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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not sure what to do next

abielle
abielle
i have just joinied this group, so i will probably be posting a lot in the days to come. i am not sure where to start, but i am really needing support from people who can relate.
i was in a hospital day program during september, for a month. since i have been out, it has been very hard to adapt to my meds and life. my job is different every day, i travel at least 3, sometimes 6 days a week. at the moment, it isn't realistic to find another job that will pay my bills and give me insurance, so i need to learn how to be balanced and healthy with all of this going on. any ideas? i need to find as much structure as possible while waking up in a different city every morning. is that possible?
tommymott
tommymott
The main way that I set up structure is to have a schedule set by time. I get up, have breakfast, bathe and take meds pretty much by the clock. Same with the noon meal/meds, evening meal/meds and turning in. I've often found it difficult to maintain enough energy for working and I tend to allow myself plenty of quiet sit-down time. I hope you can set a schedule that works for you and do your best to minimize the stress.
vickybea
vickybea
hello and welcome to DS

l travel and to get my bearings its not about where l am but what l bring with me so l have photos, music and my laptop with dvds so l can feel more at home and grounded. l might bring certain food to eat while relaxing so its not just hotel food as a choice...l like books on cd to its whatever makes me feel less adrift in a new place.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well, all that change and change and change can be a bit tricky in terms of stabilising you if your mood isn't a hundred percent. Well, let me put it this way, my pdoc said that my mood is slightly elevated and because of that too much stimulation if i do indeed go back to work full time the following week it can elevate my mood just a little more.
Just making you aware of what I was told..
deleted_user
deleted_user
Welcome x
abielle
abielle
when i went back to work, i felt very overwhelmed and unable to focus. that has lessened ever so slightly (really, not much)...but i feel like i am in sensory overload all the time. like i can't focus if my cell phone rings while i am working. i can't deal with the laptop and the cell at the same time. (and i need both at all times to do my job.) i need my surroundings as simple as possible. and, i haven't been able to catch up on any work from when i was out. i'm so scared i am going to lose my job, but i don't want to tell anyone what is really going on with me. i don't want to be "labeled," and i know that word would get around quickly. i start to feel as if i can't work, but, i know that is not an option. does anyone have any advice?
deleted_user
deleted_user
No advice on traveling, but Vicky and Tommy had some good advice there.
As far as work, can you talk to your boss privately or your HR manager, being explicit that the info is confidential? Make sure they know you are still adjusting to medication and will be getting better as time goes by. That "should" stop some of your worries.
And a Big DS Welcome!