What the BipolarHappens.com Blog is… and What the BipolarHappens.com Blog isn’t…

Why has the internet become a place where we think it’s ok to write inflammatory comments as though there is not another human being on the other side who will read them, take them in and have to answer them?

It’s a two way interaction.  I have read every comment on this blog for 10 years- and most have been insightful and thoughtful. Then there are those that are accusatory and inflammatory. I used to just post them and let readers decide to listen or not, but something in me has changed. I realize that we need to take more responsibility for what we write on the web and for making sure we stop others who attack people for their mental health opinions.

This is a mental health site that focuses on bipolar disorder and depression, though it also talks about mental health disorders in general in many posts. It’s for anyone affected by bipolar disorder including those with the illness and those who care about someone with bipolar disorder including health care professionals.

I will post any and all comments that state opinions different from my own- that is the spice of life!

But if there is a comment that gets accusatory or too personal- I will address this when I post the comment. You can see I have done so in the last few minutes under my most recent post comments.

I live with this illness 24 hours a day- yes- I wake up with it in the middle of the night just like many of us do. I am affected by what people say and can usually brush it off- as I have done since starting BipolarHappens.com in 2002. But I will not- and nor should you tolerate attacks on myself or my readers.  (Or on anything you post on the site.) It’s time for us to take back control of our websites and encourage constructive criticism and lively discussion.  This is a site for those who want to learn more about bipolar disorder, read more about my life and the lives of others affected by the illness and discover what treatments and management plans are available in my books.  I also support the work of others as you can see in the wonderful guest blog section.

But from this moment forward,  he Bipolar Happens.com blog will be devoted to the positive, lively and educational promotion of information on this illness- that the reader can then choose to use or pass by. 

I live with bipolar every day- maybe you do as well. We need a place to go for hope, healing and fun stories amidst all the turmoil this illness can bring.

I hope you enjoy the website and always feel free to leave your opinion in the spirit of change, growth and understanding!

Cheers!

Julie

Related posts:
bipolarhappens.com blog reader comments
BipolarHappens.com Blog: A Welcome to New Blog Visitors
BipolarHappens.com Blog Notes