It’s just too hard

[ANT333]

Hi I decided to join today mainly because I’m in a really bad place right now and I need some help. I have been diagnosed with bipolar and am just coming down from a manic episode. I have been suffering from bipolar for 25+ years and to be honest I’m tired, I’m emotionally and physically drained. I just don’t want to feel like this anymore.

can anyone please offer some advice. I’m currently taking meds and I just don’t want to be taking more than I already am so I would like advice of how to overcome this feeling without having to take more medications.

thank you

[Sophie_M]

Hi Ant333, I would like to first welcome you to the forums and thank you for being vulnerable and sharing this with the community here at Beyond Blue. Our support team has sent you a private message just to check in and offer some support options that might be available to you tonight if you are needing that. No wonder you are feeling so drained, given you have been battling this for years. Please know that you are not alone, even if it feels like it right now, and with the right management and supports, things dont have to feel like this forever. It sounds like you are really struggling with your bipolar and are feeling quite desperate to find something that will help you feel better. It is always very important that any sort of specific advice regarding mediation and the management of a mental illness be at the advice of your treating team of professionals, however, I am sure there are some users on the forums that may be able to offer some support or gentle guidance regarding self care and strategies. For tonight, we encourage you to reach out to our counsellors at our support team to talk some of these feeling through on 1300 22 4636. We can help 24 hours a day, seven days a week with counselling support, information and referrals. We can arrange for you to be taken to hospital too if you are at immediate risk of suicide or self-harm.

Warmest Regards,

[Croix]

Dear ANT333~

Welcome here, I'm glad Sophie_M was here to greet you and give some good advice.

I can well imagine the very great strain you have been under for so long. I would imagine your illness is something that often has real effects on your life both in relationships and also acts you can come in time to regret.

There is a very long-running thread in which a large number of people have contributed and said how they have been affected, and on occasion how they have managed to cope with or lessen their symptoms. May I suggest you have a browse though?

It is so long it might take you a few goes. Don't let htat stop you posting there as well as here if you found something you wanted to comment on or help wiht by drawing on your own experiences.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/this-bipolar-life/page/251

I hope this helps

Croix