So much judgement is passed and all any of us wants is to feel loved. My hope is that we stop the judgements and accept others where they are and love them as they are — bipolar or not. But if you find yourself being judged by others, all the control is in your hands. You can choose to let judgements bother you, make you sad and bitter, or you can choose to move past the judgement and love people anyway. I hope we all have the strength and courage to choose the latter.
this topic today is one I definitely struggle with
I’d say you’re definitely not alone!
I struggle with judgement in my workplace. I would love to disclose and be part of shattering the stigma but I fear that judgement at work means loss of employment and needed income.
You are touching on what I believe is a HUGE reason why so many stay in the so-to-speak “bipolar closet.” And that reason is fear of losing employment. I am currently a stay-at-home mom and have not been employed for over a decade, so don’t you know I have some anxiety about getting a job when my kids are all in school! You google my name and the first thing that comes up is that I have bipolar. I knew this, of course, before I began blogging about my life with bipolar. But my rationale was that I wouldn’t want to work for someone who wouldn’t hire me based on my bipolar diagnosis. I completely understand what you are saying though, opening yourself up to judgement is a very difficult decision to make. And a decision to make very carefully. Eiher way, I don’t believe you owe an explanation to anyone, and disclosing your diagnosis is something you should do only if you WANT to and feel comfortable doing so. Much love to you, and thank you for sharing!
Amen! Most people still don’t understand and believe you’re a freak who chooses to give in.
But we know we aren’t, and that’s what is important.
Your video helped me feel like I’m ok. My husband use to be so understanding. I was diagnosed when I was 30. I had a complete psychotic break down. My children were 9 and 4. My daughter who is 34 has 2 children and she doesn’t understand why I can’t just push myself and snap out of it. My son is kinder. I have a new problem that know specialist can diagnose yet. I’m dizzy,have fatigue and several other symptoms. My husband gets angry with me and makes me feel like no one understands me and everyone would be happy if I wasn’t in their life. I am a Christian and I spend time reading the Bible and praying. I work so hard but I’m never good enough. I just want to check myself in a nursing home or something even though I’m only 54. I’ve never been in so much pain. I have always just took it but I’m tired of everyone thinking bad about me.
I “retired” from a 30 year career 5 years ago at age 54. I’m afraid to say I haven’t tried to seek bonefied employment since then because the shattered relationships at work were too oppressive to think about repeating in another organization. For me, I could, if barely, afford to retire. Since then, by volunteering on committees or otherwise working with others, I’ve recognized the same patterns that became worse during the last phase of my career – unpredictable mania in the form of irritability, rapid unfocused talking, losing temper, intolerance of others’ opinions mixed with a calm demeanor, good work and at least satisfactory communication. Thinking from a Christian perspective, I don’t want to be the person I am today who is unpredictably offensive to others.