Telling Others About Bipolar Disorder
Published: Wed, 12/21/11
Hi ,
How's it going?
I hope you are doing well.
I wanted to discuss something that is
a difficult aspect of living with bipolar disorder.
Many people that are bipolar have difficulty
telling those around them of their condition.
They are afraid they will be judged,
or that others will not quite understand
what being bipolar means.
Telling others about your disorder
is purely a personal choice.
I have seen that many people are able
to relax and be themselves once they let
others know they are bipolar, and no
longer feel like they are 'hiding'
something from their friends.
Once those you are surrounded
by know that you have bipolar disorder,
they can often understand you much
better and do not wonder why
you are acting a certain way.
It is common for those who are bipolar
to feel that others do not notice their
illness, when in fact their behaviors
suggest other wise. Once they let
others know they are bipolar, they are
often told that others "just knew something
was not right" and that they now understand
their actions a bit better than before.
Of course there is always a right time
and place to tell others about your
bipolar disorder. A first date or job
interview are probably two times
where it would be best to not discuss
your disorder. The most important thing
about telling others about your disorder
is waiting until you feel comfortable with
another person to tell them.
A friend of mine was having a particularly
bad manic episode and people at her job
knew something was amiss. She
was coming in late for work,
and when she was at work she
seemed scattered and disorganized.
She finally confided in a close coworker
that she was bipolar. Once she told her close
coworker, she allowed her coworker to
let others know of her condition
(since she did not feel 100% comfortable
speaking to everyone). Once her
coworkers knew of her condition
they were much more understanding
of things and she was able to relax more at
work. Of course there was one coworker in
particular who was rude to her and
judged her, but she realized what was
important was that 99% of her coworkers
supporter her and were there for her.
There are many laws that protect against
discrimination in the workplace,
and if you feel that once you do
confide in your coworkers that you are bipolar,
you are legally protected from any sort of
discrimination.
Again, it really is a personal choice,
but often confiding in others about your
disorder can educate others and make
things a lot easier on yourself.
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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