Like many of the readers who contact me, I've long struggled with when and if I tell people that I have bipolar disorder. Of course my whole extended family and many friends know, but it isn't the kind of thing that you shout out to the world.
Recently someone I know who is a friend on facebook posted something on my wall referencing me being bipolar and I didn't know what to do. I ended up deleting their post because I use facebook to network for work. When I'm not taking care of my beautiful little girl, I'm a web developer and IT consultant and several of my clients are connected to me on facebook and twitter.
It's funny because it isn't as if I am hiding my condition. I was interviewed in the book - Taming Bipolar Disorder (which I recommend anyone with bipolar disorder read, especially if you are newly diagnosed) and they used my full name and my company's name.
And most recently I was interviewed for an article about bipolar disorder and pregnancy. The article is scheduled to be published on Health.com in the next 2-3 weeks. I'll update this when the article is up. In both of these instances I thought it was important to be willing to use my full name to let people who are also in the same boat with bipolar disorder know that they are not alone and that being bipolar isn't anything you need to hide.
There have been numerous times when I felt nervous about telling a new friend that I am bipolar. I always worry that they might think I'm crazy and not want anything more to do with me. Luckily that only happened once.
What's your experience with telling people you have bipolar disorder? Leave a comment or email me at bipolarpregnancy @ gmail.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Resolution - to Get Back on Track
The past year I've had some of the best moments of my life. It's the little moments I cherish. Like when my baby (who turned 1 two weeks ago) runs over to me and hugs me. Or when she gives me a kiss. She is an amazing little girl and as cliche as it is, she is the light of my life.
Unfortunately 2008 has also brought some not so happy moments. After years of stability I've been struggling off and on since my daughter's birth in Dec. 07. I never thought that it would last this long. There have been days when I didn't want to get out of bed and days I was flying high with hypomania. There were also days in the last month of rapid cycling between depression, hypomania and extreme irritability. I have recently added Abilify to the Lamictal and Ativan and hope that it will get me back on track.
So my New Year's Resolution is to find my mood stability! I know that medicine is only half the battle the other part is up to me with exercise, good nutrition, supplements and maintaining a good attitude.
I have been blessed to have virtually "met" many wonderful people through this blog. I wish all of you success in your pregnancies.
Best wishes for a Happy and HEALTHY 2009,
Rachael
Unfortunately 2008 has also brought some not so happy moments. After years of stability I've been struggling off and on since my daughter's birth in Dec. 07. I never thought that it would last this long. There have been days when I didn't want to get out of bed and days I was flying high with hypomania. There were also days in the last month of rapid cycling between depression, hypomania and extreme irritability. I have recently added Abilify to the Lamictal and Ativan and hope that it will get me back on track.
So my New Year's Resolution is to find my mood stability! I know that medicine is only half the battle the other part is up to me with exercise, good nutrition, supplements and maintaining a good attitude.
I have been blessed to have virtually "met" many wonderful people through this blog. I wish all of you success in your pregnancies.
Best wishes for a Happy and HEALTHY 2009,
Rachael
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