Reaching Out

[JoeyLane]

I'm reaching out because I just started watching Diagnosis Bipolar on HBO. I was struck by the similarities between childhood bipolar and adult bipolar. I should start by saying that I myself have Bipolar, I've been in a relationship with someone with bipolar and my younger brother was also just diagnosed. So, after watching the first episode and seeing the desperation of the parents to understand and help their children, I felt a strong need to reach out somehow. To tell them that it doesn't have to be a death sentence. To make what I've lived through matter. To take the pain I've fought through, and have watched my own family and friends go through, help guide others. Only when we reach out can our pain be useful. Maybe I've come to the wrong place, but maybe not. I have no clinical background in this, just life experience. But I'm here. If you have questions I'll answer them as honestly as possible. I can only begin to imagine how difficult it is to understand this disorder from the outside. Even though I've had a relationship with someone who has bipolar and now have a sibling recently diagnosed, I'm still coming from the place where I have it too. So, while many of my experiences loving others who have it may be similar to yours, I'll never truly know the weight of loving someone without any frame of reference as to what it really feels like. Even if you choose to disregard this post, or tell me I shouldn't be here, I just want you to know that you all are heroes. If you're here it means you care, that you want to find the support you need and deserve so you can either be at your best to help the people in your life currently, or to understand the people who aren't in your life anymore. Bipolar is a disorder that is impossible to wrap your head around. I just want to use the information I've gathered by living it and living with others with it, to help you begin to try.

[Turkish]

Hi JL, and welcome 

Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder are two different things. 

However, there can be similar behaviors, a person can have both BP and BPD (co-morbid), BPD can be misdiagnosed as BP, and lastly the communication tools here on our BPD support board can help reduce conflict with others.  That's whether they have BP, BPD, or not.

This might help:  COMPARISON: BiPolar Disorder vs BPD

A few of our members have BPD, but are here for support in dealing with loved ones who have BPD. Some of us have BPD traits (I may have a few), but not at a clinical level.  A lot of us deal with Depression or Anxiety of PTSD, and some might be Bipolar.

That focus of the board: the discussions and learning materials, are about BPD, however.

Take a look at the link.  If you think you might fit here and the discussions, materials and lessons might be of help,  we'd love to hear more on how best we can support you!

Turkish