How do you find having Bipolar?
@redhailstone
Gives this a bump for you for others with related experience to chime in!
I'm looking for the same thing. I was diagnosed a little over a year ago and very few people know I'm bipolar. My friends who know are generally supportive, within their limited scope of understanding. It's hard to explain to them why I'm having a depressive episode if I have missed any doses of medicine.
The non-direct messaging that I'm getting from my closest friend is that she isn't going to be there for me when I'm in a state that she doesn't want to deal with. That is what led me here this afternoon. I'm looking for other people like me to talk with. By reading the threads, I'm thinking that this might be the right place. 😊
I'm here for you
I feel you.
What helps me sometimes is to remember the time before the diagnosis and the severe episodes.
Since then, l've also been able to experience so many wonderful moments. It grounds me a little when I'm not enough for myself again.
The fact that people on the outside can't see inside our heads and minds can also be very demotivating.
That's why I want to share more with people with this "disorder" (or "talent").
In my country ( Germany ) I still feel very stigmatized and problematic. Whereas in Switzerland or the USA, I have the feeling that people also recognize the opportunities of a bipolar life.
I've lived with bipolar disorder for 23 years and managed it well most of the time. But right now, I'm in a depression season that's going into its 3rd week. Before 2017, my mood swings were in a predictable pattern and rhythm: 2 weeks up and 4 weeks down. During the up, I would sleep less, have more energy and ideas, and life was good. During the down mood swings, it'd feel like mild depression. I've been good about staying on meds, seeing a therapist, and doing healthy habits.
And once every 3-5 years or so, I hit a stressful incident and then it takes me 6-9 months of intensive recovery. One of the hardest crisis was in 2017.
I've had long stretches for months when I can manage well and don't have to struggle with mood swings. The struggles is hardest when it takes an enormous effort to think, to be productive, or to function.
Happy to respond to any questions and comments, as I have time & energy.
@djchuang I am living with a bipolar husband how can I help him he stopped talking to me since 2 days ago
mayb it helps to write him a short letter or a postcard ..or a note.
„ hey darling…i feel that you are struggeling and i know that you know that i am always there for you.
i can imagine that it drags you down when i repeat it again and again. But : i am here . I love you. The whole man . And your humor. I am not ashamed by anything. so you don‘t have to be ashamed of really nothing either. So if you want me to make a step to your direction… send me a twinkle, or a sweet clap, or play somehow, somewhere a song that you like. ;-)
Your Partner in crime…your beloved wife and friend…“Name“
I’d be happy to discuss, too. I was diagnosed a little over 10 years ago. I cycle very slowly…mania and psychosis for weeks or months, and equally long depressions. Then there have been many times (months, and even years) of priceless stability. But my last manic episode crushed my marriage and my husband and I separated. That was almost two years ago, though it feels like yesterday. I’ve been stable for months now, but I struggle with regret and shame over things I did/said in my last episode.
What would you like to talk about?
I have had this diagnosis for over 30 years and I have learned a lot about my illness. It’s a part of me but it is not all of me!!
Me 2 that's true
It's difficult at times but with medications it's manageable.
I obviously have bipolar as well. I was diagnosed when I was 18 and I’m now 23. It’s been extremely hard for me. At the moment I’m pretty stable with medication that works mostly for me but I’m pretty depressed and lonely. I feel like bipolar ruined my end of school and has made having friends difficult. I had two really bad psychotic manic episodes two years ago and the year before that. Anyway, I mainly feel really angry and frustrated because my manic episodes have caused me to become very risk averse and doing normal tasks in my life is really hard and I feel envious of my sisters who don’t have bipolar
I have friends with other disorders (autism, PBD, adhd, etc) so we help each other out.
I'm a rapid cycling bipolar 1 type person. Mania for a few (2-4) days, full blown flight of ideas, zero impulse control, substance abuse, then I crash and go into depression. Sometimes I swing right back into the mania without any normalcy break in between mood shifts.
I'm on Vraylar, Zoloft and 2 benzos (highly regulated and never abused)
