People - especially people who know you're sick - say the most stupid things. Makes me want to pull my hair out. What we're sick with doesn't go away after a good period of time or the right meds or the right doctor. And all niceties aside, it gets old fast hearing the same stuff over and over. That's why I come here if I need support or advice. These folks actually know a lot of what I'm going through and I take their advice and thoughts seriously knowing they're authentic. Is that what you're getting at or have I missed the point? Lol - my brain is a little fuzzy right now.

I think sometimes normies don't know what to say. They can't feel our bipolar feelings and we sometimes whey hypo or manic are so exaggerated. When things happen to us we feel it deeply and they don't understand. My best friend told me to pull myself up by my big girl panties. I stopped speaking to her. Actually that was the limit of her knowledge and I never told her I was bipolar.

idk in my mind at least they are trying to be positive. ( not all but most)

I would rather have that than someone reminding me how f***kd I am! Keeping it real? In what sense?

Hey Banshee I know you talk too much and are all over the place so call me when ya settle down?' Or geez you look like shit and haven't slept well in years! ( well I haven't really)


Better yet just walking away with their platitudes.

How is anyone really suppose to navigate through this when most times beepers can't.

I accept the limitations of some people when it comes to not knowing the "right" thing to say because hell what really is the "right" thing to say?

I just don't take it so personal. That's when I put my big girl panties on! lol

It's my job to take care of me and also realize I can't expect "normies" to get it. Now if a BP told me some of that than that's a different story.

Too many other things in my life to focus on something like that but I get why it can be annoying. It's all about how we interpret the intent.

Peace

I would much rather hear positivity from people when I'm in a bad depression than nothing at all. I found in pushing people away I became very isolated because people were afraid to talk to me at all. Isolation isn't a good place to be.

People have said the dumbest shit to me over the years but I find some peace among peers here and in support groups and have learned NOT to look to people who don't know about mentl illness. I hear what you are saying about 'keeping it real' but I don't enjoy staying in a pit of depression and work really hard to get out of those states with professionals and peers.

It can seem like that when we're in a bad place .. the no hope place... I don't think that is real either... There is hope to be had but we can lose sight of it when we're ill

I agree with Banshee when she says if people are being real or trying to be positive and not just spewing something without thought

Fake it til you make it is something that has helped me a great deal... That and gratitude... I think we find the tools that we need the best we can... Another hug AK....xo

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I identify most with what spacekat said. It is hard for mentally healthy people to relate to our everyday challenges & understand that it's not just something that goes away. I think people tend to want to "fix" things and so the thought that we may not one day magically be mentally cured scares them & they don't know how to react to that
Also--it's just nice to have someone acknowledge what you're feeling & empathize with you rather than just "sun shining" it away. Instead of saying "it'll get better", maybe --" I'm sorry you're having a hard time right now. I know you're hurting. I'm here to listen & be a shoulder to cry on"
But it is nice to have an outlet like this where others may understand each other ;)

My personal favorite is when someone sees I'm not all that "cheery" and says, "have you seen that new medication they're advertising on TV, maybe you should try that!" Sure let me get right on that, it'll make everything all better, not!

I get irked when normies try to give me medical advice on a Disease that I've had for 27 years and they know nothing about, except for the meds they've seen on TV commercials.

I agree @ OldCPer...I've been dealing w/mine for about 20 & people just don't get what kind of wear & tear that can cause on a person after a while. I think people think there can be a quick fix...maybe it's the fast pace of our society & there is still such a stigma attached

Yes. It makes me want to scream.

LadyPromise, sounds like you were having a bit of a manic night.
I do appreciate your words & agree it's best not to judge anyone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.

I welcome kindness over negativity anytime.

A lot of people may not know what to say especially if they do not know the whole situation. I know how you can feel. I think if you give more detail maybe they can give you the true advice you are looking for. I hope this helps and i hope this statement of my opinion won't upset you. I think other people with Bi-Polar know other Bi-Polar people go through. I least i know this have BP. I hope this helps you. I would be happy to help support you with BP if you would like. Sometimes people don't understand us. I am glad we have this group to support one another.