How do you deal with people's perceptions of you?

Hello everyone. I am new here and was looking for some advice.

I have bipolar II (diagnosed at 18 - now 25). I often find that one of the hardest things to deal with is coming to terms with the fact that my behaviour when I'm ill is not always normal or 100% socially acceptable. I enjoy the times when I am well, but when I'm no longer in crisis, I find myself ruminating on times in the past when I have acted inappropriately and probably made other people uncomfortable in the process. I become overwhelmed with embarrassment and anxiety about it.

Anybody have similar experiences?
Any advice for how to overcome this or at least deal with it better?

I'm not talking so much about interactions with close friends because they tend to be more understanding. I'm more talking about acquaintances, coworkers, bosses, etc., who might have viewed my behaviour as "odd" or "off", etc.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!

I guess, because I've been dealing with this illness for so long, I'm just used to the embarrassment. I know that I am socially awkward and act off the wall at times, talking too much or too loud, or just plain odd. I've made MANY bad first impressions and there are a plethora of people that I've seen once and never seen again because of it. I never knew I was bipolar, I just thought I was odd or weird and that it was just my personality. Some people could accept it and became my friends, others couldn't, so we didn't connect. Because of that I've never had many friends.
I think if you can come to terms with your personality, it might not affect you so bad in hindsight. I have felt great anxiety and embarrassment after the fact, but it's who you are, it's who we are, and there's nothing we can do about it . Just because you have a label doesn't mean it's not your personality. I'm sure you've met others who you felt were odd or weird, and it's their personality- how you do react to them?

I often ignore other people's perceptions of me, especially in public. The ones that are embarassed are my family, especially my wife. My wife or kids are usually my gauge of how i'm acting and reacting in public (I don't go to the stores by myself). At work I have my little fits but most everyone ignores them and i keep to myself mostly, then avoid interaction if possible. I know that social-isolation is not neccessarily a good thing but it is the best way for me to deal with my issues at work. I'm usually good for the first 6 hours of the day but after that...well, things aren't so good.

tips:
1. When going into public, bring someone with you, they can help you realign your behaviors.
2. Isolation is not the answer, but it helps in times of stress.
3. Keep going and don't let anyone stop you from living.

Thank you both for your replies.
Very helpful advice, especially the coming to terms with your personality thing.
I had always thought of it as something you had to be careful not to accept or indulge, but clearly that is not working, nor is it fair. I think I'll definitely have a go at being more accepting of who I am and see how that works.

Thanks again guys

This is something I still struggle with. Like you, the people who are closest to me tend to be more understanding, so I don’t worry as much. It’s the acquaintances and co-workers that I tend to obsess about.

I still feel a lot of shame and embarrassment by what former friends or acquaintances must have thought of me. I’m not sure why. Those people aren’t part of my life and they’re not important to me. I guess I just hate the idea of people having this misconception of who I am. It just rubs me the wrong way.

If they're only an acquaintance then I try to reason that their opinion doesn't really matter, they probably didn't give it a second thought and forgot about it and they hopefully reasoned that they're not aware of the full picture or know me well enough to form a strong valid opinion. If they are the kind of person to hold it against me then I am glad that they are only an acquaintance. It sounds a bit aggressive and defensive of me but it's the only way I cope. Those who know the bigger picture and stick by me still, they are true friends which I am very thankful to have. Even though they may be few, I still have more true friends than some people. I still find it excruciatingly embarrassing but this is how I cope.
I suppose that even those who pull away when I have an episode of illness, maybe it's not because they are judging me or anything like that, they may just feel unsure as how to react. They're not walking away with a terrible impression of me, they may just be walking away thinking that they like me but are not sure how to understand me, or whatever.
At the very worst, I try to just pop it into a casual conversation, let them know I'm aware that I can seem different and it's because I am ill. I had to do that with a coworker who seemed to develop a problem with me when I went through a bad patch. She even told the office manager she thought I had a problem with her and that was one reason I had frequent absences. The office manager told me which freaked me out, I had my own worries (ie crashing into despair and barely being able to function). She made it all very much about herself and how my behavior upset her. Fair enough, she didn't understand, not her fault (I am ranting now, but trying to keep my job and life was more of a concern than petty opinions...). So I talked to her. I just said that I am struggling due to recurrent illness and I hope I haven't been rude. She seemed okay after that but we never became good friends, shame. I f she went to the office manager to complain that I upset her again then she'd seem like a complete cow, picking on the sick, so I suppose it is a bit awkward for others... oh well. I have completely rambled. Sorry I must stress I never did anything terrible to that girl, I just sat at a desk and existed.
Well make of this what you will. I have no idea of my point. I'm just enjoying typing now... Toodle pip.