I try to connect and relate to one at a time but if I can't I imagine all three of us... me my core Self, my up and down side (BP) and my grief all sitting round a table in conference. Then I try and see what each needs at the moment that I can provide... caring, courage, always compassion for these hard working emotional parts of me that are trying to live with or resolve difficult issues. Your grief and your disease have different causes but sadness is a common trait so the down feelings of BP and your grief have that similarity... I think maybe making things a bit mixed up. Condolences for what you grieve.

Thank you, you are correct in that they have similar traits. I believe this is why I struggle so much to know when I am in grief, and supposed to be greiving, and when I am just consumed by the depression that comes with BP. I appreciate your kind words and a different way to table things.

Hi DG, haven't seen your name, please forgive me if I'm wrong, welcome to DS/BP group. I have a lot of emotions and they are all over the place, like Moobs wrote, I try to feel, and Not Rationalize what is going on in my head and body. Sometimes I can become overwhelmed, and become a bit hypo-manic...I know this happens to me, so I ask for help to keep me grounded. My thought is that All feelings and emotions are from our body, mind, and spirit...I try to care for all of them, one may need more help than another, it's a way to also keep me grounded as I process the emotional side of grief...sorry for your loss...take care, ml

Hi Deveres-Girl,

First of all welcome to DS this can be a great place to both give and get support.

So hard to track emotions isn't it? I like Moobs approach! I need to get quiet to feel what is happening ....sadness and depression are linked but not exactly the same. Sadness and grieving seem to require tears but slowly move on. However, depression comes in like a fog bank and refuses to go....it makes all thoughts cold and dark....

Curing each? Very hard.....loving yourself as you go through these doors? A must!

I don't really try to differentiate as I don't feel that I can.... I have lost most of my family in the last decade and hit the skids however I couldn't tell one from the other

I just realized that I needed help at a certain point..... Actually I ended up in the hospital .... I would see your doctor regularly during this time sweetie.... Certainly grief can trigger depression particularly when you have a disorder like ours..... Big hug for you and a blessing.....xo

Thank you for all of the hugs, warm welcomes and guidance. Life was hard before this now it is sometimes unbearable, but that is why i am reaching out to every resource that I can.

Hey DG... I'm sorry life has been hard for you in the past. Now sometimes unbearable is a concern so you are right to reach out for support. Most experienced therapists will teach and recommend some relaxation techniques at some time to help relieve pressure. The claim behind learning the following breathing technique from a neuroscience viewpoint is that it induces gamma brainwave activity on just two breathing cycles restoring some peace and calm to the system. There is a more professional meditation clip than this one but this teaches how to do it nice and calmly. Hope it helps. Take care.

Sacred G Breath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J9Y67qblXg

hi, I'm a widower and BP. I think you lost your husband.

After I lost my wife I experienced a psychotic break but it was a few months after. I think to a degree it's almost impossible to disentangle stuff other than being aware the direction bipolar is likely to take you in and then say "that's bipolar".

I'd make sure you monitor your bipolar as best you can and talk to a psychiatrist - but also be aware people do have major issues after loss of a spouse and that grief alone takes many well into the realms of what others would say is mental illness.

I don't even try to separate my grief from my illness. Well. . . I at least try to keep my compulsive analyzing in check. These days it strikes me as trying to separate a sneeze from a cold. Where, exactly, will the distinction be helpful?

I shoot to ^simply^ process the grief and its spin-offs. It be a complex weave.