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

[Leisa68]

Hi everyone

How are you all? I hope well. Today went food shopping and watched a really out-there movie called Mother! It started off really good and then went south. Went to Bunnings yesterday and bought me a couple of plants. I hope to see them grow along with the others.

I have not heard of a teary pothole, but can imagine it being a period of being down. I have my theatre group with my club meeting later this month, and I have no idea of closing it down due to COVID. We are seeing an adaption of the play "Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf" and I am forging ahead with this. Am tired of the restrictions, as are most of my fellow club members. Let's see how that goes.

Wringer, I hope the bites feel better soon. I have to do some exercise online over the weekend and go to the pool. The mood is not too bad, heads south at least once a day. Usually, the mood is continually south, so am relieved at the moment.

Leisa

[quirkywords]

hello everyone

Leisa

Did you ever see the movie with Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf.?

One half day of sun then rain is back.

Anyone have plans for weekend ?

[wringer]

hello group, I would love to own a beautiful garden, well done for creating one.

Yesterday I had a 30 hour head ache probably because I inhaled some insect repellent. It was my first time using the stuff and I have high sensitivities. That plus the insect welts was seven days in a row, that I suffered from complaints a total crap week!

No plans for the weekend no plans at all, this afternoon I will have a cup of tea and think of you all. Bye

[Airies]

Hi folks, Busy weekend, family function and others attending so will take its toll. In the past I’ve been told off for packing up chairs and the like before people have gone and giving sons friends dagger looks when they become to loud. Guess I need to chill. Harder said then done.

Quirky is that the film with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton? I follow a few posts on Facebook and delight n the film stars of yesteryear, then look at their bio and other facts on the net. Keeps the brain active and brings back many memories

v , I hope you are doing ok. Thinking of you. Spotted Red rumps, Corellas ( what a racket at dawn and dusk) and a family of 3 Tawny Frogmouths. A farmer has replaced a section of fencing along his property. I’m sure a family of red rumps and Eastern Rosella’s nested in the old hollow fencing. Sad to see.

My mood plummets at times daily. No one would know and they’re not the most pleasant thoughts.I’m tired, my memory fails me , along with my body..I sound like a sook but I’m ok. Be kind to yourself folks

[quirkywords]

Aries , yes Richard and Elizabeth.

I used to like looking up bios on screen stars too.

We have possums making a noise in the middle of the night, you have birds.

V , I things are going ok.

asdff, how is life now school is back.

wringer, I don’t use repellants as they make me sick too.

Leisa I watched a movie called father with Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman.

Lisa do you have the same work load this year.? How is the new principal ?

[Leisa68]

Hi all,

Quirky I haven't seen "Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf" but I have seen "The Father" (great movie). I watched a movie last night with the other half called "Mother!" which started out good and then turned into utter drivel. My partner wants to watch another tonight, I'm going to turn out like Bill Collins at this rate.

A cup of tea this afternoon with a friend and found out the local bottle-o had been broken into and the local TAB is closing down. I wonder if betting on a horse will be all online now. I only go to the TAB on Melbourne Cup day. The mood has been up and down today quite erratic. That's one thing I can count on lately.

Leisa

[velvetfaerie]

I'm here! I'm ok. Been keeping busy with house things, exercise and learning about stuff. Tired today because I went full on the last 3 days. Rest day today. Kind of.

A teary pothole. I have those but they're less these days. The occasional one. I suspect hormones may be influential.

Wringer - I'm very sensitive to particular chemical smells as well. I really hope the headache is long gone now!!!

I've been reflecting on lots of stuff regarding sensitivities / overwhelm. I'm happy in a living space with minimal objects in it. Clutter makes me on edge. This is one example.

Yes musical background here. All self taught though.

Airies- that's sad about the hollow stumps. Hopefully they weren't occupied when the stumps were replaced. The birds in my trees have been rowdy too. Baby galahs and red tail black cockies. So. Loud.

My boss is back from extended leave. We are facing a massive staffing issue this year. People are leaving in droves. No ones being replaced. Massive amounts of work coming in. She's a tad nervous. I said "we got this. One day at a time." She said "I am so glad we have really good staff here."

V

[quirkywords]

Thanks for the update . I am glad your boss realises the good staff she has especially in you and your loyalty and diligence.

[velvetfaerie]

She's a gem. She has anxiety almost constantly and she knows I understand. In fact all the staff do. She's not a denier of mental health like the other management. She's a very compassionate and empathetic human being. She can also be brutally honest without being brutal.

It's definitely going to be a very interesting year. I've spoken to 2 colleagues who I call friends the last 2 days. I just told them we need to forget whatever grizzles we have with each and band together as a team. If we are being forced into any amounts of unpaid overtime we get the union in and down tools. That's it. We dig in. One colleague has done a lot of damage to her health working serious amounts of unpaid overtime for a long time. She cuts off her nose to spite her face. She thinks she's the only competent person there.

I suspect some humble pie is baking for a few staff and management........

[Airies]

Velvet, sounds like a rare boss. Sounds like you have the right approach, knuckle down but look after number one in the process.V I hate excess. We got rid of so much when we downsized and continue to do so.

Wringer, I’m sensitive to smell, used to love the smell of petrol when filling the car up.

Leisa, Bill Collins didn’t he go on and on . Ivan Hutchinson was good as well.I’m a fan of Netflix, catch-up tv and Disney Plus.
Hope everyone is travelling ok this weekend. A warm 35 predicted here today. Tired before the days started.