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.
When does bipolar fade in the background?
Last three years, my mental health has infused every aspect of my life. If anyone asked me what was I doing lately, I would have nothing else to talk about. I was coming to terms with the implications of my diagnosis. I read many books on bipolar. Some were great intellectual experiences (mainly various Kay Jamison's books). In my free time, I track what my various pills are doing to me. When I care for my daughter, I try not to get angry or yell, and that's where my energy goes. Because BP is so exhausting, I can't plan trips, playdates, I don't go to the park with her, etc. I am sad that my husband has taken over so much of her care, but I can't explain that without invoking bipolar. Even work is affected, and I would NEVER admit to others that I am not doing well there. So, I can really only talk to close friends, because every day, BP will come up in some shape or form.
So... since drug juggling takes year... episodes happen... insomnia comes and goes... we learn as we go... every day... after the initial diagnosis... when is BP no longer the central focus? I have asthma, and I don't even notice it most of the time. I never talk about it. Wouldn't it be nice to say that of BP?
Specifically, does it only happen after you've found the right meds and are stable? Or has someone, anyone, continued the juggling of BP management, with the life actually moving forward?
This reminds me of the beautiful movie "50 first dates", not at all the romantic comedy it was marketed as. I recommend it.
Last three years, my mental health has infused every aspect of my life. If anyone asked me what was I doing lately, I would have nothing else to talk about. I was coming to terms with the implications of my diagnosis. I read many books on bipolar. Some were great intellectual experiences (mainly various Kay Jamison's books). In my free time, I track what my various pills are doing to me. When I care for my daughter, I try not to get angry or yell, and that's where my energy goes. Because BP is so exhausting, I can't plan trips, playdates, I don't go to the park with her, etc. I am sad that my husband has taken over so much of her care, but I can't explain that without invoking bipolar. Even work is affected, and I would NEVER admit to others that I am not doing well there. So, I can really only talk to close friends, because every day, BP will come up in some shape or form.
So... since drug juggling takes year... episodes happen... insomnia comes and goes... we learn as we go... every day... after the initial diagnosis... when is BP no longer the central focus? I have asthma, and I don't even notice it most of the time. I never talk about it. Wouldn't it be nice to say that of BP?
Specifically, does it only happen after you've found the right meds and are stable? Or has someone, anyone, continued the juggling of BP management, with the life actually moving forward?
This reminds me of the beautiful movie "50 first dates", not at all the romantic comedy it was marketed as. I recommend it.
Yeah ... I know, none of that means squat when you're on the down stroke. But remember it for when you're not, and things don't seem so bad. I notice a lot of us on here get so desperately down on ourselves at times. I think if we keep reminding each other what we're like when we're not in the trench, we can serve each other mutually very well.
I'm asking about being able to have other interests and events in life. I'm thinking about calling an aunt, and she asks "so what have you been up to this year" and you don't say "I've spent the winter test-driving atypical anti-psychotics". Instead you say "we had guests over in May, and I joined a book club, and I got really interested in the Latin American writers of the 20th century, and we went camping and taught our daughter to fish, and now we're reading all these fish books with her", and you really mean it. Eh...
It felt good to realize that yeah, I hadn't been up to much beyond just the "norm" for me.
I think maybe it takes a while of just being in the groove of bipolar and keeping a sense of humor about it while dealing with its enormity. It took me about four years before I could just look beyond all that I do with bipolar and focus on the rest of my life. To honestly be able to say "not much" and mean it, because bipolar had just been the same ol same ol. Hope that made sense :)
Maybe it fades into the background when you get more used to the idea and you know what to do to keep it from interfering with your life, at least minimal interference, hopefully.