I hope that you have a good appt L

A lot of people struggle with SAD, seasonal affective disorder and many of us dip at this time of year including me

It's great that you've started to work with a counselor ….. Meds are the first place that as bipolar we need to start however there are other tools that can help a great deal and a therapist can help a lot

Other things such as journaling, exercise. gratitude, mindfulness or regular meditation, faith etc..... a lot of things can help along with the right med combo.....xo

This time of year sucks all around. I hope you can find a good med combo. It’s great too that you are seeing a counselor. Sure helps me a lot

I love this time of year, Fall, winter not so much. Meds are the first defense in managing BiPolar Symptoms but honesty with your Pdoc and Therapy are very important parts of management as well. Learning coping skills to help you manage the symptoms, when the meds don't take care of everything can make a big difference.

Its a balancing act of many different things and it takes a certain amount of dedication and discipline.

Hope your appointment was a good one.

Sounds like a good plan to tell the psychiatrist exactly what you posted here – always a good idea to share the truth with them I think. Great that you're going to be working with a counselor and I myself may, if I’m lucky, have one to talk to myself in the near future.

I need all the help I can get at this point in time as my bipolar illness has been escalating recently. Thank God I don't have to feel afraid though like I have in the past, because now I have this fantastic site which offers me the opportunity to be accountable, plus I have a visit next week with the psychiatrist to discuss the meds situation and as I said the possibility of counseling.

Thanks, you guys! Best of luck to all of you. I’m so glad some of you are finding help with meds and counseling because it is a ‘balancing act’. My doctor decided to not change my meds but advised me to eat better and take vit D. Still has yet to be seen, but I have a good feeling about it. Love you!

You sound really positive, lazarus. I hope the change of diet & vitamin help contribute to a happier you!

Thanks so much! I think diet, etc. gets overlooked, sometimes. I’ve always been relatively physically healthy, but I’ve heard there’s ways you can tailor it specially for bipolar which is cool. Thanks a lot!!

Be honest with pdoc. Sometimes if meds aren’t working alone you may benefit from changes in lifestyle. I hate med changes too. I know when I start getting depressed I need to spend more time doing things I love like being with my family and not isolating.

Thanks! That’s good. To be honest, I’m actually pretty lonely. I have a job and a few friends, but I still feel isolated even when I’m around people. My doctor took me down on one of my medications by 0.5, and I’ve been feeling pretty down, ever since. I know I’m not thinking realistically, right now. I just need to get through this hump of depression and things should go better. Thanks!