Do you tell people you have BP?

[Pamster]

Just curious as to whether others here share that info with people or not. I don't mean totla strangers of course, but I mean does it matter to you if people you hang around know or do you call it something else like manic depression or just depression?

I find myself feeling ashamed of the BP II dx and I don't know how to approach it sometimes. I know family should know and they do know, but like friends? Should they know? I think I remember a topic like this before BT went down so forgive me for reporting something that was already discussed, probably into the gorund since this is kind of a touchy subject.

BYW I am feeling good these days, it's just this has been on my mind lately. Should we worry about talking about it like say I see a pain management doc, should I always feel like I wear a badge of shame because of the BP II dx every time I go in there? Because I do a lot of the time, I feel like they are expecting me to be all depressed and I am not most of the time. But when I am oh boy is it hard to cope with.

[Pamster]

Hi Tracie,

Thanks so much for your reply, it made me feel better to read how you've accepted the dx yourself. I am familiar with lamictal because my son has seizures too and has been taking it for over three years. It's helped control his petite mall or absence seizures and you're so right, so many people do not understand the different types of seizures that there are. Even I don't grasp all the different potential dx's of types of sezures.

As for the BP, I know some folks here take Lamictal for BP and I think my son himself has mild BP because he can go from hapy to crying-though he is autistic too I don't think it's related to the autism-and I think the lamictal helps him with his moods. I take abilify as he does too but his is a much lower dose then mine. I have finally found my middle with the help of Abilify, and I know just what you mean by that comment about the great support of people on this site. I am new to this forum, but not to BT, I have been coming for the autism forum for over 6 years and I love this place.

Thanks again so much for your reply, I do feel a twinge of shame when I mention my BP II to the pain management doctor I see, but it's only because I am afraid of being stereotyped by them and getting treated differently because I have BP II. I feel when I tell people I'm interacting with that I have BP II I am trying to educate them about it, just like I do if I talk about my son's multiple dx's.

I mean like the medical transport drivers we have for two hour long drives to my son's specialists or the aides who come out to help me with him. It's funny how I feel more uncomfortable talking about it with my doctors then I do other people. Go figure.

[Me BP?]

Hi Pam,

Not sure about this. I just was diagnosed and I haven't told a single person. My family is not around so I don't have them. But friends, coworkers, my boss..haven't said a word. I'm afraid and even more I'm afraid they will treat me differently.

I know I'm all over the place with this but I guess the answer is no and why? I have no idea.

[Pamster]

Yeah I don't have many real life friends so telling online friends didn't bother me too much because they probably knew it was coming because of how I acted, you know? Depressed one week and then high on cloud nine the next. I don't think when I told them that anyone was surprised. I think I would have more problems telling co workers and friends IRL then the people I chat with online.

You're not all over the place though BJ so don't feel like you are from what you posted. It's ok to share what frightens you about it, I think I totally understand, I am on disability so I don't have to work thank God, because I know I would NOT tell an employer or co-workers because it's really none of their business. Don't feel like that is wrong or decceitful because I don't think they would be very open about a dx of BP or even anxiety/depression if they had it. I mean can you imagine an employer telling us their dx's? I can't.

[Me BP?]

Thanks Pam for reassuring me that it's not wrong to hide it from people. I'm so afraid of how I'll be treated. I want to be treated the same, no different from anyone else.

You're not all over the place though BJ

You have no idea how many times I wrote this over.

[Pamster]

I am glad it made you feel better, I know if I was working, seriously I would NOT divuldge it because I know people definitely hold stereo types for what they envision a dx of BP meaning. I should have clarified when I originally posted the thread, but since I don't work it wasn't on my mind, well it was but I kind of assumed it was a situation where most of us would not volunteer info like that to co-workers and employers.

Maybe I am wrong, but that is what I think most of us feel, that to volunteer the dx like that leads to trauma for us and discrimination in the workplace which we do not need. I know it's different with family and friends, but even they might have stereo types in mind that we would have to work against and educate them about BP, which after you just get a dx on you need to first educate yourself which is tramuatic enough. Or at least it was for me.

[bizi]

I would not tell anyone at work for the above stated reasons.
This is confidential information with only those with a need to know. like your boss only if you get sick and need to be hospitalized or if it is effecting your work performance.
I am in the health care system and tell no one of my bipolar because I am well regulated with meds and am not sick...I also work alone at this time going into private facilities. Yes everyone has a preconcieved notion about mental illness. If you feel the need to tell someone you can jsut say that you are anxioius or depressed or have panic attacks or night terrors or what other symptoms that you may want to share. This is usally information given to get support. You may not want to be getting support at work...only if you need to.
that is my opinion....
bizi

[AncientWolf]

I usually don't actually. I have run into a lot of misconceptions about bipolar or mental illness in general. Some people listen, but too many kept their misconceptions.

I think also I see it as rather personal. It's something my closest loved ones know and support me in, but in public I am good at smiling. This is a personal view and of course some people will feel differently and that's totally cool.

Peace,

Daniel

[martians8mybrian]

i rarely tell people. Don't see the need. I don't tell people I have fibromyalgia and i don't tell people that either.

I have a medical condition. That's it.

There is plenty of ignorance and stigma out there.... I would pick my opportunities to challenge it very carefully.

The best weapon against it is success. It won't matter a hill of pig poo if my aunt peggy knows.

who to tell..what to say... all those things are normal questions when someone is newly dx'd. i did it too.

and... if you think you should tell someone, you can spend time thinking about that...you can always tell someone tomorrow, but you can't ever un-tell them.

[Pamster]

I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks you should be wary of who you tell. I know that I only tell someone who I think can be understanding, usually because its come up and they mention a family member or another friend with BP that I will say I have BP II and I really don't mind discussing things with you guys here on the forum. But in person it's harder to discuss some things about having BP. I am really grateful for the forum here and for being able to share my bad days along with my good days with people who understand.