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

[quirkywords]

Hello everyone,

does anyone think relationships are harder for people with bipolar or any mental illness.

I am tired a lot so not driven to achieve.

[asdff]

Velvet, good for you standing up for yourself. That woman sounds terrible.

I don’t know why others comments rattle me too Airies. Why somedays I let things slide, other days small comments get into the broken parts of me. I guess that is what bipolar will do to us? I am never a full put together puzzle.

[quirkywords]

Asdff

yes some days I can be niggly, some days I cry at drop of a hat, some days I can be impatient and some days I can bake cookies and sort out my books and smile and be cheerful.

[wail]

Way to go Asdff, just keep them guessing as to why you are taut and terrific. Today I wrote that killer line in a birthday card ' the most fun I've ever been around' I just love it!

Correctamundo Velvet being objectified is a dulling experience but on a bright side 'Snacky' is my new favorite work.

Wonderous thinking to Quirky, and yes I think all relationships bring there own joy and tension and the later is super challenging for those of us crowned with Bipolar. Cookies, books and smiles sounds like heaven.

[Airies]

Velvet, had a magic ride. That little switch in my head said go, plus you inspired me. No excuses really as it was a lovely Winters day.

im never a full put together puzzle really resonates with me. I almost get there and then the pieces are thrown up into the air and we start over again.

Quirky, relationships are hard at the best of times. I don’t realise the effect my condition has on my immediate family. I am blessed to have an amassing wife and children.This someone mention cookies. My wife loves baking and I love eating .

[quirkywords]

I eat what I bake so I don’t cook too much.

watching the swimming Ahmed and scooter great athletes , I was in tears.
Jaryd getting a silver in 5000 metres crying as he was spent by his effort .

I love the Paralympic. Games So many stories.

[wail]

Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me,

Where troubles melt like lemon drops, high above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me...

Respect to the masses, last night I dropped in to praise the birthday lady and my husband waited in the car, so the visit was brief. I took 5 photos of the small group and had 2 slices of neapolitan cake, yummo! After, when I got home I noticed a large orb in 4 pictures and I made the mistake of telling my husband. Now if I say anything about angels or spirits he will harshly question my sanity. It is almost like he is getting older and becoming his own black and white critical thinking father. I did delete the photos as I was commanded too, a bit because of him but mainly because the birthday lady's mum die last xmas and I wouldn't want to undo her grief. Then I swaddled up my old salmon cockatoo as nocte protection, and went to bed.

I haven't introduced you guys to Rosey I bought her at an estate sale, I thought they were selling the cage because the price was too low for such a sweet birdie. I have had Rosey for 9 years and the bird vet thinks that she is 60yrs old. She natters quietly no words just sounds and she loves music specially classic music, to this she cocks her cockatoo head sideways. Her body language is key to having some understanding of her needs. I am gushing and if you guys have pets you know why, Rosey is always relieved to see me and she has my heart. Cheers M.

[velvetfaerie]

Salmon cockatoo... a Major Mitchell? I have a corella. I'm a bird nut. Well, animals in general but specifically always been fascinated by birds. I am glad Rosie has found a good human in you. I cannot stand mistreatment of animals, (and kids). Such pure souls.

My corella is currently nesting. She's laid an egg. She's a lot less social at the moment. I just shared breakfast with her as she was actually kind of social haha.

I believe in the ethereal. There is something. What it is I don't know. Life-force leaves energy even after the life has gone. It is super hard to explain myself here hahaha. Even the life force of ancestors is in our genes. Our predecessors are in our genes.

I need more coffee. Ahhaha. Brain fart.

[wail]

Good morning fellow tree huggers to Velvet and her pet Corella, I think my bird is a moluccan cockatoo, we have no egg. I agree with your open mindedness yes there is something... out there which we can not see or buy, something felt by open hearts. I am on your wave length on that for sure. Good day to your feathered friend

[Airies]

I had Eastern Rosellas, Cockatiels, Fischer Lovebirds and BlackMasks over the years .
Now I marvel at the antics of a pair of wrens who visit us daily. Natures best pest control. I try and garden organically.

ive started wearing a crucifix again. Not a fan of churches and so on but believe there’s something up there