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.
Today is my first day joining this forum. I'm concerned about daily highs and lows. It's not everyday, but somedays I'm up and down all day. I can be washing dishes and be feeling fine, but before I finish the dishes get such a drastic low I feel like I need to scrape my face up off the floor, then minutes later I'm a bit on a high. sometimes it happens all day long and somedays it is so drastic I have to go to bed. I can't function is why I have to go to bed. I take 150 mg of lamotrigine morning and night. I also take alprazolam 0.5 mg twice daily as needed. I have been prescribed other added meds for bipolar disorder, but theey didn't help. Any suggestions to help me cope with this situation? I will be grateful for any suggestions.
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
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Ever since I stopped doing therapy because of insurance, I've been feeling that old tense and irritable sense of anxiety and stress. I hate that. I was making so many strides and changes during therapy, my therapist would acknowledge all of my progress and accomplishments, and I miss that reassurance. Today I thought about it, and I made those changes! She would always tell me that I chose to...
That rapid cycling is a tough demon in my own psychobaggage car, too. My own has been med resistant, as well. Mindfulness has been my most effective coping tool. When I find myself rapid cycling, I gently keep myself aware of it and ply exercises as needed. The internet is chock full of simple and effective mindfulness exercises. They are no miracle pill, but they help me maintain a functional balance, despite the cycling.
Gentle support while you find what works for you, Sheleen. Welcome aboard.
I went through quite a turmoil when trying to find the right meds and ended up in a mixed state a couple of times..... This is a great board.... I'm glad that you found us......xo
Rapid cycling can be tough to get under control...but not impossible. Sometimes it takes multiple tries with several different medications. Making sure you do as your Pdoc says, making sure your going to Therapy and talking all of this through so that it doesn't build up and drive you batty is also important.
DBT can be a little hard to manage for some when rapid cycleing, it's a pretty intensive therapy in a group setting, with classwork and discussions to be done each class as well as homework in between each class which are generally 2 to 3 times per week. You also are generally required to take the entire 9 month course twice to consider it completed, it's that intensive and a lot to learn.
Your Therapist or Pdoc can help your learn other coping skills to deal with the ups and down, deep breathing techniques and relaxation therapies for the transitional times. Other skills to keep you more stable when your too "up" and skills to get you up and about during the day when you're too "down", it's not all just about medications, it's a combination of many different therapies.
Welcome to the Group and I hope you meet some folks you click with and find some things that can help you with your cycling.
Take care,
Kat