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jitterbugz7
1,579 M Little Steps 6
PathStep 31 Compassion hearts453 Forum posts44 Forum upvotes245 Current upvotes245 Age GroupAdult Last activeSeptember, 2024 Member sinceApril 26, 2023
Bio

I am a 52 year old woman living in south Illinois with my two adult disabled sons and a fluffy calico cat. I have been diagnosed with bipolar and binge eating disorder, as well as anxiety. I also have some critical health issues.  I enjoy drawing and painting, jigsaw puzzles, bird watching, listening to lo-fi music, and playing a computer game (a virtual world called second life). My family is everything to me. I am very close to all of them. They are the reason I keep struggling to improve my mental and physical health. 


Recent forum posts
Second guessing a surgery decision
50 & Over Community / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 January 21st
...See more Took my 35yo son to the doctor for a bad sore on his toe thats gone bone deep. He's paralyzed and his circulation is bad. the surgeon gave two options, one is some surgery to try to save the toe, the other was just amputate the toe. Since hes in a wheelchair anyway and dont use his feet, and since a similar sore almost killed him before from turning into sepsis, my son said take it off. But I'm his medical power of attorney and had to approve the surgery. I said ok. but now I'm up at night worrying if it was the right decision. Wish the surgeon wouldn't give us a choice. Just do what he thinks professionally is best. Just getting that off my chest. Caregiving is hard. Getting older is hard too. I'm barely able to do what I used to. Is there a support group for caregivers on here?
No Internet Woes
General Support / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 June 25th, 2023
...See more I know this will sound so small but my internet has been out for about 4 days now... and the internet company is not sending a repairman until june 30. I am going stir crazy. I hadnt realized just how much I "self soothe" listening to calming music, watching guided meditation videos, reaching out to my friends... using the internet. I'm going stir crazy now that I suddenly have none of these tools available to me. Im using my phone data now but only have 2.5g so greatly limiting my use. I am looking desperately for "new tools" to rely on. I found a classical station on the radio that is somewhat soothing. My gaming friends accused me of lying about being without internet (why would I lie about something so dumb?) So now I feel like I lost some friends over something pretty stupid and its stressed me more. And even 7 cups has become a life line to me. I need my online "tools" . I need my NAMI zoom support group! I am thinking about buying a different phone/ plan with more data or buying a hotspot. But I am out of work, living off of very limited funds, and it would not be a wise use of my savings. We are paying 70/mo for our internet that isnt working already. What we need to do is make them fix it. but June 30??? Any advice? I am disabled. I used to go OUT more for support (to church etc) but I am having a great deal of trouble walking and am pretty much stuck at home now until I find some way to get a mobility scooter or something similar.
Has anyone here tried Brain Working Recursive Therapy?
Bipolar, Schizophrenia & Psychosis Support / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 July 18th, 2023
...See more I have bipolar 1 and severe anxiety. I have tried CBT and DBT and found DBT more helpful. However I recently heard someone recommend Brain Working Recursive Therapy on Reddit. Has anyone else tried this particular kind of therapy? Would it be helpful for someone with bipolar 1? If I sign up for therapy here at 7 cups with the licensed therapists do any of them do this kind of therapy? Just curious. ty.
Having anxiety right now
Anxiety Support / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 May 17th, 2023
...See more So much is triggering my anxiety. I had to renew my lease for public housing and they are reviewing my financials, my son''s disability is being reviewed and I had to fill out a functionality report for him with no training or help and I'm terrified I did it wrong and will cost him his disability that pays the rent, I have a big big medical appointment with a blood specialist friday that is testing me for leukemia, and my therapist has been out on maternity leave so I've been basically without support for a while. She comes back thursday thank goodness, but I've tried to do everything she taught me. Count. breathe. mindfulness . grounding. idk its so bad right now its like nothing helps. Anxiety is truly miserable. I'm just overwhelmed. I'm at the mercy of government programs and beurocrats in offices decide the outcome of my life based on their paperwork and requirements. People like me slip through the cracks every day and become homeless over red tape or a missing document or a problem with paperwork. So I feel powerless and at their mercy and truly intimidated by the office staff who grumpily decide how much my rent should be, if I can even keep living here, or if I will keep getting medicaid for my medication, or if my son will still recieve disability. My life is literally in the hands of these government workers that mail paperwork to my house that says its due yesterday. I have a social worker but the paperwork always arrives late, with just a couple days to return it and no time to make an appointment with the social worker to help! So I do the best I can and mess everything up doing it wrong. I''m just venting. I feel like I need a business and a law degree to navigate these programs. In fact if they cut my son off his disability, I am going to have to hire a lawyer to help.
It's my birthday today!
50 & Over Community / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 July 3rd, 2023
...See more Had some pretty bas anxiety earlier but so far its been a good day. Made a frozen pizza. Made some coffee. I am 52 today!
Noni wants me to write a post!
General Support / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 May 4th, 2023
...See more I'm about to turn 52 on may 9. I have become too disabled to work but my disability case is in limbo, so I'm living off a life insurance policy I had for myself that I cashed out. I play a game called second life. My favorite hobby is birdwatching, and sketching and painting the birds I see when I get home. Since I can't walk more than a few minutes at a time anymore I have been birdwatching from my car. I am bipolar, but on a cocktail of meds that seem to have stopped my manic episodes. However, I have no motivation anymore. Not sure if its from being over medicated, or if its a bipolar low. Only God knows. I live with my two adult sons and their fluffy cat.
A few questions
Newbie Hub / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 April 28th, 2023
...See more Is what we say to listeners completely confidential? Is there a way to request only female listeners? (I am just not as comfortable opening up about my particular struggles with a man). Can listeners suggest any coping skills therapeutic tools support groups etc or are they just active listeners?
51 F Illinois new here
50 & Over Community / by jitterbugz7
Last post
 April 30th, 2023
...See more I am 51 years old and live in south Illinois. I am staying with my adult sons and their fluffy adorable cat. I have been diagnosed with bipolar and binge eating disorder. I enjoy birdwatching, lo-fi music, painting and reading. I have numorous physical health problems including diabetes. Looking for all the resources I can, for support and motivation to improve my physical and mental health.
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