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.
A while after I was dx'ed with PTSD at the VA (2K?), there was brief discussion of whether to declare my BP dx an official misdiagnosis. I had been receiving BP therapy for quite allot of years already and I was finding the tools I acquired under that therapy quite effective. I didn't see the point in worrying the official labels.
My father-in-law died on September 29th after a hard decline from hip surgery in August. It has been a long, hard run for the entire family. All of us are cycling like Tour de France contestants. There are allot of different dx'es in our family, without beginning to count the barely knowns from my own long estranged birth family. Each to his/her own cycle. . . On the whole, I am proud of us, both individually and as a family, but the stress cracks are showing, each to his/her own symptom list.
My own symptom list feels far more bi-polar than PTSD. I call my current state, "Fissuring." I am having problems finishing sentences, much less keeping up with my car keys. One minute I am optimistic, the next I am ready to give up on the human species -again- especially myself. Small criticisms feel like Retribution from the bearded white guy in the sky.
Sigh. . . Just when I get all the answers, the questions change. Plying therapy tools. . . Support needed. . .
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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 have yet to ever write a song in December. Is non-Christmas December creativity allowed in your part of the world? Maybe I am over-due for trying again? Still can't do Santa. . .
I actually like a diagnosis.... I know a lot of people mention labels now but I find with a diagnosis you can research signs and symptoms and have an idea what's going on
Another hug Arf and a blessing.... I hope you'll have some peace and rest soon.....xo
Thank you for the blessing and hope. Muchly needed and appreciated.
“What are your fundamental beliefs about human nature? Are we, at our essence, selfish and aggressive, or have you had personal experiences that contradict this view? How might your view of yourself change if you accepted the idea that your core Self is inherently good, wise, courageous, compassionate, joyful, and calm? Take a few minutes to imagine how your life would be different if you had more access to those qualities on a daily basis and trusted that this calm, joyful Self was your true identity. Think about what might change in relationships with key people in your personal life, in your work or school life, and in future choices you might make.”
-Richard Schwartz Phd
Grief itself is a long road with many peaks and valleys not unlike the terrain one travels with BP. Sometimes it's hard to tell them apart for sure...
Both require a lot of self care and self love in order to get to the flatter and more easy to negotiate places that aren't so exhausting to negotiate. Seems like time helps to close some of the wounds of grief but the first holiday season without our loved ones is bitter sweet indeed.
It appears that you do a lot of work on yourself to stay in the center lane on life's highway. Grief is extra work and maybe there are days when one can't do anymore....
Please take good care of my friend Arfie, let her sleep longer if she needs to, pack a snack, and take her outside and let nature provide some healing...