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.
I've never had such drastic flips in my mood before... It's so frustrating and so hard to control and manage... I've noticed mood flips before, in the past, but they've never been that bad and easily manageable... except for when i'm stressed.. which low and behold, the past couple months have been CONSTANT stress... I'm having trouble controlling the bipolar mood flips... I go from being happy, i'm smiling, laughing... to damn near bawling my eyes out and wanting more than anything to crack open the whiskey, or fireball and just down it... just drink... These past couple months I have gone through some of the worst depression I have ever faced.. and I can see now that it's largely because of the bipolar disorder... but that doesn't make it any easier.... my sister is currently in a mental institution being treated for bipolar 1 disorder/major depression.. she had a severe manic episode... and it was really the last thing i could handle on top of everything else... It's just so frustrating trying to manage these mood flips.. I'm trying to deal with so much else going on, and I have to be careful how i interact with people because if i start getting depressed I sometimes get a bit snappy... and I don't want that... I just need the stressors in my life to go away so i can go back to managing the disorder without any issues....
It's terrible..i hate it. Are you on any kind of drug therapy? I have been off meds (due to healthplan changes) and i noticed a huge difference when i was on them..now that i am back on i am asking everyone around me not to call the nuthouse on me till im stable. I did really well with therapy too..helping me with tools to use to handle the stress..but since ive been off my meds those tools have not helped.
Let people around you know that you are not always in control of your emotions, and that things will get better. Stay strong..booze will just make you feel worse later, and if you need to vent just send me a note..im a great listener . Take care.
I've not been on my proper medication for over two and a half months. I take klonapin and two benadryl every night to sleep.
1. If you can, do each task as best you can. If someone gets angry because there was a situation beyond your control, don't get upset because the problem is theirs.
2. Take baby steps. For example, take cleaning. IF all you can do right now is keep the dishes soaking and paper off the floor then that's all you can do at the house. You can also hire a maid or when you feel better do a more thorough cleaning. This is what I do.
3. You can find another living space. For example, if your space is too big, then you can get a smaller space.
4. Accept shortcomings.
Example:
I have problems washing dishes properly. I don't pay attention. My family knows to rinse every bowl with hot water and then rinse with cold. They don't sweat it.
I have a math disability. A man came in and ordered maps and then more maps. I counted them over again. When he wanted cities, I asked how many and said those back to him-repeated them.
5. IF you get in legal trouble, take it slowly. Work with insurance companies about wrecks. Don't panic when served.Sometimes being served papers is a scare tactic. Be responsible and pay the debt but don't sweat it. Don't take mean collectors personally.
6. Make lists and simple goals.
7. Try Christianity in tandem with Eastern Philosophy and DBT. Recovery Inc. is also another great source.
You can overcome a crisis, but you have to believe in YOU.