Bipolar Member Introductions

i am seeking other “manic depressives” {don’t like bi-polar,sounds gay} in sw. Virginia for a film project . i have turned my back on sculpture , and intend to make short films of disturbing ,and amusing nature . i seek persons of any age, race ,or persuasion with artistic, acting ,an eye for lighting/camera skills , or sewing skills . i want fellow manic depressives because they almost always have art of one kind or another in their blood and we have the ability to focus on a project intensley . also busy hands and minds keeps you breathing . also im a bit of an asshole /jerk and working with others of similar temperment could produce something good, before it is torn apart by personality clash

Hi everyone in BIPOLAR forum. I decided not to just talk to one person. I feel there isn’t a one of us that isn’t in some kind of stress over the BIPOLARi illness, no matter what our situation is. Even though some have more stressors because of this illness, we as BIPOLARS or people taking care of someone with BIPOLAR, we are all still struggling for some kind of peace, and even as some stated, a life!
The only advice I can give any one, take care of yourself FIRST! This isn’t being selfish, as if we don’t care of ourselves first, we sure can’t take care of someone else.
If we are the one that is bipolar, then we too need to learn how to “take care of ourselves” and nurture ourselves. If we are not taking care ourselves, then when we have an episode, it is harder for us to get back on our feet. If we are taking our meds, getting rest when possible; doing our therapy; going for walkds; eating right; talking and talking and talking; then it is easier for us to get back on task after an episode. It is also easier on those that are trying to live with us; or take care of us. I highly suggest, if you have the inclination to lay in bed day after day, DON’T! If you are manic and with a family, HAVE YOUR MANIC QUIETLY! DON’T GO WAKING EVERYONE UP IN THE HOUSEHOLD, just because you are manic and either want someone to talk to, or want someone to go have coffee and stay up all night. Find things you can do ALONE! And then don’t get bummed out just because no one wants to do what you think you need right then.
I have found that it helps to work on this machine, talking to people that could use my help; or have other hobbies that can hold my attention. I have found it useful to do this, watch TV; and my TV is in the same room as my husb., but as long as I keep the volume down, it doesn’t wake him up.
JUST BECAUSE we have been up all night for a while, DON’T TAKE IT OUT ON THE PEOPLE YOU LIVE WITH! Try to remember it isn’t their fault! Not ours either. But if they get their rest and sleep, they will be better to help you in the day time. I hope this isn’t too long. And I hope I haven’t bored everyone to tears! Bip

Was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 6 years ago and still suffering day to day, would be interested to talk to others with same

Hi everyone, i just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Rebeka. I’ not bipolar. However my younger sister and my boyfriend are both bipolar. My sister has a few other issues as well. I’m also starting to suspect my youngest sister is bipolar. It defintally seems to run in my family as 2 of my uncles and my grandmother was bipolar as well.

My sister was diagnosed 12 years ago at the age of 7. It was after her first suscide attempt that she was diagnosed. She’s attempted suscide 2 other times.

My boyfriend was diagnosed just last year. And he refuses to take any meds or go to councling.

So i just thought i’d introduce myself.

I am 36 years old. I have 3 kids who don’t need me as much. I have a husband who needs me to be more than I can be. I don’t feel confident about myself or future. I have been told to go back to school but lack the motivation and brains(I feel) to successfully attain that as a goal. I have noticed that I have a hard time staying with one thing. Even house work I get distracted and go on to other things. I seem fickle about things. Other than other people’s lives. I am very judgemental about their choices but lack any success in mine. I am lost and seem out of control of my emotions. I am up and down like a roller coaster. Except I never can get off this ride. What I would give to be able to take the advice that I so easily can hand out. If seems as if I am all alone in this world. I never have felt valuable enough. I can make others feel good but lack the ability to make me feel good. I am looking for others…to understand.

I have been living with Bipolar disorder for many years and I need a support group or just someone to talk to when I am having trouble.

I was just diagnosed with this condition and want to talk with other people who have it

i would like to learn more about the condition that my wonderful son has to live with

I was taking anti-depressants for three years, but have now been off them for a year. I suppose I’m getting by; sometimes doing well, but with quite frequent slumps where I don’t want to leave my room or do anything/see anybody. Then I pick myself up and get out there again. My faith has helped, but is also hugely problematic when I’m struggling and wonder where God’s gone/if He’s there - it compounds my emotions and I think there’s a lot of guilt tied up there. I haven’t self-harmed for about a year, but the urges are weekly and get quite strong. At the moment I’ve just had a mid-week slump and am intending to get exercising again, because it does seem to help. If i don’t completely hate how I look I have more of a chance of going out and about! Essentially I’m quite a happy person, but I’m very sensitive and have felt let down a lot. I know what I’ve had to deal with many people might shrug off, but things seem to hit me hard, which then makes me feel weak and a bit of a loser, which in turns makes me more depressed! the end.
Oh, also; i’d quite like to achieve a lot, so that it’s all served a purpose, being down and out etc. But sometimes, my only desire is to make it through life with killing myself.

