Stupid Bi-Polar Disorder!

Have you ever had a friend or family member who was seriously ill? That needed to be taken care of or had to be hospitalized? If so, think about how stressful that was, worrying about them, wondering how things would turn out, arranging schedules to be there for visiting hours or doctor appointments. And think about how you reached out for support, receiving sympathy and hugs and kind words that helped you cope with the seriousness of the situation and the 'what-if's' going on in your heart. Now picture the same scenario with a twist. Your friend or family member has a MENTAL illness. They don't want people to know...they may even deny they are sick and refuse help. You can't tell anybody what you are going through because you don't want to break trust, and for too long mental illnesses have had a stigma attached to them so folks hide if they have one. Nobody is ashamed if they have cancer or are injured in a car accident, but nobody wants people knowing they were picked up by the police because they weren't acting normally, maybe even hospitalized against their will, or that they were ranting and raving to anybody and everybody about government conspiracies, secret jobs, great rewards or whatever. So there you are, alone. Dealing with your life changing and not knowing how things will end up....a loved one who denies they are even sick..that it's "you not them" that has the problem and you end up doubting yourself or hating the person with the illness. Mental illness needs to be taken out of the shoebox...stop being hidden, stop being a stigma. People with mental illness can't help it anymore than the patient with kidney failure or cancer can help being sick with that, and maybe if it was talked about frankly and openly people might find out folks they know have had a problem or been close to someone who has. And people could reach out for that emotional support that is usually lacking, and life could be just a little bit more bearable.