I have bipolar disease and want too know why we get such a bum wrap?
I have been on meds for 16 yrs. It took a long time to get a correct mix of meds for me, seroquel and lamictal. I knew I had a problem, but didn’t know why. One day I saw Mark Harmon on tv telling that his sister Chris (whom was married to Rickey Nelson) has bipolar. He told the symptoms and I knew that was me. I told my dr’s for yrs. I thought I had bipolar and was told, “That’s ridiculous.” Bipolar is inherited, as is arthritis, heart disease, bad cholesterol, etc. We don’t just become manic or depressed because we want to. Meds and a medical professional in this field help, but can’t take it away like a depression from your worldly problems, because it is a predisposed mental condition. A therapist told me don’t label yourself bipolar, say, “I have bipolar.” This made me feel a lot better about myself. I’m a good person and have good morals. I ‘m just predisposed with a medical condition I surely didn’t asked for. To me there is no normal for anyone. Every time you laugh, cry, have pain, grieve or any other feeling it changes chemicals and neurotransmitters in your brain. Have you ever thought about that? So please don’t judge us so harshly, because you can’t walk a mile in our shoes.You may be walking that mile and won’t admit or you just don’t realize you have bipolar. Check out bipolar sites.
People who are diagnosed as Bipolar tend to get a bad reputation because so little is know about the disease in the general population. Too often, people automatically assume that being diagnosed with a mental disease/disorder is a weakness. Furthermore, just because it has a genetic link, does not mean that if you did not know of a relative who was bipolar, that the link isn’t there. Think about how often in the past, mental health issues were hidden because of the stigma attached to them.
If you don’t like the reputation as a person living life to the fullest with bipolar, then its your mission to educate the people around you on the true facts. You sound like you have a great head on your shoulders and will do wonderful things with your information and knowledge.
To answer your question honestly, I would have to say that many or some, but not all get a bum rap because despite the health care that is available, the medications that are available, the psychiatric help that is available, many choose to “self treat” with illegal drugs, alcohol whatever it takes to stay on an even keel, or escape from reality. Some try the doctor route but do not give the medication time to work, build up a bloodstream level, get through the initial side effects, after trying one medication they quit and go back to alcohol or cocaine or THC instead of discussing it with their doctor and trying something else. You stuck with it and have not let it interfere with your life; many don’t have that strength. It’s like many diseases: Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, Addictive Medicine…you must first accept the diagnosis, then you must be compliant with care. With your first hand experience I would recommend that you look for Bi-Polar Support Groups and become a strong member, help with counseling and encourage frequent follow up and medication regimens along with emotional support that is greatly needed. This would be a wonderful way for you to help and support others, helping yourself as well. I wish you the best.