I need some advise

[BabeGirl]

Today in a chat room this guy asked me if I was really bipolar. Stupid me said yes instead of ignoring him but I don't have a problem talking to ppl about it but this guy started saying I was gonna snap out. I was gonna do this and I was gonna do that. I was calm... kinda lost but I tried to explain to him what bipolar disorder is and this chick came in, in the middle and started calling me stupid and stuff... that's when I got upset b/c she was telling me that my chemical imbalance couldn't make me the way I was I was just stupid. I asked her if she had an MD or if she had any degree and she said no so I told her to shut up. SHe didn't but...by then I was soo upset I was crying b/c I don't judge ppl and they judgen me and don't even know me. I put a hyper link in the room to one of my main Bipolar Information Web Sites. I don't know if I handled it right or what... what do ya'll think? And what do you think I should do next time?... keeping in mind I'm still learning to think first even when panic cause I'm upset. Thank you for any input you have!

Jess

[Lilya]

BabeGirl,

Please keep in mind that most people´s negative comments are often reflections of their own insecurites and ignorance. What do these comments in the chat room say about you, and what do they really say about the other persons?

I´m not familiar with the chat room here, so I cannot really comment on the hyper-link. As for handling your next chat and if these comments come up again, I would personally not continue the discussion. Don´t give judgemental people ammonition to hurt you. Let them know with dignity how their comments are affecting you and then stop a futile conversation. I would use my energy to build a safety net around me with people who understand you and respect you and above all, are not destructive.

Use adversity

[HardHead]

Heya
People are quick to point out someone elses character defects, Sometimes I'll remind them that the finger they point at me has three pointing at themselves. Provideing they arn't missing any. lol
Good luck

Jess,

There is a little exit button in the chat room. If you don't like what someone is saying to you just say "Whatever" and click exit and you are out of there. You don't owe anyone an explanation and don't need to stay and defend yourself.

Hugs,
MG

[Solacia13]

Babegirl,
It sounds to me like you're doin' well! Just remember: Noone has the power to control your moods but you-even when you're bipolar. you make the choice. Do you honestly care what a few ignorant souls think? I mean, c'mon! They're not even really thinking, just reacting to social conditioning, for goodness sake! People who are educated about our disorder know that you can't "just snap out of it" and that you're not "just stupid". Do not let ignorance control your mood, darlin'. YOU control it. We can make the decision to let what others say roll off our backs. Sometimes it hurts a little, but then I remember that it is the other persons loss: not mine. I can try to educate people about this illness, but I can't make the choice to accept the information for them. They have to open their minds. If they don't, I move on, feeling sorry for them; not myself. I know that I did the best I could. Sometimes people just surrender to the fear of the unknown. We can't. We have to know about this illness, and I believe that we have to tell others, so that they can learn to accept it for themselves. After all, almost everyone is or knows someone who is bipolar, but very few bother to really study it; learn to separate the sickness from the person. Thank goodness some people do, otherwise we'd all be dead. Heaven knows WE have enough guilt complexes on our own, without others trying to make us feel guilty for things we can't control.
Hang in there, girl, and don't you listen to the ignorant masses! You know the truth. So do I. And our numbers are growing. If you do need to vent or cry on a shoulder, I'm here for you......we all need it sometimes, sweetie.
Love and Light,
Robyn Lynn

[innamorata]

One thing you need to remember...here, on the Internet, people think they are completely anonymous. They don't realize that, behind the usernames and the words, there are real people.

I don't frequent chat rooms...in fact, I hate them, for many reasons...one of which is the fact that you have no idea if the 25-year-old muscled stockbroker player is really a 43-year-old bald pedophile living in his mother's basement. But the point is...many people in most chat rooms are there for excitement, in whatever form it might take.

If they can get their excitement for the night by riling you up with nasty comments, insults, and name-calling, then they're going to do it. It is a sad thing, but a fact of life here on the Weird Wide Web. I would guess that is all they were doing...seeing how hard they could "yank your chain" before you "barked". Then they got a big laugh out of it and moved on to the next person...not realizing how much they had hurt you. Don't worry about what some faceless people who were only out to cause trouble think of you...it isn't worth it, and I know they aren't crying over it.

My advice...STAY OUT OF CHAT ROOMS! They are not good for you or your mental health. I would say 95% of the people in 95% of the chat rooms are fakes and phonies. They're just there to see how many people they can make po'ed in one night, how many fights they can start, how horny they can get, or how many phone numbers/email addresses they can acquire. Stick to places like this where you can get positive feedback and understanding (of course, knowing to always be careful anywhere on the 'net).

Good luck....