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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New! & who what when where why??

Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4

Helko, im new here, for about a week or two ive been a member. I am diagnosed bipolar 1 for about 3 years now. I was diagnosed at age 23. I was wrongfully diagnosed as depression first as many of us were. My question for everyone is what has brought on your guyes diagnosis? What was your breaking point, if you guys dont mind sharing? I guess, all in all, what is YOUR guys story if you want to share?


Like stated before, i was always "depressed" so i got help and my doc put me on a antidepressant, which then skyrocketed my into oblivion. I spend thousands of dollars on my credit cards on who knows what as i was shoplifting like crazy to. Till i got arrested, did some hard time (2 WHOLE hours) and was actin a dam fool. Then i went back to my doc explained what happened, got shipped off to the psych ward and was diagnosed and that is what my life has been since. A lot of research and reading on it, and it has explained a lot about who i am and was. I mean i did everything from eating disorder, self harm, reckless sex(with boys and girls) drugs, impulsive deicsions, self medicating, i mean absolutely close to everything. 


So, if you feel comfrotable, please share with me what has brought u to where you are today.

beckyp
beckyp
I was diagnosed with depression also for many years. One day during therapy, I mentioned my racing thoughts and how crazy they made me feel. My therapist said I might have bipolar and sent me to a psychiatrist(pdoc). He diagnosed me with bipolar and we started the long, long process of trying to find the right meds for me. My story goes on and on, but I can say I was very relieved to finally find out what was wrong with me. I just thought I was a crazy person and that one day I was going to totally lose it and end up in a psych hospital for the rest of my life, or kill myself. After many years of therapy and trying different meds, I am finally stable and on a great cocktail of meds.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I've been here since about 2007-2008... I can't remember which..... I was initially diagnosed with anxiety and depression and those were the symptoms I was presenting with at that time

When I was in my mid 30's I had a period where I didn't sleep for days.... was extremely paranoid and heard auditory hallucinations and saw shadow people

I would get really 'wound' up as well with anger and distress that was a mixed state

I am pretty stable now.... Sometimes life events effect it otherwise I'm pretty good
mlr0853
mlr0853
36 years for me, the death of my sister in 1984 sent me after days with no sleep into psychosis...yes, the Big Spending happened to me...paying off my 2012 manic spend of over 12,000...credit cards and cash...Had To Have A Hybrid Car!
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
Thanks for sharing guys
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
Idk y my whole message deleted. A hybrid car...thats funny but i cam see where thatd be detrimental to the bank account. What are some other symptoms you experienced or still do experience. I obsess over things and go to the extreme. Like if i like tie dye. I buy a ton of tiedye stuff. If i like icecream like sourpatch, (my current obsession) i buy it and eat it everyday. Is this kust lack of self control lol???
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
And i have weird little habits such as scratching picking or humming. Is this just from when i quit my meds and will chill since i began taking them again? Thought questions AND opinions im open to
Thor2008
Thor2008
What brought me to this point. I had bipolar all the time but I was able to hide it with work or sports. Then I entered the military, and that kept the bipolar "hidden" for about 30 years. I thought that everyone had these "cycles" about six times a year - fantastic energy, not sleeping for six days, writing multiple emails at the same time, not eating. Then I would get depressed and contemplate suicide during each cycle. In the military, it is easy to do this. Then my heart broke (heart disease), and that stopped my career and all sports. There was nothing to cover my bipolar. I was first diagnosed with severe depression, and it wasn't until after my attempt and second hospitalization that I got the right diagnosis. I spent four weeks inside, and it did help a lot. I got to this by being completely and utterly broken. I am still broken today, and I am trying to get well.
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
I am to thor2008. I even got my psych app today hoping that leads to new meds and possible the right med mix that makes everything A OKAY. Im hopeful, but then again doubtful. But isnt that the point. Lol im kidding. But forreal, sometimes i feel like a living contradiction.
Jenniferswe
Jenniferswe
Hi. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 when I had a huge nervous breakdown. I was crying all the time and couldn't sleep. I was suffering from a lot of anxiety. I went to a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner recommended by my son's pediatrician.
She shocked by how many losses I'd been through in recent years. Those were 2 job losses, a divorce, car accident and a devastating family conflict with my brother and sister-in-law. Also, my son has Asperger's so he was very difficult to deal with as a kid.
It all just came crashing in.
I don't have manic highs just bouts of severe depression. I to was diagnosed with depression at forest.
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
Wow jenniferswe, it sounds like you had a lot on your plate and a nervous break down would have happened to anyone. That is a perfectly logical response in my opinion. But then again, im bipolar to.... Lol only kidding. But really, i get upset when people blame stuff on my bipolar that are just logical and reasonable reactions to things. "Wow you got so angry when I left the dog out all night in 90 degree weather. " hypothetical situation, didnt really happen but my point is, a totally normal response to get mad and then someone wants to be like wow why are you so mad or something about my bipolar. Irritating!!
BradleyS.
BradleyS.
I read that you scratch and pick. I can’t keep my hands off of myself! Like a meth addict, but I’m not on meth! Stress increases the need to do this. I am bipolar 1. I can go days without sleep. I get severely manic. I am manic now, hence why I’m on my phone :) I obsess too. I get burned out. Mania is followed by depression- bad thoughts- you know the kind. I am a hyper sexual person, too. Not to be inappropriate, but I have many orgasms every day, and at 32, the need has grown even stronger. It’s like I’m 17 again! I can only do it myself, so, well, you get it. I am easily pissed. Easily stressed. I have several other disorders, too. I’m in several groups here. The ups and downs are rough. The insomnia is rough. It all is rough. Glad you’re all here! These are some of the bipolar 1 symptoms I can identify off the top of my head. I’ve tried 33 psych meds in my life. No luck. Done with that. I’m gonna get on medical marijuana because it calms the manic episode down to a more tolerable state. Stay positive y’all!!!
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
BradleyS....story of my life lol. Glad I am not alone. At what age where you diagnosed? And what meds are you on now, besides marijuana? Idk i feel like idk if i am compulsively buying or I am obsessively buying or what I am doing when i get in these weird obsessions. Its legit insane. And idk like O def had a period where i legit messed my face up picky scratching and i did look like i was on drugs. I did my shoulders and chest to. Now, it has healed up. I think it started when i quit my abilify. Instead of the medicine cause these weird habits, its when i got off the meds thay i went batshit crazy. It has calmed down but i do still scratch up my head but i got hair to cover it. What did your picking come from?
BradleyS.
BradleyS.
I am on propranolol, Lyrica- for neuropathy- and that’s it! I was taking 32 pills a day at one point and got sick of it. So I made some big changes! I started devolving lipomas- benign fatty tumors, and had 6 removed- fun! That added to stress and I become obsessed with searching for more. The one’s I have now are small and not problematic. So, I’m taking a break from the surgeries. But now I can’t stop messing with my skin. Every rough spot, bump etc... searching for more lumps. I can’t keep my hands still- it’s mainly at night. Watching tv alone. I was diagnosed several years ago when my depression grew worse. Going off the meds increased insomnia and mania. I’ve spent every penny. I had savings now I’m broke and have debt. Sucks.
Prettyinink4
Prettyinink4
Oh man. Im sorry. I legit keep picking to. And at one point i kept tworling my curls. I have uber curly hair. My hand was in my hair so much twirling it that my arms hurt but i couldnt stop. Idk its really freaking weird. Did it begin when u quit taking your meds? Thats what happened with me. Remember, what goes up must come down. Im hoping your downhill ride is not to bad. The best of luck guy.
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