The Challenge of BiPolar Forums
Until recently I was very active at the BiPolar forum www.theicarusproject.net
I'm not really a forum kind of guy, due mainly to time constraints, and so TIP was my very first forum participation - pure virgin territory. Can't remember how I found the site but I was immediately attracted to it. Here was a site promoting the BiPolar experience, recognising that the extreme passion of our moods are "dangerous gifts" rather than shameful disabilities.
So I bumbled my way into the forum. At first I loved it. Creative, brilliant souls all swarming around rare topics that really blow my mind. But after a while I started seeing that some participants were using the forum as a platform for their crack-me-up wit. Every post became a kind of verbal sparring contest, and it started becomming fkn tedious. The worst part was my observation that most of the smart-arses were merely BiPolar wannabes, having never spent one night in full-blown psychosis and certainly not more than 5 days in-a-row of genuine depression.
Like I said, I'm green at forums, so I don't know whether this is a problem with all forums or was specific to TIP. Admittedly, getting a BiPolar forum to work smoothly is a mammoth challenge. Think about it: the last people depressives want to hear from are manics and versa vice. Indeed there was a lot of BiPolar brian storming as to how to accomodate all the moodswingers. When I was last there some arse suggested that they make 2 "campfires", one for UPs and one for DOWNs. Well, people, BP Guy comes from the land of Apartheid and I can tell ya all that segregation doesn't work. I mean the whole fkn point of BiPolar therapy is to integrate and reconcile your diveregent mindstates - NOT TO FKN POLARISE THEM!
I left TIP on a pretty explosive note. Some jerk had started a thread titled "Words to inpsire hate" so BPG gave them a taste of some real mcCoy. I never went back after that (except to post a happy Christmas), so I'm not even sure how my comment was greeted. Probably with a lot of indignation. I mean, come on guys, moderate hate is OK, but hardcore hate?
I reckon I'll be back at TIP one day, so the response I got will remain a mystery for some time yet. And you know what? I don't give a blue-arsed shit!
By BiPolar Guy
ReplyDeleteI checked out TIP but wasn’t impressed.
Here are more comments since I’ve seriously slacked off, LOL
1/3: Good looking man-wowza! Mrs. M is very lucky. Sorry Miss L is gone for 3 months : (
1/2: At least you got out-I stayed home and played on my PC while hubby was busy with his video game. So much for ringing in the new year…
1/1: I am going to really delve into my photography too. I gave up meditation years ago.
12/31: How horrible for Miss L. I wish I knew what I could say to help both of you but I’m at a loss of words. : ( I think the whole custody issue is just plain crap.
12/30: Resolutions/Aspirations: I didn’t make any but clearly I need to…
Finishing your book. Thanks for brining that up. I need to catch back up on my life story. I’ve still got another 10 years to write. Good luck finding time to work on it while in a creative mood and still fitting in all other activities you enjoy.
Meditation: I find it VERY INTERESTING the number of bipolars who turn to Buddhism. I mean, there are a lot of us. I’ve lost my way spiritually years ago and the only thing I can think to classify myself is Buddhist/Catholic, though I hate to add another label to myself.
My resolutions are to get healthy (mentally as well as physically), get that life story up to date, and look for a job that is going to better suit me (not an 8-5 job).
12/29: Will she be able to move in with you? I saw in a later post that she had to leave but are their plans to have her move in with you when school is out?
12/27:
Here’s my list, somewhat similar…
1. Six months since diagnosed with bipolar
2. Six months on Lamictal vs just plain antidepressants that didn’t do a damn thing
3. First serious manic episode
4.