The Roller Coaster Ride

[BDmelody]

Hi All,

Sorry if I stuff this up.

I recently got diagnosed with a scary condition that I am simply not coping with. I do not understand how I went so long without it being found out. I guess as has been explained to me, a true diagnosis is not achieved until it escalates. Currently I am still awaiting a full diagnosis as I was told it can be a long process.

I have a wonderful partner who is supportive and pushed me to get help after a bad lot of episodes, but he doesn't fully understand and sometimes simply has no idea how to be supportive.

I really just wish someone understood. I feel quite alone trying to deal with this, despite the support of my partner. I am scared by the diagnosis and what is occuring.

Sorry All, but thanks.

[bushwalker]

Hi BDmelody, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 in 2013 and on diagnosis identified that I had been living with it for many years. I also am fortunate to have a great partner and with the appropriate guidance from my doctors and specialists I am have now been living a very good life. I found support from my partner, ( i do have medication) but also a very healthly lifestyle, good food,exercise and mediation has assisted me immensely. In fact when I was diagnosed I was relieved because prior to this I did have some difficulty. Now life is good, I understand my condition, I feel in control and the more you learn about it will assist. I am reaching out as bipolar only affects a relatively small percentage of the population and we need to talk about it.

[BDmelody]

Thanks Bushwalker,

That does fill me with some hope that all will be ok.

I am glad that there is a diagnosis and medication is seeming to have some impact, it's just been a scary adjustment really.

To a degree, I am also struggling with the diagnosis as it, yes explains my behaviour, but also highlights the behaviour. So whilst I now sort of know why things are happening, it makes it a little harder to deal with because I now know something is not right or normal. As before it was what it was and you just took one after that other not realising it was abnormal.

Hope that makes some sense to someone.

Thanks All,

[BDmelody]

Hi All,

How do you all feel about hospitalisation?

A chat with my psychiatrist today resulted in him wanting me to consider admission. I am a little concerned and worried about this to be honest. I do not understand what can be achieved in hospital that can't outside of.

Then, how do I convey to work, especially after barely keeping my job due to turmoil of behaviour.

Sorry all, would appreciate any advice and help.

Thanks

[Paws4Thought]

Hi BDmelody,

Hey, what a brilliant idea to ask other people in similar situations for their opinions about hospitalisation rather than just do it. Good on you for taking time to consider it fully!

My first thought is that your health should ALWAYS come first, no matter how important your job might be - even more so if, as you say, your job has been in a bit of turmoil lately because of your condition at the moment.

Next thought, how about you ask the psychiatrist directly before making the decision? As he/she is recommending hospitalisation, which might mean a pretty significant change to your lifestyle for a time, it seems only reasonable to ask them to explain all the details of (1) Why they think it's a good idea, (2) How they think it will help, and (3) What are the pros and cons of either hospitalisation or non-hospitalisation?

My personal 'hospital experiences' might differ from yours as I suffer from major depression and anxiety not bipolar (all these labels!). When going to hospital was first suggested to me, I jumped at the idea. It felt like I could have a holiday - a legitimate (acceptable?) way to be able to just stop and not have to worry about all the difficulties of everyday life. Then, in reality, I had both good and bad experiences while I was in hospital. Both were only due to the personalities of individual nurses - just like everything else, there were good and bad.

In hindsight, I'm glad I went into hospital but I wish I had been better prepared for the ups and downs I could expect there so that I could have been more focused on me (selfish or otherwise) and how to get me better. Maybe that's another reason to ask your psychiatrist about the expected benefits and how you can personally achieve them whether in hospital or not?

Good luck on your journey to getting and feeling well!