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.
I believe I struggle with not only bipolar but anxiety as well.
I notice physical signs like sweaty palms, increased heart rate, shallow breathing or feeling like I cant breathe but most of my anxiety comes as obtrusive thoughts I cant get out of my head that then sometimes turn into the physical feelings depending on the intensity or the length of time I feel that way. Not necessarily racing thoughts though they can be, but mostly thoughts that I cant get out of my head. Rumination. And my feelings/worries are from actual problems (mostly guilt and possible retribution) and not imagined or far fetched ones.
Is this anxiety? Anxiety attacks? Panic attacks? Or just a normal reaction to stressful situations? If its normal its definitely crossed into the realm of interfering with my quality of life so therefore not normal? My pdoc screens me for anxiety symptoms before each visit and knows theres issues there but every time I mention it being an issue they don't seem to take it seriously. How do you make them understand it needs addressed, how did you describe it? Maybe I'm not describing it accurately.
If you're also suffering from anxiety along with your bipolar what meds are you on? What helps?? I'd like to steer clear of benzos unless they aren't as habit forming as they seem...
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I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
I would check and see if they can be a side effect of any of your medication
Yoga or Mindfulness classes could really help with this..... Gentle hug....xo
Not to get justy with the symptom, whatever the cause. Anxiety sucks. Do you have any psychotherapy tools you use to counter it? I'm another fan of Mindfulness as well as breathing and grounding exercises.
I'm reading into and really liking the idea of meditation and mindfulness although I'm still in enough of a funk to doubt I'll be good at it or that it will help.
Unfortunately I don't see a therapist because of the out of pocket cost.
My personal belief, based on my own experience, is that the "anxiety" and aggitation I experienced wasn't actually a seperate issue - it was part of my bipolar.
My feeling was that this was actually an aspect of dysphoria / mixed state.
So personally I treat my anxiety with quietapine having found that traditional anti-anxiety meds didn't help me.
But i do agree, it all could just be symptoms of bipolar itself and the pdoc says i definitely have mixed states often. I think my darkest most intense depression was a mixed state also. They're currently trying to control my mixed states with oxcarbazepine, trileptal.
It changed with some psychosis it wasn't really extreme however I did hear voices and I saw shadow people..... I was aware that this wasn't real so I never had a complete psychotic break