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

[Airies]

Hi Issi,

glad to see TMS is working for you. Headaches are a pain but hopefully just short term and benefits outweigh the losses. I used to have massive headaches after ECT treatment but it helped me turn the corner. Breakfast they say is the most important meal of the day.

ive read that caffeine and bipolar are a bad mix , so this is day 1 with coffee. Sticking to herbal teas and waiting for the headaches to come.im determined to cut coffee out. Early days but will preservere,

have a good one

cheers LM

[Airies]

Issi,

hope the headaches pass.im sure they will. Had headaches post ECT but worth it. Turning point for me. Breakfast they say is the most important meal of the day.Slow and gradual works. Baby steps.im trying to give up coffee as it doesn't agree with BP. N headaches yet but I'm sure they will come.

Cold night ahead but nice weekend ahead,

stay warm cheers

LM

[The_Possum]

Tony, I like the 'free hugs' signage.. As long as it doesn't attract any unsavoury types lol

LenM, I heard somewhere it's meant to be the coldest weekend of winter!​ We are going caving.. Kathmandu jackets, beanies and gloves, and my photography gear.

Quirky I don't think you're bossy, quite the contrary actually! Very insightful and supportive 😊

Have a good weekend everyone

[Airies]

Wow Possum,

youve got a lot more energy then this old fart. Takes me back to my early 20s looking at a few caves. Bet you will get some stunning photos. Sounds like you have all the right gear. What fun I'd love to hear all about it down the track. I'm in awe! I used to buy spearfishing mags when younger and gob smacked at the photos from the cave divers. Now they are nuts. Hopefully you will get warmer the deeper you go. Sounds like journey to the centre of the earth.Have fun, stay safe and enjoy yourself. I plan to poke around the garden, doing a vertical garden out of a shoe rack and spend some quality time with my DW and pooch. Roll on Spring, as much as Winter irks me, I've got my good head on for a change,

happy snapping:)

cheers LM

[The_Possum]

Thanks Len! Well I've been a misery, feeling sorry for myself lately and we decided let's take the family on a little adventure. Kids in tow, aged 4 and 6 years! We did some caving last year and the kids loved it, but my then 3 year old needed to be carried part of the way which made it difficult lugging camera gear with him on my back!

This time should be easier now that they are older. I'll be sure to let you know how it all goes.

Vertical garden sounds fantastic! I'm not very good at gardening.. It always ends badly lol So I admire you for getting in there and doing it.

I'm not a fan of winter myself.. Summer is my favourite month, but I also love spring because everything is in bloom.

Take care x

[white knight]

Hi all

Everyones holidaying

We have gone from Victoria to southern Queensland to the warmth. We drive a vintage car and tow a caravan we built early last year

I have always had a sensitivity with people. I have a need to get away from them. But if approached by someone that is admiring my car I'll chat for ages. I cant figure that out lol.

There's a lot I cant figure out about myself but I dont dwell on that very much now.

Tony WK

[The_Possum]

Tony, I think you're just selective.. And that ain't a bad thing!

Enjoy the road trip, love the updates! Take care x

[Issi]

LenM

Thanks LenM once the treatment finishes the headaches go the next day. Yes we are in for cold nights but so far nice sunny Saturday and they say sunny Sunday.

Tony so glad your trip is going well after your minor hiccup, enjoy the warmth.

Possum enjoy your caving, not something I've thought about doing, I enjoy the beach even in winter rugged up and walking along it picking up shells.

Keep warm

Issi

[The_Possum]

Issi.. It's freezing.... Who's idea was this??!! Dam bipolar ideas lol

I'd rather be walking the beach collecting shells.

Although the kids think this is an epic adventure.. More resilient than me.

[Airies]

Possum,

sounds like fun. Back in the dark ages we lived in caves. It's colder outside. Can't believe of some of the - (minus temperatures) we are experiencing. Canberra -8.9..

wow I couldn't live there. Went for a couple of bike rides over the weekend. Nice when the sun was out but cold at times.

Stay warm, rug up, maybe a warm hot chocolate, latte or herbal tree and put your feet up. As for me day 4 caffeine free and still no headaches.Maybe 1 positive of all my meds, lots of things nullified lol,

im on the couch, heater on, cashmere scarf on trying to keep warm... 2 more months of Winter brwwwww

cheers LM