Hello, new to this forum..... not new to depression, anxiety and Bipolar 2

[Kirea]

I have lived with the above for over 10 years...... survived at times, but lived most of the time.....

[white knight]

Hi Korea, welcomeI've got depression, bipolar, dysthymia (low mood constant depression) and light anxiety having lowered my severe anxiety over many years.Moods play a large part of the negative symptoms of this "cocktail" of mental illness. Hence in my case mood stabilisers help a lot Also a small amount if antidepressants help but too much can make us manic.dosage is critical. Find the ideal dosage and life is good. But the moods can be taxing on ones partner and friends. My wife calls me "snappy Tom".But are you aware of any positives of your illness? Mine is poetry and inventions. Many entertainers have bipolar...google famous people with bipolar. In fact without ADHD and bipolar we might not have discovered the world.So, it isn't all bad. And its part of you. Stephen Fry once said he couldn't live without his bipolar because " my bipolar is me"Tony WK

[Kazzl]

Hello Kirea, welcome to the forums from another bipolar bear. It's good to have you here. I'd like to know a little more about you, only as much as you want to share of course.

Living with bipolar and depression and anxiety can be a day by day battle eh? Incessant. How have you been managing? I'm still learning (diagnosed bipolar earlier this year after 15 years treatment for clinical depression). I hope you feel comfortable in telling us more.

We have a few members who have posted about bipolar - have a good look around the boards, especially the Depression board. I started a thread called This bipolar life for anyone with bipolar to post in, so feel free to join in if you want, and of course keep posting here.

I hope today is a good one for you.

Kaz

[Doolhof]

Hi Kirea,

Welcome to the community here at Beyond Blue. I see you have already been welcomed by a couple of wonderful, caring people.

If you look through some of the threads here, you will find many people with similar or the same mental health diagnosis as yourself.

There are also some fun threads in the Social Zone section. You might like to check some of those out. Some days I go to those threads first for a bit of a happy chat with people .

Once again, welcome to you.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Kirea]

Hello Kazzl,

Well me, I am a cat lover.... a peace lover, a space and solitude lover.... for me the best day is to sit in my chair with one or two cats on my lap, reading a book, in silence, well except for the purring.

I was diagnosed with depression after a hysterectomy at 38, (no counseling or anything) (13 years ago) when a very good friend of mine suggested i might like to check out some "do you have depression" links. Not sure when the bipolar 2 came into the picture.......

I am about to embark on a one year overseas nearly volunteer assignment (minimal wage) in Cambodia and see this as a turning point.

I live, i don't just survive..... life is good

[Kirea]

Agree White Knight..... the trick is to accept and embrace it, rather than letting it rule you.

As for positives............. writing....... even at work, I can wordsmith better than any of my colleagues, the brain goes at a million miles an hour, and out pops the appropriate phrase, or word, or whatever.

I am going to need my translation and patience skills, and learn some Buddhist practices soon.... I am going to work in Cambodia for a year. V excited about that. A little anxious, but I figure that is normal..... going O/S to a country that you have never been to, for a year, by yourself......

It is all good.

K

[Kirea]

Me again Kazzl,

I am doing really well, i need to stop and draw breath when things become really stressful, but i know me and I know my body and soul..... Will be working on my yoga and thy chi while in Cambodia. I hold no illusions about how difficult it will be at times, but also, this is the chance of a lifetime, and my spirit and soul are up for the challenge. As i said, life is good.

[Doolhof]

Hi Kirea,

Heading to Cambodia for a year to do volunteer work sounds amazing.

[Kazzl]

Hi Kirea - wow! That sounds incredible. What an amazing experience that will be for you. What will you be doing there?

I'm glad to hear you're going well and you sound like you know yourself and your moods well. You're one very together lady.

You don't really need my advice, but I'm everyone's mum (even though we're close in age haha) so I need to say - make sure you register with Smart Traveller and know where the Australian Embassy is and how to contact them in case of emergency. I tell my daughters that any time they travel. And they roll their eyes and say 'yeeeesss Mum'. But they do it. 😄

And, if I may say to a fellow bipolar ... have a safety plan and find out how to get help if you need it - whether through the organisation you're volunteering with or local services. If you're on medication make doubly sure you can get it where you're going.

OK, gratuitous mum lecture over.

I can imagine how excited you must be, and a bit scared and anxious too. When do you leave?

Cheers

Kaz