Posted by Andy123 on July 29, 2001, at 15:07:19
hi all,
I'm going to say some somewhat obnoxious things now. I've read a few things on this board lately that makes me believe that some of the folks here have less control over themselves than they should. A very good friend of mine has bipolar disorder and she often acts out, doing outrageous things like using illegal drugs, getting drunk and behaving in anti-social manners in public places. I wish that I had turned my back on her a few days after i met her and figured out that she was often out of control. It has been contrary to my ethos to be overly discriminatory towards folks who are for whatever reason socially outcasted. This is easy when the person has an obvious handicap, but less easy when the person's handicap is a tendency towards mania.
I know that she isn't constitutionally able to moderate her behavior. But its taken its toll on me (for four years), and I am swearing to myself that I will be more of a judgemental jerk in the future, for my own well being. Just because I have experienced major depressive episodes doesn't mean that I have to accept anyone just because I can tell they have a mental illness. Its just too costly to my own welfare.
Andy
poster:Andy123
thread:8285
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010726/msgs/8285.html