new online support group for high functioners

I have put together a brand new online support group for high functioning people with mental illnesses.

http://highfunctioning.org

While I have nothing against people who have mental disorders and who are having a difficult time functioning well, I think those people are best served by others in their same boat. As we all know, mental illnesses (including bipolar) are not one size fits all experiences. Likewise, IMO, high functioners are best served by other high functioners.

Jim G

So what do you consider high functioners? I read a post in another forum where the writer was offended by being referred to as bipolar. This seems to be even more divisive.

I know someone who claimed to be high functioning and bipolar but to a 'normal'(whatever the heck that means) they were anything but.

I don't have any intention of creativing divisiveness. I spent quite a bit of time in bipolar forums and I didn't relate to most of the members. My advice didn't make sense to them, and their advice didn't make sense to me.

Yes I suppose when we are manic we all probably think we are high functioning.:) But I am only trying to fill a niche for people who can work 8 hours and then some a day, productively and in goog jobs,("job" could mean sitting on the beach if you are an artist I realize.) A high functioner would basically feel as if they were not disabled in the least bit. But on the contrary, that they might even be more productive (or creative) because of their disorder.

I hope that clarifies. I would love to land a Richard Brandon (CEO of Virgin,) but I realize more practically I'd be recruiting more neighbor next door folks, but who are thriving despite their disorder, at least in the working world. Their marriage might be in a shambles, but if they are productive in the work place they are a good fit for the high functioning label IMO.

That is the beauty of BPs when they are manic, they are a site to behold but can the disease ever be completely controlled? I'm curious as I am considered 'normal'(yeah right!!). But have ad my curiospty peeked by a former relationship with a BP person. Hey maybe my obsession with this says I AM bipolar. What the heck is normal anyway?

I am not sure if I just followed the previous posts correctly; however, it sounded like what people were saying was that when they were/are depressed is when they are not high-functioning or not functioning at all. But, when they are manic....then they feel that they are able to give their best. Is that what people are saying? What about the VERY manic stage....that's a place where I doubt that any of us funtion well. Question: Do most of you others feel "different" from the general population. Just wondering; I'm new here. Thank you for any input regarding these thoughts. Take Care All.