My cousin was there that night and I was trying to build up the guts to tell her… Took me about 2 hours, and I drank a lot of wine… then finally told her! The body language above came on, and she said: I already know, aunt so and so told me. Just like that. No ”Do you need to talk about it” no ”How are you doing?” nada.

Apparently most of them already knew from speaking to each other. I was very hurt because the private conversations I’d had with this aunt were exactly that - private. She was in fact, sharing my BPD diagnosis with others. It took me a long time to get over that, a lot of crying, mad times, just so hurt, so betrayed.

Then it occured to me to ask someone else that is close enough to know, if they had shared the info. Well, they had. And so on, and so on….

I had to think outside of the box that is BPD, and realize that it is ”normal” which is not to say respectful. I’m proud to say that I am a respectful person, and if you share something private with me, IT WILL NOT BE REVEALED!

I just told everyone I knew that I am BP, through a social network, only yesterday. Funny part is, they probably all know… I say let them get weeded out naturally! You can’t please everyone that’s for damn sure! For those with tunnel vision I can only hope they will get better one day.

Since my meds work fine, I didn’t want to risk messing them up with more meds. I now eat real food: meat, veges, fruit and a few health suppliments. A multi-vitamin and other things that are high in protein and B vitamins. This stuff doesn’t cure bi-polar (no matter what is claimed), but I usually don’t need a nap during the day now.

My blood pressure is back to normal. Make suppliment additions slowly, don’t do the “mega-dose” some health people recommend, it can get you all out of balance.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

I’m sure you know this already, but when discussing this stuff NEVER use the term “Manic Depressive”. People stop at “Manic” and sometimes they drop you and run for the hills.

Sometimes I just explain that my brain chemistry is messed-up. Sadly, there is still prejudice out there. But, thanks to the internet, people are making connections and that is so good.

Have a great day!

You don’t only look at the negative which is an amazing trait that many don’t have when it comes to their disorders. You have brought up many great points and have actually inspired juice to an article that I will be posting as someone had written into me asking me if they should expose their disorder or not. It was not Bipolar, but still a disorder with stigmas attached and all. With your permission, I may use a linkback for you to reference your article. I think it’s wonderful!

You give great suggestions for whether or not to tell family, friends, co-workers, etc. and I think it is all very personal and individual as to whether or not you choose to share. Sometimes it can help others to understand you better. Sometimes you’d be surprised that others may share your diagnosis. Sometimes it can be very therapeutic to share. And other times it might backfire due to stigma and the closed minded people behind the creation of the stigmas. So, using good judgment as you share here is very important.

Thank you for sharing such wonderful information.

I have used your blog as an example on GLCzone.com’s home page and I was hoping this was OK with you. Your blog was chosen as one of the best and we will be featuring articles on the home page soon with blog URL linkbacks, and yours (with your permission) will be one! You’ll receive an email about it soon.

Doc KC