who has experience with bipolar?

[Pounce]

My psychologist and gp both suspected that I had bipolar. After waiting two months for a psychiatrist appointment, he has confirmed that he agrees that I have bipolar. Luckily I was in a good mood so I've held it together pretty well. But it's a big secret. I've only told one person, who has ptsd, so I knew he would be understanding. But how do I tell others? And who??? And how to deal with this diagnosis? Does anyone here have experience in this area?

[Chris_B]

Hi Pounce, I have a diagnosis of bipolar. We have a few threads on this if you're wanting to find others on the forums who do too:

Just diagnosed with bipolar

Bipolar diagnosis

What's good about bipolar?

Bipolar type 2 depression questions

​Bipolar type 2 and anger management

Bipolar and have 3 kids with mental illness

Recent diagnosis of borderline bipolar

In terms of whether you should disclose and who to, have a look at this pros and cons tool on our Heads Up website. Although this tool is aimed at helping you decide whether or not to disclose your mental illness in the workplace, it gives you an idea of some of the general issues around disclosure that may come up.

We also have a thread on this:

To tell or not to tell? Level of openness regarding your mental illness

[Pounce]

Thanks Chris! That's really helpful 🙂

[Miss-Anne-Throwpy]

Took me years. I got a few 2nd opinions too.

Medications are a downer. Hope you find the right one for you quickly.

After awhile I learned to work with triggers in mind and aim for joy as the meaning of life. Folks don't get me as they don't know. I told a Manager once and she said get over it. I told an HR once and suddenly the rules around my employment changed. I was casual. Anyways, mostly I don't tell and normally just get on with it.