Stigma

[My Dualities]

After writing a blog about bipolar disorder and stigma called "Oh No You Didn't!", I was wondering what people on here think about the stigma in general. How bad is it out there?

If you want, you can see what I have already wrote about it. http://mydualities.wordpress.com

There will be more to come, that is why I'm asking you this question first.

[Summerbreeze]

First of all I have to say, I really like your blog.
I never read the Time article you were talking about, but in my opinion, from reading your post, I think when ever people write, whether it's a book, article, or being on a talk show like Oprah, they should speak from their own perspectives, and not lump all bipolars into one mold.
A lot of times I see these little glimpses of a persons life turn into a judgement of all people with bipolar. I always get hopeful when I see a TV program bring it out, but then I'm usually dissapointed, as I was with the Oprah show.
There is such a huge spectrum out there, that no one article,book, or persons experience can touch on everything, nor can it help to erase stigma either at all, or very much.
I do feel that it's a good thing to express these things though, and to have it written nartionally even if it doesn't erase stigma, it may touch someone to get help for their own bipolar, or help someone to see it from a different perspective.

[Jim Buchanan]

I don't run into overt stigma very often, but when I do, it can be quite unpleasant. Once I tried to volunteer for a well known organization, and was being interviewed. All was going very well until the subject of bipolar came up (they asked about health issues, which was at least sort of reasonable in this case). The interviewer almost shut down and ended the interview. I never heard a word from them.

The more hidden stigma can be bad as well. I was diagnosed when I still worked. My supervisor was the one who sent me to the mental health center for an assessment. He was great about the whole thing. But then he got promoted to another position and his replacements were not so great. Lots of little things, but they added up. I'm certain that the cause was the stigma of mental illness, but I have no proof of that at all.

That said, in general I don't run into too much stigma in day to day life.

[Another Manic Monday]

The only time that I know of that a stigma has been attached to me was when I got a ticket to work and I started contacting agencies to hep me. Their job is to help people with disabilaties but one of them will not help anyone who is bp. I was told they wouldn't take 'my kind' as clients.

[Another Manic Monday]

I heard a photographer complaining last week that he hadn't been warned that one of the kids, who had been misbehaving, was autistic. The woman that he was telling this to said that maybe the child was bipolar because they sometimes had erratic behavior and acted up. And she started giving an example of someone she knew. Then he made the statement "bipolar people get aggresive when they don't get what they want".

Up to this point I was just listening. Reading this forum I've seen a lot of people post that they have problems with anger but I haven't seen anything that translates into this. Still I could only speak for myself so I said that I don't get aggresive.He asked if I take my medication and I said yes but I wasn't aggressive before I started taking my meds. It turns out he has a bp brother who gets aggresive and as a result he goes around and tells people we are all like that.

[NG]

Hi, I just read your two blogs...Are You Your Disorder? and “Oh No You Didn’t!”. They were both great!
"Are You Your Disorder" really made me think, because I've wondered that myself many times.
“Oh No You Didn’t!” was interesting and I've seen the book you are referring to. I tend to stay away from memoirs because they can get really in depth and I am sensitive to what I read and watch. It's part of the way I manage my bp.
It doesn't sound like the author of the book has her facts straight though? A cure?
From everything I've read there is a way to manage bp but there isn't a cure. If I'm wrong...someone please tell me. I also have this prinited out...
"Bipolar disorder is not a character flaw or sign of personal weakness"

Now, to get to your question :-) dealing with stigma. For me, I'm very careful who I tell about my bp. Although I'm thinking of going back to work part-time and that's brought up a whole new set of concerns for me. I just got a few more books and am trying to learn what I can to be better prepared. We'll see, one step at a time.

"Bipolar disorder is not a character flaw or sign of personal weakness"

[My Dualities]

I know that I have a hard time about looking for a new job or starting a new job whether I should keep the bp a secret. I had that huge problem while teaching and ended up telling in the end, which was a mistake I think. I feel like it is a huge albatross sometimes because I'm also afraid to be myself and be comfortable with the people around me. I work with my parents now, so that isn't an issue, but if I leave it would be again. With my bp I need the flexiblity that I have with my parents to take days off to relax when I need to or come in when I'm depressed to try to maintain a schedule and can work at a slower speed without causing problems. I think it is also a problem because I am not doing something I love, but it is with people I love, so it fuels my emotional rollercoaster.

[Judy W]

I have told the "higher ups" that I have bipolar disorder. Fortunately two of them suffer from depression so that helps out a bit. Two of my closest coworkers thought oh "I would use it as an excuse when I did something out of line." Well one of the coworkers daughters was just diagnosed with dual diagnosis. So guess who she turns to to talk about her issues with her daughter? The other one, I think understands a bit more than she use to. Hmm who am I to say but I think the later could use some meds herself LOL. I get scared about exposing myself but at the same time I hope to break some of the stigma and possibly help some one out in the long run. most of the "higher ups" are retiring soon so hopefully the new generation will be as tolerant of me as the old ones. Guess I will have to wait and find out. Keep your fingers crossed for me

take care

[My Dualities]

I have them both crossed!