Should I put it on my myspace profile that I have bipolar?

Question

I'm a 16 year old guy, and I've been absent from school for almost 2 years, after I had a breakdown followed by episodes. I've been isolated and haven't really seen my friends much, and I'm trying to get out and see them. I'm also thinking about telling them that I have bipolar disorder on my myspace "about me" section, but I'm worried that it might scare them off. There's still a lot of prejudice and stigma against the mentally ill today, and I'm not sure about it.

They'll be asking what's happened to me - what should I say? Should I tell them the truth or what?

Answer 1

Why "label" yourself!  You are a human being, not a life support system for a disease.

Keep such matters to yourself.  Very few individuals your age are able to comprehend the complexities of such matters.  It's something you have to live through to understand, so don't let them form an opinion about you based on ignorance.

Be yourself, and let others judge you accordingly.  You are not who you were in the past.  Let it go and don't look back.

Answer 2

I've been recently diagnosed as bipolar also and I chose to put in on MySpace. I want my friends to know what's going with me and why I sometimes am not accessible. It's your choice but, if they are your friends, they'll want to learn about the disorder and help you.

Answer 3

Do what is best for you,

I also have Bipolar and i don't publish it on any of my social networking sites (except here when i answer questions in the mental health section, but that doesn't really count)

I feel that my disorder is personal to me and other people i am in contact with regularly e.g family, friends etc. and they are important to me so they already know so i feel i don't need to tell people i don't know unless my experience will benefit them.

If your friends ask, tell them the truth in person. You may just educate them.

Answer 4

You are under no obligation to post something as personal as that on MySpace or ever tell people unless you know them well and trust them.

Best to keep it to yourself.

Answer 5

Just say "I'm doin' fine.  Text me"!

Answer 6

Why would you?  If you get to talking to someone and you feel that you want to tell them then that is one thing.  I don't see any point in putting your mental status in your about me section.  But if you want that is all you.

Answer 7

I have been Bipolar for over 10 years.  I would be very careful about announcing your mental illness to people.  There is ALOT of stigma and prejudice about Bipolar.  While you are only 16 now, you never want employers to know things like that and advertising it opens up the doorway for all kinds of problems.

It is not about being ashamed or not, it is about being realistic.  And the reality is that many people DO NOT understand Bipolar and therefore stigmatize people.