People have said to me, “Stop being so negative about bipolar disorder!” People feel free to critique me at any moment and make sweeping statements like that at any time. It comes with being read by so many, I suppose. So when someone says I’m writing about bipolar disorder too negatively, it is not the first time and I would imagine it won’t be the last. I, however, feel I am quite realistic about bipolar – not overly negative or positive.

Bipolar Is Negative

Some people find that bipolar is a gift. And while bipolar has increased certain things in my life empathy for others, I consider it the furthest thing from a gift that you can imagine. I consider bipolar disorder to be an absolute curse. Bipolar disorder is negative because it causes me pain pretty much every single day. If you want a gift like that, that’s your business, but I certainly don’t.

And while I understand that’s not everyone’s experience of bipolar, it’s certainly mine and as I’m the one writing, it’s naturally the perspective I would take. And, for the record, I hate the fluffy bunny, rainbows and lollipops version of bipolar that some people claim exists.

Being So Negative About Bipolar Disorder?

I have written piece after piece about bipolar disorder that offers positive coping techniques for everything from hypomania to depression and, in fact, some people call me inspirational. Don’t misunderstand, you certainly don’t have to find me an inspiration, I’m just saying that, to me, what I offer are very useful tips on how to deal with bipolar disorder and that is very positive.

(In case you were wondering, my book ends on a very positive note. I know how hard it is to deal with the realities of a chronic illness and I wanted to end in a way that brought hope to people, as I believe there always is hope.)

Some feel writing too negatively about bipolar is harmful, but negativity when it comes to chronic illness seems reasonable to me.

I’m not going to list for you all my writings that are positive, such as those that talk about why one should fight bipolar disorder and not give into suicide, but I will say they are out there.

When One Is Negative About Bipolar Disorder, It’s Okay

And sometimes I am just plain ol’ negative about bipolar disorder, but I consider this okay. I have mood and thought fluctuations just like everyone else and sometimes I just can’t bring positivity to the table. And this just makes me human. If you think about yourself, I highly doubt you can be positive every day, all day.

All I’m saying is this: I’m human. You’re human. We change every day. And this brain disorder changes with the weather, too. That means that I’m going to take various positions but I’m always going to try to offer hope, overall, and I’m sorry if that doesn’t come through to everyone.

And if you’re negative about bipolar disorder, it’s okay. I don’t blame you. This thing sucks. And if you want to say it, I say don’t let others make you feel bad about it. It’s self-expression. It needs to be what you really feel.