I think many bp's go through this to some extent, periodically...particularly in the wake of an episode of mania.

Oh yes, the people. . .
One of my major struggles is that I have a hard time dealing with people, mainly the ones I don't know. My meds help a lot, but I have a tendancy to see all other people as alien. For me it is like they are completely outside of my world. I can't even imagine having to interact with them.
So I just try to keep my social interactions to small groups if I can. And when I go out, I simply try to remind myself that my friends are there and I will be ok.

yeah i here you guys but i am like this not only after an episode but also on a good day.....when im manic...i am super....and party like hell....but i have been like this since i was 12 and now that i am potentially going to fix this problem....i dont know how to be and feel "normal"....i am really struggling with everything at the moment

mmm, guess baby steps indeed...pushing self a little bit to try small challenges??

I get like this quite frequently, sometimes for 2 or 3 months at a time. It should pass, be sure to try and get enough sleep and take your meds as directed. It sounds to me like you are having an episode and just need a little time. It's horrible going back out once you have been isolating yourself for awhile. Try going to the corner store and coming home by yourself. Once you master that, go to the grocery store. You might even take your bf with you just for support. I find being around people when I'm i this state just too much for me. Hope this helps. Just remember it will pass.

thanks ben....so true....thats the sort of small steps i think i am going to have to start with....i dont know whats going on at the moment...usually i drink and take drugs when i am like this but im just cold turkey and the reality of this disease is really starting to sink in....i feel really scared by it all

yeh... I get this to JK.
last night I was looking at pictures of my friends at parties i should have been at that i didnt get invited to as i hadnt been around for so long.

like the forgotten friend.

and if i try go out, theyre like heyyyyyy, then they do their own thing, as theyve always done, but i get paranoid and then try escape un noticed.

then theres the arguments with people or the lies you have to tell to get out of things.

i have a puppy.

If i go out, he goes to.

i focus everything on him, and that helps.. a lot!!!

but sometimes even thats too much.. to walk him.

i dont know hun.

just force yourself that little bit further each time.

and ipod? or mp3 player? sit in a park with a book.

and pat yourself on the back each baby step you make?

the ipod and outdoor thing sounds good....sometimes its hard to think that far ahead...does anyone ever tell people that they are a manic depressive??

yeah, not straight away usually though.

of course...but sometimes i feel like i want it to be the first thing i say...so they understand why i am the way i am...

I used to tell them that.. kinda rubbing my foot in the floor all nervously. now i dont as im having doctor issues and dont know what to tell people.

so i stay indoors.

and tell people nothing.

most ppl i have told, usually say yeh me to or my mum is, or my friend is or sumthing like that. im yet to meet anyone who goes. ooohhh get away, freak, other than my bosses.

oh darling.....thats awful....fuck work...

or sue their arses....

yeees. my current boss is being well weird. i dont know when im gna be able to go back. im so up and down.

i work as a photographer doing studio portraits and we have a lot of kids in, so i cant be in there when im anything less than ok!

but i love the job. so i dont wnt to lose it. but ive been off now for... ummm three months and probly will be longer and id only had the job for 5 months in the first place lol! I was off 2 1/2 years b4 that. which they didnt know about.

i cant shut up.
sorry lol

i dont want you to shut up...thats why we are all hear.....all we want is to hear from other people....i like it....it makes me feel better....sorry but you know what i mean....its nice to relate