Also!

[allie77]

I want to come out with being Bipolar. But i am afraid as some people that have known about my Bipolar havent treated it the way it should be treated.. How do I tell certain loved ones that they need to change the way they are dealing with me on a down day? Any ideas?

[lagatta]

My husband and is really cool with it.  He just sees it as a label and it hasn't affected the way he deals with me.  On the other hand, my parents and sisters use it against me which is no surprise.  I really should have used better judgement but at the time I was hoping I would get some support.

[guidos1]

I tell everyone that I'm bipolar and ADHD.  Just to let them know that if I don't seem quite right sometimes it's probably because of one or the other or both.  I personally don't care what others think.  I also have Systemic Lupus.  'As far a work goes I filed FMLA papers signed by my doctor that says I might miss work  for 3-5 days at a time and this could occur from 1-4 times a month.  Yes, this means I could miss everyday, however that's not economically pheasable.  I've got bills to pay.  But since I put in that paperwork, I don't get ANY **** at all from my bosses at work for missing work.  If you're having problems at work, I highly suggest you get some FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) paperwork, have your doctor fill it out saying you will miss work occassionally, actually hard numbers are better, and turn it in to your boss.  Once these papers are approved you can miss up to 12 weeks of work per year due to your disability and your bosses can't touch you for it.  Hope this helped.

[allie77]

thanks everyone : )
good luck all

[Lizz67]

As you get to know what you need when you're down it will be easier for you to know what you want to ask from others.  It will probably make you feel strong to talk to your family members, but they may not change. I don't mean to sound pessimistic, I just mean to remind you that we can't always change how people act.  But I think you should go ahead and let them know. The best advice would be to be calm and not blaming because this will turn them off right away.

Out in the "real world" I am very careful.  I almost wasn't hired for one job, lost my free-lance business, and was reassigned by my current employer after my last hospitalization. I am currently screwing around with a 3-year lawsuit, that I want to  continue because I don't want anyone to get away with discrimination.  So, Now I'm "out" I guess, but not with most of my corworkers.

Best of luck

[monkeyc]

irishwriter is right - there's no good way but I also think there's no bad way - I just tell them and be done with it now, I dont have any need to hide it.

I mention it in job interviews and I have no hesitation discussing it withe people - My current manager was told upfront before I was hired and thats worked well for us.

Now thats me.  Not everyone is at the point where they have the confidence or in my case don't much care what most people think about them - however as suggested books are a good starting point or there is an excellent fact sheet on Beyond Blue's website (they are an Australian group but its not regional information)

www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=6.1068&tmp=FileDownload&fid=1149

Best idea is to play it slow and easy and hope they will understand, most importantly NEVER let yourself feel guilty or bad because you are bipolar - you are and thats not your fault, you didnt ask for it and you cant stop it - it does not define who you are - you are not the disease. Or at least thats what I try and live by anyway.

[irishwriter]

there's no good way to tell people. suggest some reccommended reading to them that they might understand a bit more about what is actually going on, kay redfield jamison an unquiet mind is a good one. let them know you need to be treated normally as they would with someone with diabetes or asthma.

[jimgreg]

if they love you then they will adapt to what ur needs are.. the bp is not easy for anyone..like I said if they love you and there ur friends it will just happen..good luck my friend...james anytime im here..