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

[autumntree]

Hi Everyone,

I've recently been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder type 2. It's taken me a while to come to terms with it. I've done a lot of research and the statistics don't exactly inspire hope haha. Is there any chance anyone could share a positive story? Like does the medication work? Is this disorder possible to live with?

Thank you,

Autumn Tree

[Lisa611]

Quirky she is disappointed. She is 22 and wants to live in the inner city. All of her friends live around that area. I think she sees coming back home as a step backwards. She is looking at shared accommodation but has to find somewhere pet friendly as she has a dog. She thinks the other place fell through because of her MH issues. She's a full time uni student who works as a swimming instructor. She's also picked up one day a week as an environmental consultant which is good as that's what she is studying. She is a complex character. She sees a psych and is not on meds. She has learnt strategies to help her. She was diagnosed with BPD and suffers from depression.

Anna - I hope things have settled down a little and that your meds are getting sorted

[Lisa611]

Hi Autumn Tree I have bipolar 1. I am on a mood stabiliser and AD. The meds do work to keep me stable. When I have been really sick I have also taken an AP but that's only been once. There are many people who live with bipolar that have productive and happy lives. I see a psych regularly who monitors my meds. I think recognising your illness and knowing your symptoms when you are having an episode and getting the help you need helps you to manage the condition. I'm sure the others will chime in to let you know their experience.

[Airies]

Asdff, sending you hugs back. My son had some friends over which was a good distraction for him in the last hour. His wife was ok and I kept on glancing at my watch as I had to pick my other son up from the station. Anyway he opened the door for me I looked up and he was crying, i bawled my eyes out, even typing here I’m tearing up. His Uber ran late so we had another goodbye. I’ve been so numb with my meds but so glad I had a little sook. I’m so proud of my boys

[Lisa611]

Airies am glad you were able to show your emotions and not be numb. It must of been difficult giving him the last hug good bye. It must of been hard for his wife as well. Has he lived over there long?

[quirkywords]

Hi Autumntree,

welcome to this thread.

It can be hard when first diagnosed to find a balance between being unrealistic and facing some possible problems.

I am so old I was diagnosed with manic depression and so don’t know if I am bipolar 1 or 2.

This my story. I have been stable for 30 years , I brought up 3 chi,Daren. I went back as a mature student to train as a teacher, taught special needs children, run a motel, ran my own shop for many years, been a volunteer on BB for a few years .

I still have ad days but I can live my life while helping others.

At first getting a diagnosis can be overwhelming. At least now there is more information and awareness compared to the mid 1970s where there was much stigma and very little information.

Please free to post whenever you like and ask as many questions as you like.

[velvetfaerie]

Hi dudes. I've been reading but not commenting as been feeling rough. Vaccine response. More of a response than reaction. Not a very common reaction but not adverse.

Hugs and well wishing thoughts to all reading this.

V.

[quirkywords]

Hi friendly folk

Velvet that does not sound good. I hope you will feel better soon. is there anything can help?

[velvetfaerie]

And then I copped food poisoning over night ahhaha. Double whammy!!!!

Ah ...... how unlucky... my weekend sacked so far.

Thanks quirky. Even man thing can't help. Thank you though.

[quirkywords]

food poisoning, wow that is the daily double!

Hope things improve, will have Monday off if you still unwell.

Did anyone else get the food posioning?