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.

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How do you accept the diagnosis?

charmingdisaster
charmingdisaster

I was diagnosed bipolar NOS about 6 years ago. I had been on abou 7 meds at one time that was wrecking my body, namely my liver. There was never a point where I felt the meds were working. I would get just as angry, irritable etc as before. I had lost my insurance and weaned off the meds 2 years ago. The insurance I got after doesn't cover much or I still end up paying more than I can afford. I'd been doing alright and more or less stable which led me think I maybe wasn't bipolar. That and a questionable second opinion saying it was PTSD.


However, I've had some upsetting things happen and I seem to be having a hard time reining myself in. Sometimes I don't see the cycles. Or they have been subtle and no one including me see them. My depression became noticeable because I wouldn't get out of bed for days. Now I seem to be on a steep upswing and having issues with sleep and being impulsive. I have good control but I feel it creeping in. Has anyone else noticed that sometimes you have to look over a huge period of time to see your cycles? What got you to see and accept your diagnosis? Thank you!

Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
My severe depression got me to realize that it was more than major depressive disorder as I was first diagnosed. When the meds I was in, combined with therapy, started working and I began feeling happy again, that's when I knew I was not only I'll, but I was surviving this illness. I relapsed again in April and am building myself back up. Are you able to seek government assistance to help pay for your meds? Reach out and see what kind of help you can get. Xoxoxoxxo
beckyp
beckyp
When I was finally diagnosed I was relieved because I was so sick. I really thought I would lose my mind someday and be a vegetable. It took years for me to find the right meds and get stable. I did a lot of reading on the subject of BP, and did a lot of therapy. Being in the hospital 4 times in one year and then intense outpatient therapy twice helped me accept my diagnosis for good. Sometimes when you are feeling good you tend to question whether you are really sick or not. Hope you can get the help you need.
charmingdisaster
charmingdisaster
Thank you!! I will look into any assistance I can get. I can't afford 30-50 bucks each visit then meds. Plus everywhere nearby isn't accepting patients. I do agree that it's when you are stable is when you question it. I'm going to try to hang in there.
Sworddancer68
Sworddancer68
When I was diagnosed I didn't want to hear it. It took a psychotic episode for me to start listening. After that I was still hesitant and had to go through all my journals to see that my highs were in the winter and lows were in the summer. I had never made the connection before reading my journals. I never wrote during the winters because I was VERY busy. Spring and summer I got busy writing about suicidal thoughts, depression, etc. It took years of meds/combinations for me to get stable. I hope you can accept your diagnosis and comply with medications so that you can reach stability too. Good luck.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Big hug for you CD... There are a lot of overlapping symptoms between BP and PTSD.... BP is cyclical though and not caused from trauma....

I had no problem at all accepting the diagnosis as I hadn't been well for quite some time and it actually came as a relief... I could see a cause and stability in the future

You may have concurrent illnesses?? if you've also suffered from trauma...
I agree with educating yourself.... I found that it helped a lot and there's not always a clear trigger...
I use that if something goes on for more then a couple of weeks and seems to be getting worse it's time to see the doctor and a med tweak may be in order

Sometimes it's just life, or a trigger, something everyone has to go through from time to time... Big hug for you and a blessing...xo
songstress1
songstress1
You can accept the diagnosis, by believing that your health condition has nothing to do with your worth as a person, your talents, intelligence, or abilities! It may some time to gain acceptance, but after time hopefully you will realize that you are not alone -- millions of people around the world share this medical condition, and that there's nothing at all to be ashamed of because of having it. Many talented celebrities have this condition - Catherine Zeta-Jones, Demi Lovato, Chris Brown, to name a few. Professor Nash, who made significant contributions in his line of work, as well as Amanda Bynes, also are people who have coped with these challenges. They're not a reflection of who you are; rather, they are obstacles which you're dealing with.
Susieq
Susieq
I saw too many psychiatrist and many did say bipolar but two said off. However. What baffled them was I was hearing voices in my head 24/7 for a couple years. Usually you get voices when you are manic. I think I am bipolar but mostly on the depressed side. I haven't been hypo in a long time. It hit me hard because I wanted to have a child. But I can't go off the meds or I won't be able to tell what reality is. Also I don't want my child to have it. On a positive note we Found a right and voices are gone.
Susieq
Susieq
I meant to say two docs thought I was OCD
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