What is your diagnosis?
Bipolar, Schizo-Affective disorder, slight OCD, and Anxiety disorder
How does it affect you?
Being Bipolar has affected me greatly. For almost twenty years I've had difficulty holding jobs, keeping relationships with friends, family, and boyfriends.
How long have you been diagnosed?
I was diagnosed in 1994 at the age of 24.
Bipolar, Schizo-Affective disorder, slight OCD, and Anxiety disorder
How does it affect you?
Being Bipolar has affected me greatly. For almost twenty years I've had difficulty holding jobs, keeping relationships with friends, family, and boyfriends.
How long have you been diagnosed?
I was diagnosed in 1994 at the age of 24.
"I have not been in a psychiatric hospital in
over 10 years - which to me is a great feat!"
Have you ever been hospitalized due to your condition?
I was hospitalized upon my initial diagnosis in 1994 and 3 times after that, all within a six year time period. I have not been in a psychiatric hospital in over 10 years - which to me is a great feat!
Do you feel hospitalization helped you?
The only time I felt hospitalization helped me was the first time (when I was newly diagnosed and was in need of medication supervision) and the last time when I was exhibiting psychotic and suicidal thoughts.
How do you feel about your overall experience with medical healthcare professionals?
I've had great experiences with medical healthcare professionals - no problems at all.
I was hospitalized upon my initial diagnosis in 1994 and 3 times after that, all within a six year time period. I have not been in a psychiatric hospital in over 10 years - which to me is a great feat!
Do you feel hospitalization helped you?
The only time I felt hospitalization helped me was the first time (when I was newly diagnosed and was in need of medication supervision) and the last time when I was exhibiting psychotic and suicidal thoughts.
How do you feel about your overall experience with medical healthcare professionals?
I've had great experiences with medical healthcare professionals - no problems at all.
"My best friend knows about everything and she's extremely supportive!"
What treatment if any are you undertaking?
I am taking medications to treat my Bipolar (Lamictal and Depakote), and I also participate in a woman's support group for depression/anxiety.
Does your treatment have any negative side effects?
In the beginning, before my psychiatrist found the right drugs for me to take, I exhibited a lot of serious side effects. My current medications are great. I have little problems at all with taking them.
Did you share your diagnosis with family and friends?
Yes, my family all know of my having Bipolar. I haven't told everyone in my family about the Schizo-Affective part only because that is newly diagnosed, and I'm still coming to terms with it. My best friend knows about everything and she's extremely supportive!
I am taking medications to treat my Bipolar (Lamictal and Depakote), and I also participate in a woman's support group for depression/anxiety.
Does your treatment have any negative side effects?
In the beginning, before my psychiatrist found the right drugs for me to take, I exhibited a lot of serious side effects. My current medications are great. I have little problems at all with taking them.
Did you share your diagnosis with family and friends?
Yes, my family all know of my having Bipolar. I haven't told everyone in my family about the Schizo-Affective part only because that is newly diagnosed, and I'm still coming to terms with it. My best friend knows about everything and she's extremely supportive!
"I feel it was partly my responsibility to educate them about it, which I believe helped a lot in dispelling a lot of myths and stereotypes about mental illness."
Did any of your family or friends have a negative reaction?
The only person in my family who initially had a negative reaction was my step father. He believed I was doing all this for attention, and I don't think he ever fully grasped what having Bipolar meant.
Have you lost any friends or family due to your mental health issues?
I have lost friends because of my diagnosis when they found out, but I figured they weren't real friends to begin with.
Do you think your family and friends understand your condition?
I think my family and best friend have learned (and are better informed) about my disorders. I feel it was partly my responsibility to educate them about it, which I believe helped a lot in dispelling a lot of myths and stereotypes about mental illness.
The only person in my family who initially had a negative reaction was my step father. He believed I was doing all this for attention, and I don't think he ever fully grasped what having Bipolar meant.
Have you lost any friends or family due to your mental health issues?
I have lost friends because of my diagnosis when they found out, but I figured they weren't real friends to begin with.
Do you think your family and friends understand your condition?
