Internalizing What Other People Think of Bipolar Disorder

If you’ve read some of the comments here, you know what some other people think of bipolar disorder. Some people think that those with bipolar are manipulative, angry, abusive and some even say we’re downright evil. And it’s easy to internalize what others think of bipolar disorder. It’s easy to believe we are these things. But you are worth more than a single, negative descriptor. You are not what other people think of bipolar disorder.

What People Think of Bipolar

Some people are downright ludicrous when it comes to characterizing people with bipolar disorder. I mean, really, the “evil” word does come up (I Hate the Mentally Ill -- My Ex Was Bipolar and She Was Evil). People blame a bipolar partner for wrecking their lives. People say to never get into a relationship with a person with bipolar disorder. People say such horrible things about us that it contributes to self-stigma and discrimination from others.

The Negatives that Others Think about Bipolar Disorder

And here’s the thing – I have no doubt that some people with bipolar disorder are abusive. I have no doubt that some do wreck the lives of others, in part, because of the illness. And I have no trouble believing that some people with bipolar disorder are angry. But all those things can be said about any group of people, it certainly isn’t limited to those with bipolar disorder (Bipolar Symptoms: What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?).

Those things are simply generalizations. Those things are just experiences that one person had with one person with bipolar that they are putting onto the rest of us. It’s like saying that “African-Americans are angry.” That statement wouldn’t be acceptable because it’s a generalization that’s not remotely true. And people would hear its unfairness and untruthfulness as soon as it was uttered (I would hope.). We would all recognize that characterizing a huge group of people in only one way was unacceptable and it’s the same for generalizing to all those with a mental illness, too. Are there angry African-Americans? I have no doubt that there are. Are all African-Americans angry? No, of course they’re not.

Internalizing What Others Think of Bipolar Disorder

I can tell you that on my dark days, I’m guilty of internalizing some of what others think of bipolar disorder (Living WIth Mental Illness And Self-Stigma). While I know, unequivocally, that I am not those things, some part of me still feels “lesser than” all the “normals” because of these harsh, cold, inaccurate statements. I think in a culture of negativity, this is pretty normal.

You Are Not What Others Think of Bipolar

But you are not what other people think of bipolar disorder. You are worth more than a mere sweeping generalization. You are a person – a whole person. You are a three-dimensional being with foibles and strengths and plusses and minuses. You are complex. You contain multitudes.

Because, as they say in Alcoholics Anonymous, “What other people think of me is none of my business.” And, really, it’s not. If other people want to believe untruths, let them. You know differently. I know differently. We know who we are and that’s what matters. Everything else can just be seen for what it is: petty smallness that should be put in the circular file where it belongs.

Video About Internalizing What Others Think of Bipolar

Image by Techmach.

You can find Natasha Tracy on Facebook or Google+ or @Natasha_Tracy on Twitter or at Bipolar Burble, her blog.