Sending hugs bywena!!

You're doing the right thing by keeping busy. It tends to take your mind off the negative things and redirect to your mind to something more positive. But we all need support in something we are facing. Just stop for a minute and just breathe.

What has helped me was getting out the house just for a while to see something beautiful!

I can't promise it will change how you feel but at least you'll know that beauty still exist in the world and maybe it might just bring you a little sense of happiness.

Huge hug by.... If you are unable to eat sweetie or sleep I would go to emerg..... This has been going on for a while now and this isn't okay .... At the very least I would see your doctor..... Another hug....xo

We all get down sometimes. Some more than others. You need to realize that this too shall pass, even if it feels like it will never end. Right now I'm trying to keep so busy so I don't have to think much about all my stress, hurt, and worries. I'm not eating much either right now because I just don't have the appetite when I'm so stressed. I find myself forgetting to eat sometimes, but when I remember that I should eat, I pretty much force myself to eat good even though I don't enjoy the taste of food right now. But I know this will pass soon. So I feel you when you say you are just surviving. We all need nourishment, plenty of water, sleep, relaxation, positive thoughts, some exercise (even if it is taking a little walk) and enjoying things we like (like in your case art, which I would love to get back into but haven't for years, so I give you credit for doing something you enjoy.) We all struggle sometimes and find it hard to do the things our mind/body/soul needs, but these things definitely help with our mental health in more ways than we think. Try surrounding yourself with positive people and things that bring you joy, in addition to your artwork. Have you been checked for a vitamin D deficiency? It can cause depression, insomnia, and loss of appetite. You can search about it. I seemed to have severe depression for years mainly around the winter months, I guess when I didn't get much sun (true source of vitamin D). Then as I got older and started going to the doctor for blood work I found out that I had an extreme vitamin D deficiency (which my sister also has). Now after I've been taking the vitamin for a few years, I haven't had major depression since. I still have occasional mania, but I don't seem to have depression anymore. Not sure if taking the vitamin is the reason, but I'm able to enjoy the winter months again. Maybe you could try getting a little sun sometimes, even if means just sitting outside for a bit or going for a walk. I think you may have inspired me to start doing some artwork. Thank you. You know we all need support. Hope you find your joy.

Hey guys feeling so much better NP changed lamictal but lowered it too much so have to talk to her again hypomania should set in soon feeling better each day have support from NP and walking each day just walked to store and went aground the grounds twice better days coming

RayofSunshine this is the Bipolar Board

Hi bywena, I'm glad to hear you are feeling much better. Keep it up.

Hi SunCloudJD. Not sure if you read my post, but you must have since you are mentioning me. I thought that this is the Bipolar Board, like you said, since I mentioned in my post that "I still have occasion mania, but I don't seem to have depression anymore." So I am confused as to your comment. I have been on a mood stabilizer for years that helps with the mania, but since I started taking 2000 IU vitamin D3 for my deficiency, my bipolar depression seems to have drastically improved. Since you have experience in this field, you probably realized because of the length of my spiel that I'm not just stressed or anxious, I could possibly be having some mania. I hope that I'm welcome here.

You are welcome here for sure ROS..... Sorry if I came across as abrupt..... We get people seeing a post sometimes in the newsfeed and want to help but sometimes their help can cause more hurt unintentionally as they confused depressed or feeling low for a moment with depression

I thought what you wrote came across that way to me.... I apologize my bad

You are most welcome.... This is a good board with some great people.... xo

God bless