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.
hi :) i am a 20yo and i've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder four years ago. my parents had a really tough time accepting that my mental health is not okay even though i had problems since i was 12. and they still don't accept that i have bd. they keep thinking that now soon i will reduce my meds and then get completly off them because they think i will be/am cured. i still have a lot of trouble with mood swings and anxiety and am far from normally functioning. now i should increase my meds but i don't know how to tell them. because my mom will get very worried and will cry and "monitor" me every day by calling me and asking how am i. that makes me feel really cramped. so i would like to ask you how should i tell them that i will increase my meds and that this disease is a chronic one and that it isn't like anxiety because of a hard time in life that stops after a few months or so.
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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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.
I understand what it's like to have parents who think taking medicine for a little while will just miraculously make you Better. I got diagnosed when I was your age.
However, I believed it Too, and went off my meds when I "felt better". Then proceeded to ruin my life.
You are being SO wise to understand this is a lifelong illness and that you have to Stay on the medication to Stay feeling better.
Keep being strong. This is a great board to talk about things.
I was dx'd at 30 after the death of my sister, depressed since a teen, and have had my treatments 'change when needed' either increased or reduced based on my medical/psy needs.
Your Mom/Dad will always worry...there is really nothing you can do about '''them''' what you do have in your control are "Choice/Responsibility" for yourself to live your healthiest life with medication protocol best for you and adjust when needed.
I'd also like to offer that there are many different methods you can put into your tool box, the one I'm thinking of is Not Medication, rather a life style that will help you in All areas of your life, DBT Dialectical Behavioral Therapy https://peerguideddbtlessons.weebly.com/uploads/8/2/0/9/82096548/intro_to_dbt.pdf this one is online, but if you can get into a therapy program that would be better because it's face to face and you get better feed back...it's a 12 week program.
My last hospital stay in 2010 I started this path and I use it every day in my life! The next choice would be self care, good sleep, plenty of water and healthy eating/exercise....all combined are Huge to your mental health. It's not a definite crippling disease, not easy for sure! but with a good support system, good medication you can live the life you want <3...and remember every time you fall down and get back up it's Not A Mistake...it's another tool in your tool box of what not to do, so the Mistake Is Really A Learning Lesson :)
Welcome to the board and Best Of Luck To You!!
It can be rough while adjusting to the diagnosis and finding stability but you will sweetie
Please hang onto that
My folks hated that I was bipolar and that bothered me for a time but I accepted that it was a treatable illness and the stigma pissed me off as time went on
If they want to know more about it there are some good books
An Unquiet Mind is one
We have a treatable disorder
If your mom gets weepy I would suggest that she educate herself
There's power in knowledge
If it's uncomfortable talking about it to them I would just let them know that you're working on stability with your medical professionals
Big hug .xo
I am in therapy now for three years and it helps a little but not much. And im trying a lot of diffrent ways to get my life better.
My parents have to know because i still live at home for the weekends because i study in a different city but still go home for the weekends because i want to see my friends. And when im there they see me take my meds and always ask me what i am taking and stuff like that. And they know i had an appointment with my psychiatrist this week and will ask me if i will go off any meds and i cant just lie directly to their face.
I would also let them know that the way that they're handling it is having a really negative effect on you.... That you'd really like to have their support
There's nothing wrong with saying to them that you'd like them to know that you're taking care of it with medical professionals and you shouldn't have to discuss more than you want to
I understand that you're young however there's nothing wrong with having boundaries... At a certain point it can be the healthy thing to do.... xo
I like to explain bipolar like diabetes. You have a chemical imbalance in your brain. You can reach stability with medication but that does not change the fact that you have an illness and need medications to maintain that stability. A diabetic doesn't stop taking insulin because they are stable. They continue to take nsulin because it is the REASON they are stable.