Over the years I made a silly rule that works for me -

If I don't know you well enough to mention Diarrhea, you don't need to know my bipolar dx : )

I have done lots of volunteer work and was open and shared - but with regular people, acquaintances, co workers - not so much.

People in general don't discuss health or mental problems at hello, friends again can I say "I have to hang up I have the runs" that is a safe friend LOL


there is another thread on the board with the same topic - try it out

I was an advocate for a time so at that time I shared it with everyone in order to support mental illness however it is a double edged sword

There is a stigma so standing up to it is what will eventually help it to become more supported at the same time not everyone is supportive... I think a lot of time simply out of ignorance.... They know little about it

If you're going to share with people I would wait until you feel comfortable and confident and know a fair bit about your diagnosis ... When it comes to supporting you I would look to peer groups and professionals and people who really 'get it'

Big hug....xo

You don't have a "duty" to share anything about yourself you don't want to, be it a mental illness, medical illness or your dating status. Having said that I'm not one to shy away from telling someone I'm BiPolar. But I'm a private person and I also don't just shout my business from the rooftops.

If and when you do decide to share your BiPolar status, you do need to be educated about your Diagnosis how you're managing it and the Disease itself a fair bit so that when idiots start throwing remarks or ridiculous *facts* or statistics in your face you have the knowledge to calmly and correctly educate them on the truth. And any "educating" you do does need to be done in a calm and logical manner, because the minute you start arguing with people about how much more you know about being BiPolar than they do and how better you are at living life and taking care of yourself, etc., etc. well we tend to get a little heated and prove their *idiot beliefs* and come off a little cray-cray. lol

So, go with your gut and until you feel comfortable talking about it, to whomever you want to share with, let people mind their business.

Take care.
Kat

Really appreciate all the responses.

I guess I was thinking about it because I have a family member likely had it but was never on medication or weekly therapy like I am. So still trying to navigate that negative perception. I think doing more to educate myself is definitely important.

Separately, I have encountered resistance at my workplace for ADA accommodation. I am in the process of documenting this, so I can deicide how to move forward.

So frustrating!! I am glad I found this place for support or venting.

Its very difficult to get ADA accommodation in the Workplace for BiPolar even though it is a Legally covered ADA Disability. Depending on what accommodation you're trying to get it can be an up hill battle. And of course you don't have a choice but to disclose your Diagnosis.

This is interesting. I didn't know that - what are they are going to do ask for my medical records next?

I am just trying to get a weekly 1 hour medical appointment [for therapy] and the ability to work from home. I was working from home before the pandemic. I decided to move closer to family and my employer let me keep my job. I was the last to know that it was due to bipolar disorder, but looking back it was. It take me almost 2 more years before I went to a psychiatrist and was diagnosed.

My first step is asking my boss for the 1 hour weekly medical appointment. The last time I mentioned it she wasn't so supportive. I am just going to make sure I document everything.

I will eventually have to disclose to family but due to our family history of untreated bipolar disorder I am concerned about the reaction even though I am on medication and attending weekly therapy.

Also, just getting over the idea, "people who are bipolar are not able to make responsible decisions in their life". I am very independent, so this is the last way I want things to go.

Also just revealing that I go to therapy is going to be a shock.

Though like mentioned above I have some more reading to do.

Unfortunately they don't have to let you work from home, that's a pretty far reach for an "accommodation", you'd have to have a Psychiatrist and Therapists records that state you're unable to work in an office setting and that would pretty much put you in the "Disability" category and they could make the argument that you're not able to work.

Working from home isn't really and ADA accommodation. Unpaid time off for a Dr.'s appt. should be doable...most people just work out a deal where you switch out "lunch time" for the time off, that way you don't have to deal with ADA accommodations and submitting any paperwork of revealing any kind of Dr.'s notes or Diagnosis.

i usually tell people some anyway when they come up with some off the way for bipolar symptoms
they tend to think rage or happy and moodiness i know word gets around but i have had this for so long i really do not care what thet say they all see my talents so that is what they think of me