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

[asdff]

Along with avoidance Quirky. I avoid certain situations that could trigger or certain people that can trigger me. I’ve got one of those coming over soon. The triggering people. The one that causes the pain and tears. Even as I write this my face is scrunched up, my toes are curled, my shoulders are hunched.

Leisa, enjoy the movies. Plus a visit to Town Hall. That sounds dignified.

[quirkywords]

Asdff

I am queen of avoidance and never knew it was not a helpful thing for me it works.
People ask when I will return the town. Y house was and zi say probabl6 ne et. Why would I put myself through pain and many triggers. I was told in an on,one course I had to face my triggers and stop avoiding going back to my old community.

i ask tell me one good reason why I should return or we need to put up with people that really trigger us.

i am with you on avoidance Asdff.

Leisa have not been out to movies for maybe 7 years or more. Enjoy.

[quirkywords]

Wednesday is world bipolar day below issome8 vo o4 you may want to google or not.ni never there was a day till I found out on this thread..

INVOLVED WITH WORLD BIPOLAR DAY
Gather together to Blow Bubbles for Bipolar and help spread awareness, celebrate recovery and end the stigma surrounding Bipolar Disorder.
Spread the word
World Bipolar Day is marked on March 30 to celebrate the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh. Let your colleagues, friends, and family know about the festivities by setting up a Facebook event, sending out e-vites, or good old-fashioned paper invites. Whichever option you choose, remem- ber that it’s all about awareness!
Get your supplies
Whether you’re throwing a party, a picnic, a morning tea or just taking a moment out of your day to blow some bubbles, make sure you buy some bubbles and add some decorations to fit your occasion.
Blow some bubbles
Bipolar Australia’s core initiative is Blow Bubbles for Bipolar. It’s a fun and easy activity to all celebrate the occasion and the possibility of recovery as well and hold powerful symbolic meaning for those with bipolar.
Share your support
Don’t forget to take some awesome snaps of your event. Share your pics using the hashtags #WorldBipolarDay and #BipolarBubbles on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to show your support!

Do you feel is necessary, a good way to breakdown stigma and create awareness or do you think it is not necessary or none of the above.

[Leisa68]

Thanks for that quirky,

I'll definitely do something private for World BiPolar day. I've put it into my diary.

[quirkywords]

Been staying with partners son family in another state. They are looking after two old friendly big dogs. One could es right up and lays his head on your knee. Everytime I went on rowing machine , the dog would sit beside me and watch.
I am tired and miss by routine in op shop.

How has everyone’s week been.

[velvetfaerie]

Sounds nice though Quirky.

I had psychologist today. He's going to ask for more sessions through my employer due to everything and ptsd stuff and being on my own.

I went grocery shopping and bought minimal healthy food.

I'm falling asleep now. See you on the flip.

[Airies]

Good on you Quirky, I’m hear listening to Bonnie Raitt on Spotify. I listen to all sorts mostly with the volume up. I’m walking everyday and as an early birthday present luckily enough to buy a bike. Hello trails, good bye roads. Flamingo orange a bit understated just like me. Neighbour’s have their spa going and next door neighbours will be getting one one. So surrounded by the sounds of running water, who needs the beach.

V , sounds like a good relationship with psych and a step in the right direction. Thought of you as I spotted Doritos at the supermarket. I was tempted , really tempted but brought 2 blocks of chocolate. Today some sushi rolls instead of junk. I’m trying to loose weight. Will get there somehow.

Will have a quite one tomorrow. Take care everybody and be kind to yourselves. Good on you Quirky for giving the rowing machine a go

[quirkywords]

Velvet glad you will get more sessions.

Aries well done for walking.

[Leisa68]

Hi everyone,

Saw my psychiatrist today, who has prescribed me an antipsychotic (another weight gaining wonder) for my spiraling so we will see how that goes. Hope it helps, but I have been feeling a little better the past couple of days. Another assignment started today, well reading for it really, gathering information. More showers today making everything soggy, no time for a coffee out on the verandah in the sun. Had a really nice pork chop with seasoning for lunch and my favorite, eggs, and bacon for breakfast...yum.

A quiet week, except for Saturday when I go into the town hall.

I hope you all have a good week.

Leisa

[Lisa611]

Hi All...I've been reading everyone's posts. I hope everyone is travelling along ok. Sometimes I feel like I'm on a roundabout that never stops. Same old same old. I'm looking forward to the Easter break. How bizarre was Will Smith's behaviour at the academy awards? I've seen the movie King Richard. It was good. I've also seen The Day of the Dog which won best director. I didn't think it was that good.