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.

8,884 Members
129,554 Posts
0 Online
Mental Health
/ Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Extreme enthusiasm then nothing

scalliwag
scalliwag
Hi Everyone:) I have a question about enthusiasm and motivation with bipolar. It seems my enthusiam for anything is only ever short lived but when its there for something, its FULL ON. For example I went to a careers expo and after talking with the guy I decided the most fantastic idea in the world would be for me to be a social worker. I was totally obssessed witht the idea and immediately got out books on sociology, researched articles on welfare etc..... I told everyone thats what I was going to do and it would solve the problems of the world. One month down the track, Im over it,
Then I decided to move into a shared house situation. I said yes to the first place I found and looked at. To me it was PERFECT! I would be extremely happy there and wanted to move in straight away. 2 months later as the moving date got closer- I had a major panic about it and pulled out utterly convinced it was the worst idea ever.
All of my relationships have been on again off again, I always seem to change my mind as to wheather I like the person or not. Is it that I just havnt met the right one or is that bipolar?
Is this how others experience Bipolar? It seems to me that the mood swings arnt so much about feelsings (now that Im stable and medicated) , but rather thoughts.
tommymott
tommymott
That's not necessarily BP though it can be frustrating except in cases where it keeps us from making a terrible mistake. What you're describing may be more related to the Anxiety Disorders like OCD. It's something you can work on, particularly in therapy but often that's just the way we are.
scalliwag
scalliwag
Yeah your probably right. I have been diagnosed with GAD maybe thats it. I guess I just want to know why I am like this because it affects me daily
tommymott
tommymott
Are you getting treatment for the GAD?
aprilraven
aprilraven
Whatever it is due to, I experience it too. It does seem tied to anxiety somewhat.
sepi
sepi
Stina, I am the same way, I change my mind frequently and it's very hard for me to commit to being anywhere at a given time because I may change my mind when the time comes to show up. I also loose interest. I often thought it's my depression, but I guess it could be from bp too. I read in a book about bipolar, that bipolar people often have difficulty following through with a decision they make.... I'm currently not in therapy (can't afford it right now) but years of therapy hasn't "fixed" this in me. But at least I know how not to make hasty decisions now more than before.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Do you have any idea how much money I have spent on things like that? I was going to be a Pharmacy Tech, was all gung ho about it, paid $800 for an online course. Did 2 chapters then lost interest. Never cracked the book again. Bought all kinds of stuff cause I was gonna learn how to knit. lost interest before I even started. etc, etc, etc.......
CarlaBent
CarlaBent
That's what I was like before being diagnosed and treated. Now I don't even get the enthusiasm. I blame the meds!!!
shadowsteve0421
shadowsteve0421
I tend to be the same way about projects. I think BP might be the root cause by giving us that manic rush of wanting to try something. But after years and years of developing certain behavioral patterns such as starting and then quiting it tends to become engrained in our minds as the norm.
deleted_user
deleted_user
oh my! I'm the same damn way. Never satisfied and loose interest or give up. This is why it's hard to make goals or keep jobs, or stay in relationships. Can you imagine being married and never feeling like you can get out because you know it will probably be the same with anyone, even though you hope that it could be.

Decisions... I hate making decisions because I'm never satisfied with the decision I make. Always thinking what if I had done this or that instead. This started as a child with me. Couldn't even decide at times on a candy bar for fear of missing out on the other one. So I would leave the store without anything.

I do think it's part of being bipolar (OCD and anxiety are all tied to this disorder) because my father and brother were the same way. I would have left my husband after 2 years if I had not gotten pregnant. The only thing that kept me in the marriage is that he is not abusive and is a good provider. But no, I have to have all or nothing. What a horrible way to live one's life.

By the way, what is GAD... I'm sure I have that too!
shadowsteve0421
shadowsteve0421
GAD = Generalized Anxiety Disorder
scalliwag
scalliwag
OMG it seems to be really common hey. The only treatment Im getting atm for the GAD is my zoloft and I tak Xanax if I really need it-(when I get too worked up about something and cant sleep).
With relationships before I was diagnosed with BP I was a shocker one night I went to my girlfriends place to pick her up to go to the movies and between getting out of the car and getting to the top of the stairs I had changed my mind and decided to split up with her. She was devistated but I was absolutely sure while I was doing it that it was the absolute right decision. both of my serious relationships were on again off again because I kept breaking up then wanting to get back together. I always hope I will settle with swomeone so I can have what everyone else has but I dont know if I can.