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 am an addict in recovery for my substance abuse disorder. I Went to a dual diagnosis treatment center and was diagmosed with Bipolar disorder and ADHD. I am 30 years old now. When i was about 27 I was mentioned being bipolar but i Did nothing about it . I was on a simple mood stabalizer for a few months. I guess I didnt take it seriously.
Then at treatment i was started on abilify. I have felt sooo much better since. Its amazing I have been able to even keep a job my entire life struggeling with this disorder.
I notice That when I am in my derpessive moods I dont even feel like opening my mouth to say HI. The depression that hits me makes me think suicidal thoughts... as if it were the only way out and nothing in the world will make my mood better. But once a few days pass of course ...I am surely back to normal .. I fear when these depressive episodes hit .. its like i live in a dark gloomy world. Im starting to learn my triggers a little bit and starting to recognize when an episode will be hitting. When i am manic though ... that I love ... THe energy and joy i feel is so over the top.. I feel guility i feel i prefer being manic than my normal self ... with no eposides.
Is this bad ? that I prefer being manic i mean .. I just feel like im on top of th world when i am and like nothing can set me back ...
I dont talk about my Bipolar much to anyone .. so i thoght it would be nice to join a support group for it.
I still havent learned what causes my episodes though. Like my trigegrs i Guess.. IS it certain things I think about in my head ... people I talk to .. ? The things I do and eat or the many or few hours I may sleep ? Ot it is just how being bipolar works? It happens all on its own. It just does.
I guess its where im a bit confused about it and would like to know if there is anytihg i can do to avoid my depressive episdoes.
I am excited to get to know some people here. any support would be helpful. thanks
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
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...and another day closer to Fall! Tra la la la la...Next month there is a Sasquatch Festival in my city! We're excited to go and get our picture taken with Bigfoot. Really!Have a great day, everyone -
If you have mania then depression is almost inevitable. It just eats up all your mental energy.
It's like if you splurge all your month's pay in a week - you have no money for food the next 3 weeks.
YES eats up all my mental energy is a perfect way to put it.... I feel so drained after the mania too.. its just all so confusing to me still .. I purchased a book called survival guide for Bipoalr Disorder the other day hoping i can learn more about it. So many things make sense now though.. My impassivity .. my rage episodes.. its nice to add more pieces to the puzzle. thank you for your respond
What I am saying is that you can't have mania without depression (unless you have the type of bipolar that only has mania and no depression which is classed as Bipolar NOS I think).
The only way to stop the depression is to use a mood stabilizer and that stops the mania also.
In most ways, mania is definitely preferable to depression. When I was first diagnosed, I wanted to find the right combination of meds to always stay in a state of hypomania, but that didn't work out too well... It can be very risky because hypomania can become full mania, and in my case, full mania leads to psychosis. Even without psychosis, mania can lead to many destructive outcomes.
Significant spending or saying something you really regret later are two examples.
Depression is treatable for many of us with a combination of medications, therapeutic techniques, and other solid coping mechanisms. Personally, I get depressed a lot less than I used to thanks to medications and using the right skills. Mind you, I still get depressed at times, but most of the time I can prevent it from getting severe by making the proper adjustments.
Important to document your moods, good, bad or down. keep a record, track it, and depending on pdoc advice on medications and therapy you should be able to cope, but with BP you never stop medications and let your guard down..Hugs..