I wanted to respond in person about my post on Friday (click here to catch up).
I say um a lot and my nose looks crooked.
So, there’s that.
I wanted to respond in person about my post on Friday (click here to catch up).
I say um a lot and my nose looks crooked.
So, there’s that.
I love that you are open about your illness. I am pretty open about mine, but only to people I work with and close friends. I don’t like to tell those I work with, but its inevitable. They need to know why I’m freaking the fuck out just because someone gave me a dirty look or asked for extra relish on their 4 hot dogs. I have bipolar disorder, and my “manic” stage usually consits of fits of rage. Stress, like a high volume of customers at work, will send me into a manic stage and I immediately lose my cool and my temper. I have to explain to every co-worker why I walk in the back screaming that I hope that worthless piece of shit chokes on the extra relish so I never have to see their disgusting ass again. My coworkers think its hilarious that I get upset like that…but its very hard to constantly be so frustrated and pissed at customers that I’m ready to cry. Even if you don’t understand exactly how MY illness works, I’m glad you understand even perfectly normal people are mentally ill. Love this response, the post from Friday, and especially you. xoxox
I am right there with you. I was diagnosed as bi-polar a few years ago when even the mania was no longer fun for me. I would go to the doctor for antidepressants when I knew my “down” time was coming, then drop them so I could enjoy my manic phase. The highs were really high and lows were really low.
Now? I love my meds! They have given me a more “normal” life, and I am so thankful for them. I am neither suicidally low and unable to function nor spending my life savings because I feel so great.
For years I was terrified of being labelled “crazy”. If you say manic-depressive, people are frightened of you. Bi-polar is A much more widely accepted term, though they mean the same thing.
Today I am a better mom to my kids as a result. My illness never completely goes away, but it is more manageable now and so is my life.
Britt- I appreciate you coming out to your fans and online friends in your blog. I enjoyed reading your post on Friday. I am truly sorry that there are people in the world who would be so unsupportive of something they may not understand but is all too real to those of us who live it. Thankfully, those people are not as prevalent as the ones who embrace us, flaws, mental illness, and all.
Standing applause!
I deal with depression myself as well as a host of other things. My SO has severe social anxiety, OCD, bi-polar, ADHD among other issues. After 2 yrs of stress watching my honey go though issues, and me researching things to help I decided that I needed to get my degree and help more then just him. I don’t think there is a normal. Normal is a state of mind only (just like a dress size is just a number!)
Your ‘normal’ is dealing with your issues, through humor, a supportive husband/family and teaching others to be happy with them selves. I follow your blog, almost obsessively, and again THANK YOU for being you!
What a brave, beautiful woman you are. Thank you for shining a light on a topic that needs it.
I have a family history of depression and bi-polar disorder. Some of my extended family members choose to get professional help and medicate. Some choose to handle their mental illness via church or booze or drugs. While we don’t suffer from the same type of mental illnesses that some of our relatives do, one of my sisters and I do embrace our own version of crazy. We each have our own issues to deal with on a daily basis. I do suffer from severe depression from time to time where I just don’t want to get out of bed. I don’t let it get to that point anymore. I was put on medication for a brief time and don’t want to go there again. I have five kids who need me more than I need meds. I applaud your standing up and talking about your own mental illness. It’s NOT something that people should fear. It is something that has been misunderstood and misrepresented for far too long. So, anyway: Here’s a big, fat ‘Go ahead on wit’ yer bad no pants-wearin’ self.’ I love you.
good on you
Britany, I think you’re really an exceptional woman to put it out there. I’m sure that many women need your voice to feel comfortable sharing their own.
But I also just wanted to gently point out (please don’t throw shit at me! ha ha) that some people don’t talk about mental illness because they are very private people. Not that they think anything is wrong with mental illness, but their nature is just not to talk about it. They might also not talk about sex they have with their husband or how often they fart or any other personal things they do. They just might want to keep some cards close to the vest. It might make them feel more comfortable knowing that their family (and not the internet at large) are the only ones they’ve given permission to see them at their most vulnerable.
And when I say “they” I totally mean “me”. Hypothetically, of course.
I’m glad you write about it because it’s a good discussion to be had.