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.
It has been on long hard road of being bipolar its been 18 years since i was first diagnosed as being bipolar. The last 4 years of my life have been really very tough, i have been divorced and my wife has the custody of my 6 yr old kid as well. My faculties of talent have gone away with many things impacting my unemployment for past 4 years ranging from severe panic attacks, huge duration gaps in my resume, lack of written communication skills, inablity to concentrate or do a seemingly meanial task, and jobs i would not qualify or cant do at my current age 37.
So its been a long road of one mania and mostly depression cycle after another, no friends to hold on too (i lost all of them during my mania and depression). I have gained weight as well as a side effect of medicines and i dont go out of the house much for anything let alone exercise.
I dont know why i am sharing this but just wanted to get it out of my system. i take my meds regularly but suffering inside for the last 4 years, sometimes i think how long will i able to continue like this or lead this uneventful empty life
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
Welcome to the forum. I don't know why you shared, either, but I am glad you did. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.
The community here will support you in that journey - and slowly you will also start to see the different places we each are in with our journey with struggle. I am sorry you have been through so much- Sending encouragement to you to help you process and get back into a life you can be proud of. Someone told me that I must hold my illness as a badge of courage of I would never be happy. Peace and best, Mark
As for jobs and gaps in employment, do you think you can handle a job? I'm just asking, because your post seems to say "I can't do it." But I could be totally wrong.
I worked teaching for many years with bipolar disorder. Being a music teacher in elementary school, meant the kids were non judgmental, no one assessed me, although they would have seen my students both had fun, and learned a lot about music including how to sight sing. Just to say, sometimes we have to think out of the box, when applying for jobs, if that is what you want to do.
And yes, I think we all have regrets for what this disease has done to us, especially losing your family I'm sad for you. But, life does go on, and somehow, we have to find hope. It is possible, but it may not happen for a long time.
I went through mixed states, constantly wanting to end it all, for 5 long years. Then, I went to graduate school, and it really was part of being stabilized. The other part was eating well, and lots of exercise. I used to say, "Exercise is my main med.". I had to stop 2 years ago because of severe physical issues, but I am getting back into it.
My thought, is to get a mood chart, and keep track of meds, mood, and also exercise, and anything else that you do. I started very, very slowly, but over time, I was riding my bicycle 30-35 km, and lifting 15 lb free weights, which for me was a lot. Plus stretches. I'm just getting back into it, and every time I exercise, I say, "I feel so much better."
But remember, your body wants to remain in a steady state, which right now is doing nothing. So it will fight you back. Not a problem! Just keep track, notice the gaps, make a note or two to yourself as to why you missed exercising, and you will find a need to exercise replaces a need to not do anything.
Sorry for lecturing, just sharing what has helped me, and I know there is scientific research to prove exercise helps people with bipolar disorder. But don't quit your meds! LOL
Appreciate all the kind words, thoughts and advice. I hope to learn and grow from posting and sharing on DS. I think it's people who are going through BD can only understand what the impact of it is on your life. :)