3 Ways to Talk about Bipolar Disorder with Family, Friends | HealthyPlace

I Disclosed My Bipolar Disorder on Facebook

Talking about bipolar disorder to family and friends is a process that requires patience. It’s a topic that is rarely discussed within families, and not your typical dinner conversation. However, I believe that if those closest to us can absorb knowledge about bipolar disorder in a way that's comfortable for them, it makes discussing it easier for everyone.

Talking about a bipolar disorder diagnosis with those closest to you though is not an easy task. We fear judgment and rejection from our family and friends. So how do we do it? In this video, I share three ways to talk about bipolar to family and friends.
1. Sparking their curiosity
2. Potentially getting a licensed counselor involved as a medium
3. Asking them questions about the way in which our diagnosis may affect them

These are all great ways to get the conversation going.

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MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO TALK ABOUT BIPOLAR

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[joymechell]

I don't know why I can have an in depth conversation with strangers about my bipolar, but my family couldn't care less 🤷🏽‍♀️ my mom won't even look it up or acknowledge. All they do is mock me and make me feel ashamed and abnormal

[juliemccracken]

While I have only been successful to have a connection with a small handful of family members of many over 40 years, while only mentally "well, " I have been more successful to explain with friends, although I have kept the number a very small number, which has caused difficulty when I would develop symptoms of mental "illness." One friend of 32 years like that I say, when going inpatient, that I am going in for a "check-up." The hard part is when I was diagnosed the first time, I just turned 21 and back then bi-polar was referred to as manic-depression and my father was embarrassed or something, for his eldest daughter (of 7) was on drugs given by a quack. I later learned, when he was very young he had to take his father to the same institution that he took me a few years later when I came to his home in the middle of the night whacked out of my mind. I eventually "loved my family from a distance" in order to get healthy and have become active in the field of dual diagnosed disorders! Thanks for sharing this and reading my long comment. I am going to subscribe to your "blog."

[ClandestineGirlX]

great video 💜 my mom wont acknowledge my bipolar, she refuses to think it is a real thing. shed believe in the boogeyman first lol

[krystalboll]

Thank you so much for this. I couldn’t find ANY other videos on how to address this with my family

[anateresageraldo]

I decided to share with my parents some medical informations in letters. We live in the same place but communication was not easy when all family realised that there was "a problem". But, friends were worst. I knew that some of them were going away because its really difficult to understand our way of living. Bipolar 2 are people that can have their normal life. Most of them are extremely creative and who seems to need many attention (or the "normal" ones we are love needy)... I think it is not the point. We are creativity and we are intense in our emotions.
So for my friends, I dedided to make some choice and divided them in two groups: the ones that know my problem, the ones that dont know it. For the first group, I talk to them and share cute and humour videos, but with credible information! For me was the best way. So, I recommend it!

[caseyouellette]

From my perspective, those of us who want to learn to be supportive can also receive somewhat misleading information. For example, when I was in college (I'm 27), one of my psychology professors explained bipolar disorder like this. Mania, is basically where you feel like you're the happiest, most productive person (who also happens to spend excessive amounts of money and thinks they can fly if they jump off a building). Depression was described as an extreme form of sadness where you just don't feel like doing anything. It was not explained that there are several types of bipolar disorder or that each individual can experience different symptoms.

[caseyouellette]

And as far as how to tell someone you care about that you have bipolar disorder, honestly my ex-boyfriend told me a few days before we started dating. He figured if I responded negatively then we obviously wouldn't make a good couple. We were having a casual conversation about a friend (one of his roommates who I used to work with also has bipolar disorder), and he just casually mentioned that he had it as well. So if you're afraid that people might react negatively, you might be surprised just how many people will react positively.

[happydonita]

Another great video! It took my mother a long time to realize bipolar is mostly because she was afraid that it was "her fault." My advise is to think about where your family/friends are coming from. What are their fears? How were they raised? When you think of each person's personal sensitivities, you are less likely to cause fear, less likely to offend. NAMI has lots of info on how to talk to/educate your family and your community. Go HANNAH Go! You Rock SISTER! SENDING LOVE

[jaimeviolet]

Hannah. I Learned a long time as women, having a baby not a good idea, when having bipolar, because women more at risk for manic episodes during pregnancy, because can't be on your meds. Jaime

[georgeshotrodbarn]

Hannah good video this is very important subject. one the that I talked to my sister about was triggers what they were how they would make feel and how to avoid them. for example I do not get along with my brother if she brings him up I will be pissed for two or three days. now that she knows what a trigger is I can tell her bring up my brother is a trigger and not do it until I am ready to talk about him. ps miss the hoops

[jaimeviolet]

I struggle having problem about bipolar subject, with my father. It's easy with my mom because she retried nurse!Jaime

[heatherhuntsman]

Hi Hannah, Really good info. I just changed meds, and well when we were together in the car or a Dr.'s appointment, I said I changed my meds, to someone at home, I would take the opportunity to chat about my feelings or meds. I will see, I think I will lead by them noticing a difference. I am staying focused on being calm, cool, collected. I am feeling pretty good. :) xoxo kisses, hugs Hannah

[gabssferreiro]

is there anyone who can give advice on how to explain bipolar disorder to hispanic parents? and how to get them to think it’s not a hoax/you’re not lying