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Jess’s Story

“I won’t apologize for wanting to do it on my own or having mood swings.”

What kind of stigma did you experience/observe?

People not understanding that I can’t help the way I am and the way my brain works. Also, what you say matters.

Stigma story

I am Bipolar with BPD and OCD. Before this was figured out, I would go into deep lows. I would cut myself. When I finally told my Mom about it, she told me I was trying to get myself out of trouble and was making it up. Now I am older and have been off medication for a while, but I have to deal with people telling me I HAVE TO go back on medication to be “normal”. But what I really needed was to figure out how my brain works and how to deal with and accept it. Plus I have had problems with meds not working after about a year because of my high drug tolerance.

I won’t apologize for wanting to do it on my own or having mood swings. Yes I have had really bad days but I know what to do if I can’t deal with it anymore—go back to the doctor. But that should be up to me.

What could someone have said/done to make it ok?

A big hug can do wonders for someone. And making people feel bad for how they are is unfair.

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