I just shared my Bipolar diagnosis with all of my family and friends for the first time, fifteen years after my diagnosis. I’m so nervous and anxious it’s unbearable. Any kind words would be appreciated. Thanks!
-DQ
Slow Motion Accident – Mental Health Advocate – Crisis Counselor – Bipolar 1
The Dopamine Queen 
You’re a brave soul, I’m sure everyone loves you no matter what.
Leslie
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You’ve taken the biggest step and their support should be with you. What you did took strength and now there’s no where to go but forward. 🌹
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It’s a HUGE step, but you’re awesome for taking that scary plunge. I wish you nothing but happiness and peace with yourself ♡
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You are so brave and I Can only hope I can do that one day. This is only the beginning for you, you are a great inspiration, not only to us but to your kids as well. Great way to show that this disease can not take who we are away from us.
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i do wish i could share my diagnosis at my age of 18 and my university drop out because of that and my various mental states and transformations for 27+ years since then in this cruel world, to this cruel world if this cruel world can become kind enough to at least acknowledge it and show some empathy to the people that suffers from this condition despite their idiosyncrasies,
But this is SADLY NOT the case and so it’s definitely not only worth sharing it because the stigma associated with mental issues is not only never going to cease, at least in the permanent state of third world countries where there is still absolutely no awareness and where the ratio of psychiatrists to the general population is in the order of 1:8000 to 1:10000 (Please see: We need more mental health care professionals in India – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/we-need-more-mental-health-care-professionals-in-india/articleshow/66146320.cms – This needs some criticial thinking on the state of affairs), where mental illnesses are still thought of as some kind of divine interventions :(, but, also the fact that whatever i say will be treated only like some work of fiction in the category of Leo Tolstoy or something (LOL).
But people can derive some thing from what i have already written about people living in this condition for sure through this post, i wrote some two months ago on my blog by reading it fully, me refusing to admit myself as the subject 😦 now i under my present condition i feel i have absolutely nothing to lose admitting it 🙂
Manic Times – https://rajinikanthv.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/manic-times/
Thank you much for the opportunity. You are definitely a brave soul indeed unlike me :(.
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what i mentoned was actually an ideal ratio but in reality, it is in the order of 1 to 200,000+ people here! 😦 The article in my previous comment is a must read, if not my comments itself (LOL)
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I am glad you are feeling secure enough in yourself to finally share. Hugs.
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You’re awesome and brave for coming out! Never forget that!
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((Hugs))
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I hope their reactions are loving, kind & supportive!
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Breathe, that’s the big one. And no matter what happens, you are worthy of love and support, don’t accept anything less.
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I think they will be grateful you felt you could trust them, and who knows, maybe reveal their own mental health issues. The most important thing is that you have unburdened yourself. It’s so scary but secret keeping is never a good thing. I commend you!❤️❤️
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If they understand and are supportive that’s great but if they don’t that’s on them. No matter the out come it doesn’t change who you are or the work you’ve accomplished to get where you are.
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It’s really brave and courageous move. Family and society always follow some prejudices. Either they accept this with high level maturity or will mock you like the immature fools. Anyways be brave to accept any reaction. You know well it’s not your fault or neither of others. To talk to family is a great step. Saluting your bravery.🤩😍👏👏👍
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Wow! That’s so insanely incredibly admirably brave! You know that right?! I hope you realize how strong you are for that, no matter what happens! I’m sending the best of luck your way!
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Good for you! You are so brave to become vulnerable. But I have confidence and hope that their acceptance will illicit a powerful bonding experience between you, your family and friends. Good luck!
Roger
Mind and Love
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Good for you! I know it’s hard… I still haven’t told EVERYONE. But the one’s I have told have been very supportive. I hope and pray you get the same response! And if not, know that we (other BP-ers) are here for you!
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I know that is a big step. I am proud of you my friend. Prayed for you 🙂
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That’s a really tough step to take. Good for you girl. My mom is bipolar and she was nervous about telling me family. We all love her regardless. You are you no matter what. We all have our struggles and we’re beautiful with them but they don’t define us. In this world, it’s hard to remember that. I recently went on antianxiety medicine and feared telling my family but they are supportive. Mental health should not have such a stigma but I think the world is making progress slowly. 🙂 we got This! Keep inspiring
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That is very admirable and brave of you.