i have been living with bipolar for years, sometimes fighting the battle makes me want to scream

I am interested in learning more about this condition and hearing other people’s stories. There are several people in my family tree with this disorder. I am having trouble with the medications. I have tried my 3rd med and had side effects with all 3. I am waiting for my next appt to see what we will try next.

I am 14 years old.

i have been living with bipolar for what seems like forever, and sometimes the world just makes me want to scream .

i have been living with bipolar for years, and lately there is more depression than manic . the men at my part time job have grabby hands , and its making me even lower, than i usually am.

I have a bi-polar diagnosis and trying different meds. Have not found one yet that I like.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, lupus and bipolar all in the years 1993 and 1996. I have recently been diagnosed with RA,It has been a struggle to maintain family and work with all of this but I am determined to do it.
I have had some really bad times and know I will in the future but I am trying to arm myself with as much knowledge as I can on these setbacks and hope that I can be strong enough to handle all that is thrown my way.
I’m a wife,mother and grandma so I have a lot of support from everyone.
As I say,
All that is left to do,Is pray and don’t forget to breathe.

hi im Elane , and i am struggling with bipolar . i was diagnosed with the disorder 4 years ago . what a treat . a year after i turn 30 , i get what feels like a death sentence . i know there are lots of people with worse problems , people who are actually dying , but the lows are killing me . i should count my blessings , embrace the fact that i now know whats wrong , and why i behave so erratic , but its not easy . the Prozac they have me on helps with the depression , but for some reason buttering toast makes me burst into tears . the manic episodes arent as much fun or frequent , and certain music makes me feel wild and a bit violent . i should have kept my mouth shut about the violent feelings , because now they want to feed me anti-psychotics . there is a bright side to the anti-psychotics though , my jerk boyfriend looked nervous when i told him . i think he is worried im going to snap and stab him over his constant bullshit behavior. i hope i find someone to talk to in here , and maybe i can give someone else who is struggling a shoulder to cry on when they need it .

Hi Elane,

What you are going through isn’t easy. There are a lot of us in this chat room who can attest to that. We are here for you.

I totally feel ya on the highs not being as fun. I used to love mine, until I finally associated them with a soon to follow depression. I’m atypical bipolar, so the swing would shift in the middle of everyday. It was truly awful. Fortunately most of that is suppressed by the lithium now.

Hope you can get your meds sorted out.

-Katy

Hi Elane,

I can most definitely relate to what you’re going through as most of the people here can. It took years of not knowing what was going on in my head and thinking I was crazy and all of that to finally figure out what to do about it. When I found out what it was, then there was the med roller coaster that we all know so well. I’ve been on so many, I don’t remember them all.

I do have a piece of advice for you though. One of the best things you can do is, instead of letting the doctor shop around for meds for you, shop around for a good doctor. I’ve had several doctors and I finally found one that is doing the right thing for me and actually listens to me and wants to know what’s going on with me instead of just taking out the prescription pad. Everybody’s different, but the miracle worker for me is Lamictal. I’m taking it in combination with an antidepressant and an antianxiety but it’s a mood stabilizer and it has worked wonders for those especially weepy moments. It might not be the right thing for you but it wouldn’t hurt to talk to your doc about it. I sure do wish you the best…and hang in there.

Heather

Hi I read your post in the bipolar forum, and i have some of the same issues as you do, but some not as serious as yours. but i have discovered that i thnk i am suffereing from anxiety attacks too! (i am 60, and through menopause), but my bipolar seems to be changing. i think that might be due to age also. i’m on neurontin and wellbutrin, but i haven’t gone to see my doctor for some time, as i have no insurance and so that limits me to whom i go to. i do go to a native clinic (i am part native american) so i get my medication; but the clinic doesn’t have a pdoc right now, just an md, and they usually aren’t knowledgeable about pmeds. do i don’t know for sure what to do with myself either.
but we also have something else in common, i too play the violin; haven’t for a while now, as i have carpal tunnel and it makes it difficult to play; but i also do bead work, and sometimes that makes my wrists hurt; but i do it any way. i also have fibromyalgia and that makes all my muscles hurt as i can’t take meds for it bkz i have a defunct kidney. any way, i read your post, and could relate to a lot that you are saying.
love,
bip