I’ve had a couple of comments about a post a couple of months back, about the fact that it *seems* I’m saying bipolar disorder is comparitable to PMT. I had another editor friend go back and read it, and she’s told me that’s not how it reads, and that the person that emailed me demanding that I remove it, because I’m adding to the ‘uneducated’ masses is wrong.
And her reaction was exactly what I’m talking about.
Bipolars tend to jump to conclusions. Even *I* do it and I work with words on a daily basis. We don’t always understand that just because we’ve got a perfect grasp of what Bipolar disorder actually *IS* that others need something to reference to.
So – I’m going to explain one myth that I talked about specifically.
Myth: Bipolars have an excuse for ‘bad’ behaviour.
Fact: We are just as in control of our reactions as most others, most of the time. Bipolar disorder isn’t any more of an excuse for rudeness than having a bad day, PMT or sleep problems. Sometimes our control is a bit stretched, especially in times of stress and difficulty, but the fact of the matter remains that we cannot excuse our bad behavior any more than anyone else.
The MYTH is that as bipolars, we can be excused for everything we do, simply because we are bipolar. We can be bad tempered, throw tantrums, beguile, lie, cheat, steal….you get the picture – because we’re bipolar?
And I say NO.
I say that just as people with PMT are expected to operate within the bounds of acceptable human behaviour, on a day to day basis – so are bipolars. Of course, there’s exceptions to the rule – sometimes we’re not ‘behaving badly’. Sometimes we’re out of control – which is why I’ve picked up this myth where I left off.
Being bipolar is sometimes like having a designated driver. We’ shrug into’ that persona, because its the only way to do our ‘every day’ things. We drive ourselves through the day, to the safest places we can find, until there’s nothing left, and we’re on our own again. Its not that we’re drunk, but in control of an imperfect reaction to the world. Which means we CAN be dangerous too. Or just sad. Or too happy to control ourselves properly.
Bipolars ARE just as capable of being ‘normal’ – or within the bounds of what society expects of its inhabitants. But sometimes, just sometimes, we need a designated driver to pull us out. Be that our alteregos, or our personas, or our carers.
In the next couple of months, I’m going to be specifically writing content to support – thank – and explain work with our carers. Because though we’re strong, wonderful, amazing, perfect souls, our carers are ANGELS.
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My husband has just been diagnosed as bipolar and is in denial.
Once he accepts he is bipolar I would try to make him go through your blog.
Thanks!
Aparna.