Dealing with stigma and finding the new version of you
Hi! I’m not sure if this should be two separate posts but I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 at right before my 20th birthday and I am currently 21.
My first question is what are different ways to cope with the stereotypes and stigma that surround being diagnosed with bipolar? I really want to work in the psych field so I am constantly doing seminars/certifications in that field and I work in women’s healthcare. It’s been really challenging to hear the way people speak about those diagnosed with bipolar. A lot of the time the people speaking aren’t even talking about me (and they have know clue of my diagnosis) but it’s so devastating to hear people I’m supposed to respect make cruel jokes about something I battle with everyday. Pretty broad example of this is “She’s so crazy she must be bipolar” it sounds so dumb but I’ve heard multiple variations of that while working in healthcare. I know it shouldn’t impact me but it really upsets me thinking there’s people out there who see my medical charts and say the same things.
Secondly, when I was younger I used to be a really down to earth positive person, I feel like since my first really bad depression episode (senior year of high school) I’ve lost my whole personality. My mom keeps telling me I’m too intense and I feel it. I just don’t know how I can be “less intense.” I see a therapist and I’m on medication (however Im not as consistent as I need to be with taking it) and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I know that I will never be the same happy 15 year old again and I feel like I’m constantly mourning that happy version of me instead of accepting my “trauma” and moving onto the next chapter. Any advice or niche tricks on ways to accept yourself or just any advice on dealing with bipolar would be greatly appreciated.
I hope you guys have a great day!