Being a sufferer for many years, it's only recently that I have joined a community of like minded people.

Although there will always be prejudices and misunderstandings of mental health conditions, I feel I have spent too much time worrying about that particular group of people instead of celebrating the people in my life that do understand.

I have a very good friend who takes a very lighthearted and irreverent approach to my condition that could be misconstrued as him not understanding or sympathising, when in fact, it has the opposite effect on me and he is one of the people I can actually tell how I'm truly feeling.

So humour through really tough times is important to me and can be empowering! The rubbish joke that goes "When I found out I had Bipolar, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry" is funny (slightly), but also reminds me that a sense of humour is really important and helps me feel more in control and is something you can share with your friends and family.

Damian

A Moodscope member.