@parus it does take years and I don't think it ever becomes easy, ar least it has not for me. I need to keep reminding myself but I still end up feeling selfish.
JK

Yes, yes, yes, yes, JK ..... I end up feeling like the bad guy because I "should" do these things. I know exactly how you feel.
abby

@amberpep, Give yourself a pat on the back each time that you make a decision / choice to take care of yourself!
Rosemary

@amberpep and others - most people don't know about my problems, so they probably have a variety of ideas why I have a service dog, and why I don't stand in church - unrelated issues. I'm sometimes uncomfortable when a person asks what service my dog provides, or why I have her. Usually, I say, "she's a psychiatric service dog", and people don't often pursue the issue. I guess I'm more sensitive about it than necessary. The mental health stigma lives on. I don't usually worry about what others are thinking about me, with the exception of family. I appreciate the ones who understand and don't think I should be over it by now, or that I should have figured out how to be undepressed by now. That last one is a verbatim comment made by my wife awhile ago.

Jim

Hi Jim, @jimhd

Yes, the stigma does continue - and that is most unfortunate. I know that you continue to break down the stigma by your efforts to educate others, but I also know that it is not an easy task - you are a hero in your efforts here at Mayo Connect and we are pleased to have you!

Teresa

I try to tell people I am Bipolar and get many reactions. Some just change the subject, some say: "you don't act like it", some have asked that I let them know when I'm going to have a bad day, some have even told me I have to choose whether I'm going to have a good or bad day, they just don't understand nor do they want to. I even suggested we have a support group in our church for emotional illness and was told we couldn't be responsible for this kind of group. Why not? They have a group for recovered alcoholics, weight help, grieving, healing, etc. I believe God would honor us as well.

@hopeful33250 - Thank you, Teresa.

@liz223 - Absolutely! Is there a Celebrate Recovery group in your area? It could be a good resource. Their motto is recovery for "hurts, habits and hangups". A group meets at our church, but it's an hour of driving at night for an hour long meeting. So, I don't go. But it could be just what you need.

Jim

Hello Liz @liz223

I am so sorry to hear that you get such unusual reactions when you discuss your Bipolar disorder. It reflects a lack of knowledge about the topic of mental illness. I sometimes think that our society is becoming more enlightened and then I hear a story like yours and realize that it hasn't happened, yet.

I applaud you for wanting to start a support group in your church - a year ago I started a support group for folks with chronic illnesses, we call it Living & Thriving, and it has been well attended and helpful to so many. While most of the members of our group are discussing physical illnesses, such as chronic pain, cancer, heart problems, etc., we all admit to the stress/anxiety and oftentimes the depression that goes along with it. We also talk about our amazement with people who don't understand what we are experiencing and want to just not talk about it so much. We meet off site, not at a church, but at a coffee house near the church.

Have you ever been part of NAMI group? They have some good leaflets regarding the different types of mental illness, perhaps you could educate folks by providing them with some good information.Also, the NAMI group in our area will actually go to churches and talk about mental illness and give a presentation and have their leaders speak about their own experiences with finding help. If your church would be open to such a presentation,that might be a good way to introduce the subject to your congregation.

Teresa

Thank you for your reply. I will check into a NAMI group. Have a blessed day. 🙂