12-06-2009, 12:11 AM
As someone who has bipolar disorder, I have found that there is a negative stigma against people like myself who have the illness. It's certainly not everyone, but many people out there do not even really understand what bipolar disorder is, so it is easy for them to believe false, negative stereotypes out there about the illness. Once, when a guy I was talking to found out that I have bipolar disorder, he asked me if that meant I ever, and I quote, "went crazy and ran out of rooms screaming sometimes." He was serious. I have also had medical "professionals" (I use that word loosely) make rude comments regarding my mental health disorder. Of course for every ignorant, rude person I have met, I have also met at least 10 intelligent, tolerant people who do not stigmatize me for my illness. But there are always rotten eggs out there.
I do not know why you would put it anywhere on a job application that you have bipolar disorder. Employers are not allowed to ask you about your medical records, so unless you have a job that specifically requires you to disclose your mental health status (such as certain jobs in the mental health field, medicine, the military, etc.) you should never have to disclose that on an application or during an interview. I'm sure it would be harder to get a job if you told your potential employer that you have bipolar disorder, because there is always some degree of discrimination even when it's outlawed, but there is no reason those people should ever know about your illness to begin with.
I would marry someone with bipolar disorder. It would be unbelievably hypocritical of me to say I wouldn't, considering I have the disorder myself. If I love someone and they happen to have bipolar disorder, it doesn't matter as long as they are actively taking steps to treat and control their illness. If they will not take care of themselves, though, then they cannot possibly take care of me and I cannot begin to help them if they won't help themselves. I have had to end a relationship before because the person had untreated bipolar disorder, and I could not be with him anymore if he was not going to take care of himself.
Hope that answers your questions!
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