Isn't it hard?
Don't you think it's so difficult when you don't even know what's happening to you? Like you think you're depressed, but that period ends eventually, then you think you're happy, but when you're at the top of the world everything crashes down...
@Popsicle99
Hi Popsicle. I have similar experience. Things were changing rapidly and I was unsure what was wrong with me. This is why learning about ourselves and seeking support is important.
What helps a lot is knowing I am not alone in this, finding people who can relate to me is pretty comforting. Thank you for answering.
I hope we can both learn to cope with this shifts.
@Popsicle99
Popsicle if you are interested you can take a look at some of the 7 cups training courses. They are like self-guides that you can read at your own pace. I think this one might be relevant: Help Managing Emotions | 7 Cups Help Guides
@Popsicle99
I get this, it's something that people with manic depression or BPD can sometimes go through where you have periods of sadness mixed with manic highs that make you feel daring and on top of the world. They switch so it's like the worst part of ADHD and depression coupled together.
I had times myself when I thought I was the happiest man in the world sometimes (which is a thought that I've seen echoed in posts from people with BPD) to think I'm worth nothing. It's honestly terrifying to think about. In my opinion, I believe the best way to deal with it is to clear your mind and move your attention to something else like a video, a book or a nice song. If you are experiencing this yourself I hope this advice helps!
I think the worst part of it all is when everything switches, because I feel good when I am at the top, I feel confident, I feel like nothing's wrong with me and maybe I would love to stay there, but then the sadness kicks is and it's horrible... I am no longer me.
I haven't been diagnosed, so I can't really say what it is, but I relate to a lot of symptoms in the bipolar disorder. I have found a relief in playing videogames with my friends, in listening to classical music and also doing ballet, so thank you so much for your advice. I also hope you have found an effective way to cope with this.
I’m really struggling with a deeply toxic and damaging situation involving my biological sister and my parents. My sister has harbored intense jealousy ever since she found out about my connection with someone I want to marry. It feels like she has made it her mission to sabotage my happiness and well-being. She has been relentlessly spreading lies and negative stories about me, influencing not only my parents but also our extended relatives. The lies she tells have caused people around me to see me in a negative light, even though I’ve done nothing to deserve it.
On top of that, my parents have joined her in creating an environment that is emotionally and even physically harmful. They manipulate and gaslight me constantly, making me question myself and my choices. The emotional harassment is severe, but it has also included physical intimidation or actions that have made me feel unsafe. The combination of my sister and parents has created a relentless attack on my mental health.
They even took things to the extreme by throwing me out of our home, leaving me feeling abandoned and without a safe space to turn to. In an even more damaging move, they cut off all the support systems that I had left. My parents and sister went out of their way to say mean, rude, and vulgar things to my close relatives and friends. As a result, those people who used to support me have distanced themselves, likely because they believe the lies or want to avoid conflict with my family.
This has left me feeling completely isolated, unsupported, and vulnerable. I’ve lost the emotional safety nets I once had, and the constant manipulation, harassment, and lies have taken a huge toll on my well-being. The emotional pain feels overwhelming, and I’m struggling to find a way to cope and move forward from this trauma. I hope that by sharing this with you, we can work together to find a way to start healing and protecting myself from further harm.
Hi popsicle
yes very much so. For me it is understanding, that there are many different stages in life. Some are good days, some are bad. States of depression, makes you miserable, but you need to understand it is a part of life, and as all things. It moves on. When it happens to you, you let it run it course. Do not let it control you, pay it no more attention than you do to stages of excitement and happy times. As they are all connected, as a part of emotion.
I really understand what you’re saying, and it hits close to home for me. Living with BPD means riding these emotional highs and lows all the time, and it’s tough when happiness feels fleeting, like it’s always on the verge of slipping away. That sense of not knowing what’s happening to you, or why everything feels so intense and unstable, is something I’ve struggled with, too. For me, it’s been about finding small ways to cope and hold on during the crashes, even though it’s never easy. Sometimes grounding techniques or simple routines help me feel a bit more in control, and other times, it’s just about reminding myself that the intense feelings will pass, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. I know this might not be a perfect fix, but I hope it’s comforting to know you’re not alone in this experience.
I want to learn some grounding techniques as well, for now what has been helping me is dancing (ballet), writing and listening to classical music, of course this doesn't erase the bad thoughts, or makes me feel 'happy' again, but at least has helped me not to overthink too much or feel awful enough to hurt myself.
Thank you so much, Knowing I am not alone it's really helpful and I hope you know I'm here for you as well.
@Popsicle99
I'm glad to hear how dancing, writing, and listening to classical music have been helping you, even if they don't make everything feel happy again. Sometimes it’s more about holding steady and keeping yourself from spiraling further, and that’s a big win.
If you’re interested, here are three grounding techniques that have worked well for me:
♡ 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: It’s simple but effective. You focus on your senses to get out of your head and into the present. Identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. It helps slow down racing thoughts.
♡ Temperature Change: Grab an ice cube and hold it or splash cold water on your face. The sudden sensation can be really grounding when emotions feel overwhelming. It's like giving your mind a reset button.
♡ Body Scan: Sit comfortably, take slow breaths, and mentally scan your body from head to toe. Notice any tension and try to release it. Sometimes even wiggling your fingers and toes or gently clenching and releasing your fists can make you feel more in control of your body.