up, to do it! It is likely that you will be so happy when you dojust go for it!
I'm sorry, I can't give much advice but I can give Understanding and empathy.