Well I understand your point but it can have real life ramifications like if you are applying for a job. And everything is transparent on the Net these days. LIke that article/post about social networking. I know that discrimination is illegal but we all know people do it.

How will the discrimination stop if we don't stand up to it?

I have nothing to feel guilty about. I've got an illness and I try educating people - when I feel up to it. I'm sick of the stigma associated with it. I cannot help my illness just as much as someone with cancer cannot help theirs.

I hate to say it but aren't both of you on disability? Or dependent on your spouses? Not to pry or judge but if that is the case then you don't have to worry about discrimination. And how can you really prove discrimination? It's easier said than done.

theoretically I agree with you but reality is more complex.

I used to be ashamed but not anymore, if people have a problem with it they can take a long walk off a short dock =) I am definitely sick and tired of the stigma, I think its a damn joke, we are not living in the 1800's anymore people need to take their heads out of their asses and realize that mental illness is no different than any other kind of chronic physical illnesses.

I try to be realistic while at the same time remain idealistic...... I tell most people about my BP, however, I understand the reason behind not exposing health issues on social networking sites. I mean, people with other health issues don't necessarily broadcast their problems...so why should I and be discriminated against.

At the same time, I wish society - globally - would deplete the stigma surrounding mental health. I'm not naive to believe this will happen over night, but I do believe that by being open and honest with those I come in contact with, that I may change their understanding.

and - like zsa said - I have more freedom to be open to this idealistic thinking - I'm a stay at home mom. reality is reality.

and I do receive a disability pension and my husband works, I still face discrimination when i go to a simple doctor's apt, if you have BP weather you support yourself, work or not, you still have to interact with the rest of the world and they do discriminate. A good example of this is when i do go to my GP for something physical they immediately jump to it being something going on in my head, that i am lying or depressed and I am not taken seriously.

it's funny, (but not really), to say that we "should do this or we should do that" fight the good fight.

But in the end, we all go home to different realities.

No zsa, I have never been married, I live alone and I have to work to pay the rent. I DO understand the stigma of mental illness, and I want very much to fight against discrimination. And I also just want to enjoy being honest about myself with others.

All my friends and family know. I am pretty open about my illness. I know a lot isn't my fault but there is shame and a lowered self esteem because of the bp. It's not because I am bp, but rather because of the things I have done when my judgment was impaired and I was manic (I had an affair). I am sure people blame me and will never understand just how out of it I was and if I tried to explain that I would be making excuses. Fortunately my husband seems to understand and if he didn't the marriage counselor set him straight and explained to him that when someone is manic and has an affair it is not the same thing.

I worry about people thinking that I am just weak willed and immature (which my sister called me after a bad episode). I was in state hospital thinking it was really an FBI training camp and that I was going to save the world and my sister sent me a church bulletin about leaving the past in the past and moving forward with your life. I think she thought I was dwelling on my problems and throwing myself a big pity party.

I know I have an illness and this isn't my fault, but I would have to say there is some shame that those along with it.

I stand corrected, Heretic.
I have told a boss before that I was BP, actually I've done it a couple times. It worked out ok. For the most part. And my family and most of my friends know. But I wouldn't come out on FB. It's too public. I need to find a job and I don't know how much gets made public.

zsa -- nope, not on disability. Right now dependent upon my husband but seriously trying to get back to work, as you should have gathered from my post saying that I was useless.

I just quit my ER/RN job d/t severity of BP symptoms. I filed for divorce and lived with another man--all in a manic state. Now my husband says he cannot go through any of this any more. I wish I could take back the STUPID things I did, but I can't. Right now I am living with him, he is trying to help me get better, but with such an uncertain future, it feels hopeless. I can't blame him, but I REALLY feel alone and scared. Worried about no job, no husband, no home, no insurance....WOW this is overwhelming. So I can't even THINK about the stigma of mental illness. I am barely coping with the reality of being at the lowest point in my life because of it. I dont know if it is wrong to say, but I would much rather have a physical affliction. I could handle that, and would def. have support. REALITY is, bipolar isolates you in one way or another. I don't know what the future is going to bring for me, I just pray it will get better and I will be ok. I hope NO ONE else is this low. Be grateful if you have a supportive spouse, and/or a stable home environment. I wish someone could hold me and tell me they will take care of me--but in reality, that's not going to happen. I HAVE to find it within myself to get better and find a way to survive. Any advice from anyone?