topic Bipolar, high's and low's in Depression

Bipolar, high's and low's

Reddie — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:34:41 GMT

I'm having trouble at the moment on a manic low, not sleeping well at nights and sleeping all day, racing thoughts, worried all the time about trivial things that I probably shouldn't. Not eating correctly, lost all interests in everything, keeping myself isolated from everyone. Friends call me and I make up excuses that I cant come out to socialize with them. I live with my two son's, one 28, the other 31, both wont talk to me because of some of the things I've said to them lately. The only thing that I get pleasure from is my little dog, which my son's hate. My day consists of getting up because my dog wants to go outside around 7.30am, I take her outside so she can pee, then its back to bed till 1pm or 2ish, sometimes even later, then sit in front of the telly till dinner, when I open a can of baked beans then take it back to my own area away from the boys. Some times I think if I were dead, they wouldn't find out for days, I would never harm myself. If I call them on there mobiles to buy me something while there out they never pick up and make up excuses there phone isn't working. Looking forward to hearing from anyone that will talk to me...........

Bipolar, high's and low's

JessF — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 05:56:16 GMT

Hello Reddie, it sounds like things are very strained with your sons at the moment which isn't helping. It's sounding like you're quite overwhelemd with the depth of your low as well. How have you coped before when you've hit rock bottom like this? For me, I reduce my expectations right down to the smallest things, and then start adding in very small, achievable goals to help me work my way back to functioning. Maybe those things that you want your sons to buy for you, perhaps a goal for the day could be a trip out to the shops to get those things yourself. And maybe you might even like to get something small for your sons as a peace offering? Do they understand your illness very well?

Oh also have a look on the Staying well section, there is a lovely thread there about pets and how they help you to stay well that you might like to post in.

Bipolar, high's and low's

blondguy — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 07:52:23 GMT

Hi Reddie and Welcome too

Paul here....I have seen you help another person on the forums..I thought you did very well by the way.

JessF (Angela Lansbury) has it spot on with not having high expectations...It can provide some relief. It can take the pressure off.

Being worried and thinking about trivial little things sounds like nearly everyone I know...including me..If I may ask you Reddie....

* Have you been diagnosed with depression?

* How is the quality of your sleep?

* Do you have a GP that you are comfortable with?

You have come to the right place...I have had depression for many years and still have..I am sorry about your sons not really helping you right now....Sorry about the questions....

I do feel your pain Reddie (beautiful dog too 🙂

Kind Thoughts

Paul

Bipolar, high's and low's

white knight — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 11:44:14 GMT

Hi Reddie,

You haven't mentioned if its your home you live in and your sons board with you or is it your sons home and you're staying there?

I'll assume its your home. Sorry if I'm going to sound harsh here: At their ages they should be living apart from you. Then they would appreciate paying a mortgage or rent and then appreciate your hospitality. Treating you with contempt is a no no in my book.

But that's my opinion. I told my daughters they had to leave home by 19yo. Then you might not have the tension and you'll feel more at home....in your own home. And no, it isn't cruel asking them to move out.

Tony WK

Bipolar, high's and low's

Bluey_moon — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 12:01:17 GMT

Reddie,

Hi, I'm sorry I don't have much in the way of advice but I just wanted to tell you that there are lots of people hear who have great advice.

Have you been diagnosed Bipolar, do you take meds? Do these help?

Bipolar, high's and low's

Reddie — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:06:11 GMT

Hi blondguy,

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar and have suffered with it since 1998, find it hard to fall asleep with racing thoughts (worrying about things, living conditions, cooking, cleaning.....etc). I do have a GP that is helpful and on the 15th of this month I'm going to visit his nurse to organize a Mental Health Plan. Thanks Paul

Bipolar, high's and low's

Reddie — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:46:19 GMT

white knight, my eldest son has Bipolar (hes is more on the depression side of it, never gets the manic highs like me), suffers from Aspergers and chronic fatigue syndrome, my middle son moved in with us to insure we got the rental. I brought the my little dog into the house just after we moved in just under 12 mths ago, around 5 mths ago he bought a Lab which makes my dog bark, he tolerates my dog, but dislikes her barking. Because of this I'm isolated to one part of the house away from both my sons and his dog and the only interaction I get is with my dog. One of the main reasons I don't go anywhere is because I'm scared they might hurt her.

Bipolar, high's and low's

Reddie — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 18:14:00 GMT

Hi JessF, my name is Steve, in the past I've had huge manic highs, not sleeping, racing thoughts, drinking to much, until in 1998 I was diagnosed with Bipolar, I was medicated and could function as normal. In 2004 I went on another high because of drinking to much, lost my drivers license, went on a massive low for 14mths. Re married in 2008 and after 11mths she left me for another man, back on another low, in November of 2014 went on another high till July 2015, then it was down hill from there till now. I'm hoping to pull out of this again. One thing I haven't mentioned I'm on a carers pension looking after my 31 year old son who has Bipolar also, maybe its just a little hard to look after him and try and get myself on track also......You mentioned something about the Stay Well section, I couldn't find it?

Bipolar, high's and low's

blondguy — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 00:29:40 GMT

Good Morning Steve

Thanks for getting back to us.

I really admire how well you have approached and setting up your network of health professionals that can help.

I do a lot of dog rescue/rehab and I am sorry about the black lab and proximity issues with your nice dog....Thats a tough one....hmmm..

You are also a carer for your 31 year old son too Steve. You have a huge heart Steve.

Staying Well.....This section is just below us under Forums Steve

We are here for you

Kind Thoughts

Paul

Bipolar, high's and low's

Chris_B — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 05:18:27 GMT

Hi Reddie, welcome to the forums.

Here is the pet thread that JessF was referring to.

Bipolar, high's and low's

Guest_5218 — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 07:56:56 GMT

Hi Steve. Nice to meet you. You have such a lot going on in your life, it must be really hard. Unfortunately I know nothing about what you are going through with regards your BiPolar, so I really cant help there. It is great though that you are about to get a Mental Health Plan going next week. Hopefully that will enable you to get some professional help to start making things easier for you. As a Carer yourself, you need to get on top of things as soon as possible.

In the meantime I would be very happy to talk to you anytime. And it appears that one thing we do have in common is our love for our dogs. My profile picture is my little mini foxie x chihauhau, Holly. She is an absolute delight, and I dont know what I would do without her sometimes. I am unable to tell what breed your dog is, but she looks lovely, and I would love to hear more about her. But this thread here is not the place to do that, as we need to stay 'on topic' here. Anyway, Chris B has provided the link to the Pet thread in his reply above. Just click on the red bit and it will take you straight to the pet thread. I would be happy to discuss dogs with you any time.

Another area you may be interested in just for a bit of chat time and company when you need it, is the BB Cafe. You will find plenty of friendly people there who will be very welcoming to you and who will be more than happy to chat with you about anything. You dont need to stay 'on topic' with that one. The BB Cafe is open 24/7, so anytime you find you would like some company, go along and post a reply, and there will almost certainly be someone there to greet you.

Hang in there Steve, things will get better again soon, I'm sure.

Sherie xx

Bipolar, high's and low's

white knight — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 08:25:13 GMT

Hi Reddie,

Well that's explains your situation better, thanks. In my humble opinion it seems the interaction issues with your sons and yourself needs a counsellor to deal with.

Hope you find an answer to it all. Glad you are here, its a great place some of us call home.

Tony WK