I think my family and best friend have learned (and are better informed) about my disorders. I feel it was partly my responsibility to educate them about it, which I believe helped a lot in dispelling a lot of myths and stereotypes about mental illness.
"There is still so much stigma and misinformation about
Bipolar and what it means. I've had mostly negative feedback"
Do you tell new people about your condition?
I don't tell strangers about my diagnosis. The only time I do is if there is a reason to do so...such as for work, or a new relationship
If so, what kind of reaction do you usually get?
The reaction I get varies. The reaction I received from work was very positive! I was shocked just how supportive and understanding my supervisor and the Store Manager were to my special situation. They've made special provisions for me to help me remain at my job - otherwise I would have had to quit. Telling potential boyfriends is the toughest. There is still so much stigma and misinformation about Bipolar and what it means. I've had mostly negative feedback, but I figure than the guy's not worth my time.
I don't tell strangers about my diagnosis. The only time I do is if there is a reason to do so...such as for work, or a new relationship
If so, what kind of reaction do you usually get?
The reaction I get varies. The reaction I received from work was very positive! I was shocked just how supportive and understanding my supervisor and the Store Manager were to my special situation. They've made special provisions for me to help me remain at my job - otherwise I would have had to quit. Telling potential boyfriends is the toughest. There is still so much stigma and misinformation about Bipolar and what it means. I've had mostly negative feedback, but I figure than the guy's not worth my time.
"Now that I'm older and "wiser" I realize that my self esteem does not have to revolve around my mental health. I'm actually a stronger woman because of it!"
Do you think people perceive you differently once they know of your mental health issues?
Yes, I do feel some people perceive me differently after they find out, but that's only normal. It doesn't usually last long though. It takes time, but after a little education and a good talking to, usually they come around.
Do you feel your mental health has an impact on your self-esteem?
Good question! Yes, I do think my mental health has some bearing on the way I view myself. This was especially true in the beginning when I was first diagnosed...it made me feel horrible about myself, almost like I was a freak. Now that I'm older and "wiser" I realize that my self esteem does not have to revolve around my mental health. I'm actually a stronger woman because of it!
Yes, I do feel some people perceive me differently after they find out, but that's only normal. It doesn't usually last long though. It takes time, but after a little education and a good talking to, usually they come around.
Do you feel your mental health has an impact on your self-esteem?
Good question! Yes, I do think my mental health has some bearing on the way I view myself. This was especially true in the beginning when I was first diagnosed...it made me feel horrible about myself, almost like I was a freak. Now that I'm older and "wiser" I realize that my self esteem does not have to revolve around my mental health. I'm actually a stronger woman because of it!
"I've educated my family and best friend to recognize my "red flags" and in doing so, even when I don't ask for help or refuse it, they still act and won't back down"
What’s important to you when you’re struggling?
What's important to me when I'm going through a tough time is getting the emotional support from friends and family. A lot of time I am withdrawn and don't want help, but down deep I know I need it. I've educated my family and best friend to recognize my "red flags" and in doing so, even when I don't ask for help or refuse it, they still act and won't back down. That helps me immensely!
What keeps you going?
Being thankful for the blessings I have in this life. I may have major mental health disorders, but I'm still blessed in so many ways. God is also a big part of my ability to keep going, especially on those moments when I'm so low and depressed that I don't think I can go on. I'm not an overly religious person, more spiritual, but it is definitely a big part of how I can keep going. The support group I'm involved in is also a huge support to me. Great group of ladies!
What's important to me when I'm going through a tough time is getting the emotional support from friends and family. A lot of time I am withdrawn and don't want help, but down deep I know I need it. I've educated my family and best friend to recognize my "red flags" and in doing so, even when I don't ask for help or refuse it, they still act and won't back down. That helps me immensely!
What keeps you going?
Being thankful for the blessings I have in this life. I may have major mental health disorders, but I'm still blessed in so many ways. God is also a big part of my ability to keep going, especially on those moments when I'm so low and depressed that I don't think I can go on. I'm not an overly religious person, more spiritual, but it is definitely a big part of how I can keep going. The support group I'm involved in is also a huge support to me. Great group of ladies!