I just want to share my story of stigma. I am a nurse so I am around medical professionals constantly. Until recently, I hid my diagnosis of Bipolar 1. Of course I shared my ADHD and OCD diagnosis as it is accepted more than some of the others. Finally, after hearing people constantly saying things like you can’t trust bipolar people, they are crazy, they are unpredictable and act on impulse… blah blah… I came out of silence and proudly admitted that I am bipolar. Yes, me… a nurse just like you. I shared with a nurse that upon me being hired at the hospital, I disclosed my diagnosis (because some of my medications showed up in the drug screen which I told them before hand so they were fine). This fellow nurse literally said “and they hired you”? She couldn’t believe that me, a nurse just as she, could or should have the right to work. It made me really mad but at the same time, I was happy that I said it. I was glad that she, a nurse like me, was on the SAME level as bipolar…. or John. I am John and happen to have bipolar. I think I sent a message to someone in a field of people that are supposed to be understanding of all ailments. It is so important for us to have a voice and break the silence. I was scared… very scared because of what I do for a living. It feels good. One person at a time. One voice. Enough voices will bring about change and acceptance.