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Your diagnosis is REAL. No matter what others may tell you. It is your physical brain. Bipolar disorder is not just a mental illness, even though to others it may look like that. It’s physical. It’s chemicals, not character. 💙
If some of your family doesn’t believe you, have them read “Why Am I Still Depressed.” So good! My psychiatrist recommended it to me.
Praying for you. Know you’re not alone!! 💙
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Exactly! I always say, “Bipolar is a brain illness that causes mental illness.” I don’t like saying bipolar disorder is a mental illness.
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If any of them have misconceptions about bipolar disorder, learning that someone they know and love has the condition will hopefully cause them to rethink their views.
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Go to the Lord Jesus. “Cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for you”
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Education and compassion (on both sides) is key. Some of the books mentioned in other comments would be a great place to start. I have to remind people over and over again, ‘it’s not a choice, it’s not a phase, it’s a medical condition. Would you tell someone who is diabetic to THINK their blood sugar to stable levels? Don’t tell someone who is bipolar/depressed to think happy thoughts!’
More often than not, their ignorance of the illness and their love for you together engage their fear and other issues that have nothing to do with you. This is your truth and while their support would be welcome, you don’t need their approval to live your life and know your truth. There is the family we are born into and there is the family we create as we move through life; choose who you want in your circle.
BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!
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Congratulations. That is an incredible step, and difficult. Every time I disclose to someone, or my adult children disclose to someone, it’s scary. It takes knowledge and security, and you seem well armed with both. Well done!
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So very proud of you! I’ve lived without that step just yet. I’m sure you feel so much better. Peace and love. Take care.
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You have done a very “queenly” thing. I applaud you.
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Great that you took that step!
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Be you. That’s all you can do. Some educating may be necessary… just remember that any judgments belong to the person judging. Don’t take anything personally. I hope this brave step will be liberating!
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My diagnosis came after several super-stressful years. It was a relief to have a diagnosis, which I had long suspected. I made a joke about it: “I used to be crazy — now I’m on drugs!” but alas, that didn’t always go over too well. (I thought it was funny!). The family was supportive of this invisible malady.
When I “went public” with it one day, several people came to me, one of whom ended up going to be tested and his life began!
A few years ago a psychiatrist told me I had been mis-diagnosed. So six years ago I began walking outside and seeking large doses of laughter. These have enabled me to come off the medication. I have been drug free and stable ever since.
FYI – smiling is a good potion, and if there is nothing to smile about, hold a pencil in your teeth (parallel to the floor) for a few minutes. It uses the same muscles, which apparently affect something in the brain. And if not, a glance in the mirror will bring on a smile.
Blessings to you!
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Emotional cycles are fundamental to humanity. Everything in the physical realm, in fact, is a wave at some level and at some point in its existence – a wave with peaks and troughs. Without the downs we wouldn’t be able to appreciate the ups. We wouldn’t even notice that we were blissful if there were nothing unpleasant to contrast to it. Your ups are higher on average and your downs are lower than the average person in today’s population. It’s a challenge, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It can be a source of purpose in your life. Experiment, find out what works for you and share it with others. Try cutting out all sugar and lowering your carbohydrate intake to a small fraction of what it currently is. Try going easy on fruits. Experiment with circadian eating, MCT oil and ketosis. Eat organic food only. Avoid GMO crops that are all deliberately loaded with toxic glyphosate. Do some sort of regular daily muscle work like dead lifts or tough yoga poses. Experiment with Wim Hof style breathing and cold exposure. Experiment with mindfulness meditation. The modern Western lifestyle is so full of toxic insanity, inactivity and chronic stress, it’s a wonder any of us can still enjoy life. But we can. The rise in autism and other mental challenges is no coincidence. We’re doing it to ourselves by trusting the norms. Don’t trust them. Experiment with them and find out what works for you. Read Dale Bredesen’s book, “The End of Alzheimer’s” for perspective on the mind-environment connection.
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I am mentioning your blog in my post Friday August 2 🙂
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Congratulations on taking that step. I finally had the courage to get diagnosed when I was pregnant last year with my third baby. I was scared but I knew I no longer could hide or deny that all my life I had bipolar tendencies along with other mental illness as well. Officially knowing has helped me a lot. I’ve only told selected people for the fear of having them treat me different. I may not know you but I am proud of you!!
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