Offense?
A post from a friend in response to the warm temperatures and sunshine, "Yes! Thank you for finally showing up, dearest spring! We missed you. Please don’t go all bipolar on us tomorrow. Thanks."
I’m offended. Or insulted. Or angry. Or annoyed. I’m not sure. But it hurts. I always say intentions mean a great deal. If someone does not intend offense, the blow is lessened. And generally speaking that is true. Except for this one thing. This one topic. Every time some one compares the actions or behaviors of a person to ‘being bipolar’ I want to scream and rip heads off. Bipolarism is not just being happy one moment and sad the next moment. (And actually, that would be more like rapid cycling bipolar disorder which is fairly rare.) Its so much more complicated and devastating than anyone can realize, unless you’ve been through it or watched a loved one go through it.
And it annoys me. That people can’t find a more intelligent way to describe the normal ups and downs of life. That the word "bipolar" is becoming a common word which no one really knows exactly what it means. Its all subjective and those who actually suffer are margainalized.
Roar.
I feel like I should say something to her. The post’s author. She’s better than that.
What she said was ignorant. Sometimes we need our ignorance pointed out to us, so that we can learn and do better next time. If she’s a friend, or at least someone who will listen, maybe you should point out that there are better words to use, and why.
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Bipolar is an adjective meaning two different extremes. It wasn’t a reference to bipolar disorder, in my reading of it.
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I agree with this. I can’t tell you how many times i hear people use that phrase to describe someone who has unpredictable moods on a daily basis. um… how about you learn even a little bit about bipolar disorder and realize that’s not what it is?
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There is so much more to mental illness than what people know. It’s also like how people throw around “That’s so retarded” or “That’s so gay.” It just bothers me. And of course they never “mean anything” by it. Never ever ever. But if only we were only offensive when we meant to be, right? I think you should say something to her, but politely. She probably doesn’t even realize she was being offensive. My response to this spring is “It’s a lovely winter we’re having this spring.”
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awwww… that would be upsetting :-/ *hugs* Were you able to say something?
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ryn;; I loved your note about the popscicles & banana injury SO FREAKING HARD. Because seriously, that would’ve been me had I been home alone, totally holding my hand over my head like OK BLEEDING YOU CAN STOP NOW
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