Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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offbalance 12/02/2010

I would just like to take these few moments tonight and say that I'm praying, hoping, and truly believing. Praying that everyone has what they need: a friend, love, a place to rely on. Hoping that today you had the victory of survivng the enemy we call bipolar. And truly believing that tomorrow will be better if we keep on fighting.

This day (december 1st) 6 years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar. And now thinking back on that day, seeing myself sitting at the table with a caseworker while the psychiatrist uttered the words that changed my life, I'm feeling the pain all over again as I write this.

For those of you who have recently been diagnosed I say keep on seeking treatment and don't ever give up. Always remember what you live for, and yes, you do live for something.

For those who have lived with bipolar for many years, I say thank you for being here and for being one of my supporters.

Love you all -offbalance-

freeheeler 12/02/2010

Hey Balance, how are you doing nowadays with the diagnosis? For me it was so liberating. I mean it explained so much, and it gave me something to learn about and work to fight. My diagnosis was one of the best days of my life. Another was finding this place. Before I found DS, I felt so alone with my mood swings. I didn't know that other people dealt with them. I didn't know that, at least in one group of people, at least here, I am normal.

deleted_user 12/02/2010

Ditto to that Free.

deleted_user 12/02/2010

That's such a lovely post. I got dx about that time too, no, closer to 8 years ago. I had gotten sober 10 AA 3 years before that and it took that 3 years of suicidality and complete confusion (because I WAS doing well in the AA program and have never drunk again in 11 years), as to WHY I was suicidal when everythijng in my life was actually moving forward on the outside. It is actually a wonderful thing to receive a correct dx for Bipolar, as well as the other mental illnesses many of us have. I read somewhere that it takes roughly 8 years AFTER starting to see a psychiatrist for people to get a correct dx of Bipolar and there are STILL, with modern psychiatry, many people who NEVER get a correct dx their whole lives, obviously limiting the potential for trying for the right meds and the appropriate psychotherapy.

It's a shitty hand of cards to be dealt, but I'd rather know what my hand of cards actually is to get a chance to play them!! lol

deleted_user 12/02/2010

thank you for your words of encouragement.

I was diagnosed just one year ago. It has been a long road to acceptance.

I'm glad in the long run that the diagnosis enabled me to undergo treatment.

I think there are tons of people who never receive a diagnosis and as a result don't get the help that they need.

best, BV

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