Six things NOT to say to a person with bipolar disorder: (Sarcasm at it’s best)
6. “You’re not praying hard enough for healing.” OR “You’re not spiritual enough.” Not only should you not say this, you shouldn’t think this. Bipolar disorder is not something a person can control or decide to stop having. Stop it.
5. “Just think positively and everything will be better.” A chemical imbalance is not going to be corrected because I think more positive thoughts. And on top of that, telling someone in a depression to simply think positive thoughts is like telling a kid to be quiet in church. It’s just not likely, and it definitely won’t last long.
4. “Did you forget to take your meds today?” (in a super condescending/snarky tone). It’s not funny, just don’t say it. There’s a difference in asking a loved one how they’re doing regarding their bipolar disorder, but if you have a doubt about the appropriateness of talking about someones medication, err on the side of not. That said, it’s ALWAYS ok to check in on a bipolar friend. Just like you check on ALL your friends who may be going through a rough time.
3. “It’s all in your head” (well yah, it’s a chemical imbalance IN MY BRAIN, but that’s not what you meant, was it?) Bipolar disorder, just like all other mental illnesses, is very real and requires very real medication and very real therapy to treat it. I don’t take it lightly and neither should you. Telling some one with bipolar disorder that they’re basically making it up is blasphemy. Don’t do it.
2. Don’t sarcastically say “I’m SO bipolar” or refer to things such as the weather as being “bipolar” it’s stupid, and down-right disrespectful. By joking and saying these things it’s minimizing the seriousness and often the severity of someone’s struggles. Don’t get me wrong, bipolar people have as good of a sense of humor as the next person but I mean REALLY, we don’t make many cancer or diabetes jokes, do we?
1. Don’t ever tell a bipolar person they can’t do something because of their bipolarity. It only makes them want to do it more and they WILL do it, and they’ll do it better than you.
Kind of joking, but I really mean it,
Mrs Bipolarity
