Young person with Bipolar 2

[CookieP]

Hi guys, I’m really new to this,

im 22 yrs old and was diagnosed with bipolar 2 about 6mnths ago after becoming quite hypomanic on anti-depressants. It was a really rough time for me and I feel the diagnosis has given me some clarity and understanding as to why I feel/act the way I do.
i left my job not long after finding out- I wasn’t coping with the stress.
I work closely with my GP and psychologist but still feel as if I’m learning something new about my bipolar every day.

lockdown seems to trigger my episodes, so that has not been easy.

anyway I just wanted to post this, if anyone is in a similar boat pls feel free to reach out!

[Positive_vibes89]

Thank you for posting and welcome to the forum! Being told that you have bipolar 2 would be quite stressful. Thank you for sharing your diagnosis with us. I am glad that it has brought you some understanding in the way you function daily. Im sorry to hear that you left your job because you were stressed out. Has it helped and make you feel better?

I congratulate you for taking responsibility for your own mental health. It is very important that we all take a step back and look after ourselves. I too quit my job because of stress. It was the best thing I ever did, I am now alot happier. I am sure you can notice the difference within yourself too! I am glad that you have been keeping a close relationship with your GP and psychologist. Well done!

[Widdershins02]

Hey Cookie,

I was diagnosed with Bipolar II after rapid cycling on anti-depressants. The first few months are particulary challenging as you not only start new meds, but transition off the old. I'm not sure which is worse!

Lockdowns definitely add a layer of new stress and prevent many of our usual routine activities that keep us on track. My old psychiatrist use to say that you have to think about your wellbeing as a chair with four legs for support - one is exercise, one is sleeping, one is a healthy diet, and the last is taking your medication while staying away from alcohol and ilicit drugs. Fortunately, we can at least manage most of these under the restrictions.

Hope you're taking good care of yourself and if you don't have a psychiatrist in addition to your GP and psychologist, I would very highly recommend you find one. There are also a few good online support groups around if you want to chat to people with similar experiences.

[quirkywords]

CookieP and Widdershins welcome to this thread.

Thanks for opening up and being honest . I was diagnosed with bipolar over 45 years ago. It is hard when first diagnosed but the more you know about your behaviour and moods.

Both of you are welcome to browse the thread This bipolar life . This is a friendly group and you both are welcome to drop by and say hello.

[CookieP]

Hi Widdershins02, quirkywords,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes it’s been very difficult, and I still don’t think my medication is working for me. I’m depressed 99% of the time with windows of happiness and motivation for a week or so every now and then. It’s exhausting. I feel as if I don’t know who I truly am, as my moods are always changing. I only saw a psychiatrist twice before he retired due to health reasons and am currently only seeing my GP and psychologist. They recommend lifestyle changes (sleep, excercise etc) I’m trying but struggling, I know it will help though so I’ll keep trying. I do research about bipolar but I’m just so confused as to how it affects me and how to help myself.
I think I’ll need to see a psychiatrist.

Im just tired.

Anyway thanks for listening to me rant 😮

[Positive_vibes89]

Dear CookieP,

Give your medication some time, it can sometimes take a little while for you body to adjust. Life style changes do take time and will not happen overnight. And you will experience times when you will mess up. I recommend getting a piece of paper. Writing down some of those goals. Then think of the tools you currently have to use in reaching those goals? What barriers are going to keep you from achieving those life style change goals? and how you can overcome those barriers? What supports do you have to reach those goals? And what is also your motivation behind them. The assess this plan and decided when you would like to put it into action. How you then will monitor progress, a calander? a diary? Give yourself an incentive, a new item of clothing?

Hope this helps map your journey for change.

[Mk2692]

Hi CookieP,

Thank you for sharing your storey. I'm sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time. I believe with medications they do take a few weeks or even more than a month to see the full results. However, if you feel like the medication is not providing you with much improvement then I would recommend to speak to your GP about it. You can also ask your GP to refer you to see another psychiatrist if you require more information about your condition. It's great that you are trying to make the changes recommended by both your GP and psychologist and hopefully you can see improvements in your mood soon. Whenever I experience depression I try to do things that can bring me out of my mood like going for a walk at a park i've never visited before or attending a live yoga class. I feel if i focus too much on not feeling my emotions they become worse later on. So whenever i'm feeling depressed or anxious i let my feelings flow, i meditate and tell myself I can get through it just like I've gotten through many things before. I also find deep breathing very useful, for instance while I was at work I felt quite anxious because it was busy and I wasn't accomplishing the tasks required, so i stopped for a second and allows my self to take a few deep breaths and told myself I will be ok and that I can do this. Positive self talk was something I never personally did until recently and now I believe it has improved the way I react and handle situations. Hope this helps.