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.
Yesterday a friend of mine commented that it seems like I tend to hang onto bad experiences from my past, like I have trouble letting them go.
My first instinct was to get defensive, but the truth is he's right. I hold onto bad memories and let them color my outlook on life alot. An object, an image, a date, these things and more can trigger memories that can instantly spoil my mood. It's frustrating because I can remember the bad things so vividly and they surface so frequently. Meanwhile, all of my good memories are hazy at best and don't have the same strength in my mind.
I don't know if this is bp related or just a character flaw, but I don't like it and wish it would stop. Any tips on what I can do? I've tried thinking postively and trying to make peace with my inner demons, but I keep ending up at square one, being haunted by the past...
My first instinct was to get defensive, but the truth is he's right. I hold onto bad memories and let them color my outlook on life alot. An object, an image, a date, these things and more can trigger memories that can instantly spoil my mood. It's frustrating because I can remember the bad things so vividly and they surface so frequently. Meanwhile, all of my good memories are hazy at best and don't have the same strength in my mind.
I don't know if this is bp related or just a character flaw, but I don't like it and wish it would stop. Any tips on what I can do? I've tried thinking postively and trying to make peace with my inner demons, but I keep ending up at square one, being haunted by the past...
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One day runs into the next I can't seem to keep them straightBut i do know it's Tuesday and I start to clean my landord's place again so it'll keep me going although I take breaks more often nowHe doesn't mind and I gwt it doneI hope that you have a good day and can get done what you need toBig hugz sent..Xo
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Good day to everyone...Well sort of day...I'm still waiting to sleepI think I will soonI got a few things done yesterday...Pushing through and I hope to do the same todayI've been low so everything at this point is one big effortHopefully that will change before longSending hugs...Have a good day!...xo
My therapist has been working with me on it. She uses a Zen Buddhist analogy about watering weeds versus watering flowers.
If you water the weeds (focus on the negative memories) they will grow strong. BUT if you find the flowers (the happy memories and experiences) and water those flowers, THEY will grow strong, and choke out the weeds. So, when I find myself being too negative, I try to remind myself to "water the flowers."
Hope this helps.
PinkFlamingo
I keep a journal and it has helped me track patterns of behavior that I'd like to change, but like I said in my original post, everything I've tried to fix these issues seems to fail. They keep coming back. Maybe therapy would be helpful because frankly I'm at a loss of what to try next...