Living with Bipolar Disorder and the Stigma of Mental Illness - Life with Bipolar Disorder

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

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Natalie Allie82 - if you are hearing voices, that is significant and can be a dangerous signal of psychosis and I hope you'll talk to your doctor about that right away. For everyone here, go here if you are looking for detailed bipolar information.

Linds: How do you cope with people around you that don't suffer from the illness. I find it hard to connect with people. I'm losing friends because of this and its only making me worse. How do you deal with people like that?

Paul Jones: Look....you cannot make people understand what you have. They will either decide to realize it is real or not.

How do I deal with people who do not think it is real? Do you really want to know? I get rid of them from my life. Poisonous people have no place in my life. I have a hard enough time with my own life. I do not have time to try and educate the un-educable. Does that make sense? We try too darn hard to make others understand.. Try and get yourself better, then work on the other. You are a wonderful person I am sure. Treat yourself like one.

Linds: Definitely does make sense. Thanks Paul. You are legend, and I love Robin Williams too.

Paul Jones: Thanks much. I try.....:-)

One more thing Linds. Please stop letting other people bring you down.. Take those people out of your life plan for right now. You deserve a good life. Go and get it. Take care of your brain. It needs. you to take care of it. Feed it right, treat it good.

Natalie Paul, do you see a therapist of some sort? If so, do you find that helpful and in what way?

Paul Jones: Honestly, my speaking has become my therapy. It works out well because I like to talk and I do not have to share the stage. I know that groups are good for people. They just do not fit in with my life. I am on the road a ton, I speak to thousands of people a year. I call those my sessions. You have to share and I get a chance to share everyday.

Natalie What other things do you do to stay healthy -- when it comes to bipolar?

Paul Jones: I am working out, drinking tons of fresh water, eating right and most importantly, I stopped smoking.

Natalie When you compare yourself before the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and now 6 years later, how do you feel about yourself?

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Paul Jones: I am AWESOME...I mean that. I feel so much better about myself, my life and what I am doing. I love to drive my car and in this case, my brain is my car. I am blessed to have this illness, I am blessed to have all the mistakes I have in my past. I am blessed to have gone through all the hard times I have. It is because of my past that today is so grand. Without the past and learning from it I would not be who and or what I am. My children would not be who they are. My wife and I would not be getting ready to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I am blessed. I would not change one thing, not one. Because changing anyone thing may alter the way today is and I am golden with today. It is not easy, and it is not always great but that is called life, and I for one, am enjoying the ride.

Linds: Absolute legend.

peacefuldolphin: That is great BPBoy.

teet: You are awesome.

kitcatz says: Thank you.

Gene7768 says: Thank you so much.

chrisuk says: Thank you Paul.

Paul Jones: Thanks.

Natalie Our time is up tonight. Thank you, Paul, for being our guest, for sharing your personal experiences with bipolar disorder and for answering audience questions. We appreciate you being here.

Paul Jones: Thanks for asking me and be sure to stop by www.BipolarBoy.com from time to time. It is not as fancy as this site but I call it home.

Natalie: I encourage everyone to sign up for our mailing list. It's free and we'll notify you of other events happening on the HealthyPlace.com website. I also invite you to sign up for the first and only social network for people with mental health conditions as well as their family members and friends.

Thank you everybody for coming. I hope you found the chat interesting and helpful.

Good night everyone.

Articles by Paul Jones

Disclaimer: Please note that HealthyPlace.com is NOT recommending or endorsing any of the suggestions of our guest. In fact, we strongly encourage you to talk over any therapies, remedies or suggestions with your doctor and/or therapist BEFORE you implement them or make any changes in your treatment or lifestyle.

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