This bipolar life

[Kazzl]

Are your moods are like an elevator with no control buttons? Mine are.

Ground floor ... I feel normal, content, just quietly getting on with ordinary, everyday life, loving my family and friends. This is as it should be. And maybe there's nothing wrong with me after all. Live.

Going up, top floor. Oh look! There's a shiny thing! I want to sing! Let's go buy stuff! Let's have a big party and invite the world! What could possibly go wrong! Woooooo hoooooooo! Play.

Going up (a different day) top floor. What do you mean you don't agree with me! I'm right! Why don't you think like me? Keep up! How can you be so illogical? I'll f-ing shred you if you don't do what I want! Rage.

Going down, lower ground floor. Flat, listless, can't be bothered. Can still function but it's a drag. Cope

Going down, basement. I'm never getting out of bed again. I'm useless, worthless. Total idiot, how could I ever imagine I could do anything, nothing ever goes right because I'm wrong. I'm a burden to everyone. Hide.

Welcome to my bipolar world. It's always been my world, but it's only recently I've seen it for what it is. About 15 years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression during one of my 'basement' times. I had a lot of lower ground floor times too, on and off, and I kept out of the basement (so I thought) with alcohol. Until that took me into the blackest ever basement with only one obvious way out. Having survived doing something very dangerous I realised I had to stop drinking or I really would die.

I never took much notice of the playful times or the anger, that was just me, I was fun sometimes, and sometimes I was a devastating bitch. Ha! Deal with it people!

Well, yes, but in time the elevator started going up and down too quickly and, as I became more aware and more knowledgeable about mental health I realised this wasn't good. Doctor. Diagnosis. Bipolar 2. Lithium.

So, I've started this thread in the hope that other bipolar folks will join me, to share experiences and strategies. In my 'beginners' understanding, we are different from other fellow travellers of the back dog. While we experience depression as many others on this site do, the hypomanic or manic ups and, for some the rapid cycling that can happen, are experiences unto themselves.

I want to learn more, and I want to share with others. I hope my fellow elevators will join me here.
BTW, it's a ground floor day in my head today! Yay!

Love

Kaz

[Issi]

Tony WK

How is car going? Hopefully you are back on your way again.

Issi

[white knight]

Hi Issi

They have the parts. Might be here anither day or so. I'm retired so no schedule.

Thankyou

Tony WK

[Lady_Stardust]

Welcome, mimsy! You'll find a home with us here, very cosy and supportive. :3

Hope everyone is doing okay and there are no dramas currently or ahead for anyone. The last thing any of us need is drama, huh?

I'm going to go to the doctor sometime soon. My head hasn't been right for a little while now, and I think my medication needs reviewing. I may also be getting a referral to a psychologist, depends how I feel when I go. There are things that need to be discussed, and they can't be avoided forever.

[quirkywords]

welcome mimsy- I like your photograph!

Lady I am pleased you are going to the doctor.

Hope it is sooner than later. My trouble is I sometimes know something is not right but I can't articulate exactly what.

Hello to everyone hope this week is going well.

Quirky

[velvetfaerie]

Hey guys !

I am struggling right now re the articulating stuff issue Quirky! Oh how I understand! Currently I am reaching my I don't care anymore /selfish stage. Finding it hard to tell people this without sounding like a huge horror! I am pondering the below dribble................

I was a very happy healthy person before the last man came into my life bringing his baggage that should have been dealt with years ago! I am actually starting to hate the fact I dumped him numerous times and keep talking to him out of caring he has no friends/life/family that give a toss about him. Starting to see why after his drunk phone call Friday night. Was unbelievable and out of character. He reaches out and contacts me again. Yes I should delete and block but something stops me. I am scared if he has no one to talk to that things might deteriorate further. Oh conundrum.

Rant over LOL !

I have been eating so much junk food over the last many weeks, I cleaned up this yesterday.... this will help me feel better too. And more exercise.... and sunshine.... loose the yukky pudgy bloaty bits I have gathered!

Lady: I hope your visit goes well, positive and so forth.

Hey Mimsy!. These people here rock. So much helpful folk on the entire site. 😄

Velv.

[Airies]

Hi folks,

Mimsy welcome aboard the fun ship. Trust me never a dull moment here. Reassuring to see you getting some professional help. Understanding medicos make a difference. I was diagnosed bipolar1 a year and a half ago. I've come a long way since then and lots of support and people who get it here. We can rant as much as we want and we listen.

Bring on the sunshine. My footy team has won 2 in a row. Winners are grinners. Take care folks, be kind yourselves,

cheers LM

[white knight]

My wife and I have both lost 11.5 kgm in 11 weeks.

No bread (flat bread for dips only), sugar, potatoes, pasta, rice.

With rice if we have it, we boil it with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Refrigerate for 12 hours. Then reheat. Scientists found it halves the calories.

Tony WK

[velvetfaerie]

I'm going to try that recipe Tony!

My energy is coming back yay!!

[Airies]

Tony,

wow that's fantastic for both of you.Similiar to you following similar diet has worked. 20 kgs since last June. I'm a lazy cook,eat lots of fruit and grains,I microwave lots and being very regimented nowadays re: food all I know it's working and doesn't it work wonders for the joints, body and mind. I used to love my junk food, but now living and eating very clean. My wife doesn't have to cook for me. Over Winter I'm being kind to myself food wise and monitor my weight with an app or governed by my belt or a quick look in the mirror.I also use an app my son found called Zero based on fasting between dawn and dusk with the goal being 13 between those meals. Like everything once you become used to it and it's a habit. I'd still like to loose a few more kgs but remembering a few years back before everything went ass up I weighed the same but nowadays believe I'm stronger as muscle weighs more then fat. Keep up the great work. It's not an easy thing to do at our age lol. Give yourselves a pat on the back. You inspire those around you. And it's ok to have the occasional treat.Have you and your wife reached your goal weight.?

Have you got your wheels back yet? Always had a laugh watching Lucille Ball and hubby doing road trip with caravan. A great black and white film. Showing my age !

cheers LM

[Airies]

Hey Velvet,

you go girl. I'm the sort of cook who googles how to boil an egg, do it and then 3 weeks later if I need to do it again, go back to google.

Tony re: hair in all directions mine has a mind of its own as well. Funny the correlation re: that and mental health. I've a good head of hair I just hate the extra hair you get as you get older, like ear hair ... I reckon the meds are like a hair tonic or fertilyser.

cheers LM