ITs time to tell them about my bipolar..but how?

[Nad]

Hello BB Citizens,

its been 5 years now since i have been diagnosed with bipolar type 2. Since then, i've gone through sooo many different medications and each day is a roller coaster ride for me. For those that don't know i'm bp, they just see me as an emotional guy that goes up and down. I get judged that i'm temperamental and unstable. My mornings are ridiculous difficult. To be precise, i wake up tired, not motivated, afraid of the day, afraid of peoples judgement, uncomfortable in my own skin, nausious, light headed, electric shock to the face feeling. This is easily presented in my facial and body expression. So when i'm at work between 8-10 people say "mate, u look dead, get more sleep". after 10 i'm back to stable normal or if there's something exciting happening, i go along with it. Then around 2pm i'm back to the same dead feeling.

I was absent at work for 3 weeks having ECT treatment and working from home. alot of questions were flung around the office as to what happen to me but my manager didn't tell them. Due to ECT not working, i'm now about to do rTMS which will consume around 1 month off work. i'm planning now to email all people i interact with at work about my bp and the journey i've been on however i don't know how to deliver this information to them. i don't want to be emailing everyone making it like a sob story or a sympathy stab.....

Can i get some suggestions please

[meercat]

Hi Nad.

As you might have seen in my posts, iv tiptoed around people for years with the fear they might find out. Not any more.

Maybe after watching 2 nights tv this week about an aussie artist with MI, people might get it!

meercat xx

[MarnieH]

Hi Nads - it didn’t cost me “anything” because I have private health insurance and went to a private hospital mental health unit for the TMS. I’d already paid the excess for the year so my admission was covered by my provider. I’ve really gotten my money’s worth from my private health over the last many years I’ve been unwell, not just with admissions. But with psychology etc.

The other thing I really liked with TMS is it’s not invasive, no general anasthetic needed, no possible memory loss etc. if anything it’s a bit annoying! But doesn’t have a lot of the possible side effects of ECT.

Again I think you’re so brave to be thinking about telling your colleagues about your bipolar. But remember as well that it’s YOUR CONDITION. If you want tell them you struggle from mental illness without the specifics if you’re worried about how they’ll react to the actual diagnosis. It’s your news to tell Not their news to know.

x hope this helps!

[Croix]

Dear Nad~

OK, I can see why your colleagues might need to know something. Again this is me, and my ideas are not for everyone, however I'd say "I have a medical problem, it keeps me away from work" and leave it at that.

If anyone asks more then I guess I would use my judgment and either say I don't want to discuss it, or if I had faith in them take them into my confidence and ask them to let you leave things private.

Now this may not work and someone may tell everyone anyway. From my experience there are an awful lot of good and sympathetic people in the world who understand ill-fortune and illness and behave sensibly. Unfortunately there are others who are shallow, cruel, or unthinking and they can make anyone's life miserable.

Whatever you decide you can be sure we are here for you

Croix

[Guest_128]

Hey Nads,

Heres what you do,

Shave your head,get a pink ribbon tattooed to your forehead, borrow a wheel chair,get in ya pjs and sit and wait in the lunch room.

Then say surprise, what do you think is wrong with me???

Sorry Nads, it brings out the crabs in me😡

Just showing my love.

Dory

[Nad]

BAHAHAHAHAHA. oh em gee Dory i could imagine how funny that'd be. only problem is i don't think i could keep a straight face. i also think that i wouldn't last 10min as i'd be pushed to an office to discuss whats the problem :P.

Hi Croix, i see your point of view and i guess your method could work. at the end of the day i have to make a choice soon because my rTMS is coming up. i'll make sure that i'll advise everyone on this forum as to what i choose in the end

[Guest_128]

Just do it dude!!!!!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I am glad I made you laugh.

Dory

[Just Ken]

I've been going through this recently. It just seemed the right thing to tell the people covering for me at work what the reason was.