FYI...
Nicole (who is fantastic, by the way) from Bipolar Princess contacted me this morning about a site that she's keeping as a support group for people who have Bipolar Disorder and their families. I think that's great, and you should check it out if you or someone that you care about suffers from the disease. First though, I'd like to add my own personal note...
I know that many people who have Bipolar Disorder are suffering beyond belief. I'm truly one of the lucky ones, for the I've conquered some of the hardest stuff that my disease brings to my life. However, I would like to mention something that is by no means a slap in the face to anyone else with Bipolar Disorder, just my own personal reflection on what I've been through...
Maybe I misspoke before, I don't think it's just luck that's gotten me this far, in fact I know it isn't. It's tons of hard work, and a lot of my parents' hard earned cash. I've been treated by psychiatrists who seemed ready to give up on me right away when they heard I was Bipolar... "Bipolars are non-compliant on meds," "Bipolars are egomaniacs," "Bipolars don't always think they need help," BLAH BLAH BLAH... I have to say I think about half the struggles I had in the beginning were due to being told over and over by my healthcare professionals that I'd never be able to truly help myself because I was Bipolar and Bipolars are a difficult group. They wrote me off right away. They labeled me "Bipolar" and read me lists of "Classic" Bipolar traits, then pushed me out into the world.
The only success I ever had started when I decided that I'm not Bipolar Disorder. I'm Etoile. I HAVE Bipolar Disorder. I also have a stubborn streak, a generous heart, and a forgiving nature. They're all a part of me, but none of them define me. Once I stopped letting Bipolar define my life I felt so much better. I take care of myself, I go to my therapist regularly as well as my new psychiatrist who treats me like Etoile, not like Etoile the Bipolar. These things are important. Bipolar Disorder CAN ruin your life, but it doesn't have to. Strong support systems, good doctors and a lot of persistence can get you where you want to be.
I read Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath to remind myself that from insanity often comes genius. I write in my journal and in my blog often to get the madness out of my head. I take my meds every day, because I know they keep me safe. When I stopped letting my disorder be my condemnation I became more whole, and a lot happier.
If you're searching for answers, educate yourself. But don't just educate yourself on Bipolar Disorder, educate yourself on YOU. Do the hard work and know yourself, not just your disorder.
Visit Take a Stand for Mental Illness, there's tons of good information there. Also, read DETOUR: My Bipolar Roadtrip in 4-D, by Lizzie Simon, it was the best thing I read for myself, and I bought copies for my parents and my boyfriend.
Now I'm going to put my Bipolar soapbox away.
And I'm out folks... It's time for my trip, I'll try to post on the road, but I have a feeling I'll be too busy. Love to all.. Check back August 8th, when I'll post a comprehensive analysis of D's friends and family and how it all went.
Kisses and Love.
Nicole (who is fantastic, by the way) from Bipolar Princess contacted me this morning about a site that she's keeping as a support group for people who have Bipolar Disorder and their families. I think that's great, and you should check it out if you or someone that you care about suffers from the disease. First though, I'd like to add my own personal note...
I know that many people who have Bipolar Disorder are suffering beyond belief. I'm truly one of the lucky ones, for the I've conquered some of the hardest stuff that my disease brings to my life. However, I would like to mention something that is by no means a slap in the face to anyone else with Bipolar Disorder, just my own personal reflection on what I've been through...
Maybe I misspoke before, I don't think it's just luck that's gotten me this far, in fact I know it isn't. It's tons of hard work, and a lot of my parents' hard earned cash. I've been treated by psychiatrists who seemed ready to give up on me right away when they heard I was Bipolar... "Bipolars are non-compliant on meds," "Bipolars are egomaniacs," "Bipolars don't always think they need help," BLAH BLAH BLAH... I have to say I think about half the struggles I had in the beginning were due to being told over and over by my healthcare professionals that I'd never be able to truly help myself because I was Bipolar and Bipolars are a difficult group. They wrote me off right away. They labeled me "Bipolar" and read me lists of "Classic" Bipolar traits, then pushed me out into the world.
The only success I ever had started when I decided that I'm not Bipolar Disorder. I'm Etoile. I HAVE Bipolar Disorder. I also have a stubborn streak, a generous heart, and a forgiving nature. They're all a part of me, but none of them define me. Once I stopped letting Bipolar define my life I felt so much better. I take care of myself, I go to my therapist regularly as well as my new psychiatrist who treats me like Etoile, not like Etoile the Bipolar. These things are important. Bipolar Disorder CAN ruin your life, but it doesn't have to. Strong support systems, good doctors and a lot of persistence can get you where you want to be.
I read Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath to remind myself that from insanity often comes genius. I write in my journal and in my blog often to get the madness out of my head. I take my meds every day, because I know they keep me safe. When I stopped letting my disorder be my condemnation I became more whole, and a lot happier.
If you're searching for answers, educate yourself. But don't just educate yourself on Bipolar Disorder, educate yourself on YOU. Do the hard work and know yourself, not just your disorder.
Visit Take a Stand for Mental Illness, there's tons of good information there. Also, read DETOUR: My Bipolar Roadtrip in 4-D, by Lizzie Simon, it was the best thing I read for myself, and I bought copies for my parents and my boyfriend.
Now I'm going to put my Bipolar soapbox away.
And I'm out folks... It's time for my trip, I'll try to post on the road, but I have a feeling I'll be too busy. Love to all.. Check back August 8th, when I'll post a comprehensive analysis of D's friends and family and how it all went.
Kisses and Love.
5 Comments:
Just wanted to say that I HAVE bipolar too (along with a touch of schizophrenia) and ADD. I have finally found a good therapist and pdoc after seeing 11 previous pdocs. I finally have some hope now that I have some compitant doctors. Anyway, I do am in Colorado. I hope your vacation goes well.
Thank you for the plug Etoile! Blogs have been the most helpful in my fight against bipolar. Seeing how other people cope, how their symptoms differ, and learning how to support them. I've made wonderful friends here. I hope I can help others as much as they have all helped me.
Trust you Storm!
You are right. Nicole is a diamond in a coal mine. All of us who know her are lucky. I dont know if Nicole told you about the collaborative site that she and I started. We are looking for additional members to contribute to the site. Please visit us, and if interested, send nicole or me an email.
Cool post. It's very true what you're saying here. It takes a lot of hard work to overcome mental illness, and whatever our diseases are, it does NOT define us.
I don't have Bipolar, but I have Borderline personality which is very agonizing to live with as well.
Take care
Polar
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