Bipolar, high's and low's

Reddie · ‎09-03-2016

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...........

JessF · ‎10-03-2016

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.

blondguy · ‎10-03-2016

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

white knight · ‎10-03-2016

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

Bluey_moon · ‎10-03-2016

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?

Reddie · ‎11-03-2016

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

Reddie · ‎11-03-2016

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.

Reddie · ‎11-03-2016

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?

blondguy · ‎11-03-2016

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

Chris_B · ‎11-03-2016

Hi Reddie, welcome to the forums.

Here is the pet thread that JessF was referring to.