i´m bipolar

[sophia79]

hi... i´m bipolar.

i´ve discovered it reading a book and relating to most things written there, then going to a doctor and confirming it (dont worry, i´m not following a trend here, i know what i´m talking about haha).

here´s the situation if you know nothing about the disease and think its bs: sometimes you can feel "normal" but most of the time you´re either feeling down (depressed) or up (manic state) - thats why BIpolar. And it is uncontrolable, no matter what you say or try to do to us, sorry. Its chemical unbalance. thats why we need meds.

when i´m down i dont get out of bed (well, not now that im on my meds) and when im up (oh jeez) i spend much more than i can, i have sex like a duracell bunny (and my sex drive is uncontrolable!!), i say things i regret later, i eat a lot more.. we get impulsive and compulsive. its a ****y situation to be in, let me put it this way.

just venting in case theres more people like me here

is it?

well, if anyone read this far, id like to hear what you think,,, thanks...

[KathyM]

I think it's a very manageable illness if you are on the right medication to control it. Hopefully, you are. Someone I know well has the disorder, but only experienced the manic side of it, and it is very well under control with the meds. He lives a very normal, enjoyable life with no symptoms, and has been that way for several years now. Just keep taking your meds. Do not go off of them unless instructed by your psychiatrist. Being out of control will get you into serious trouble if you don't take a lot of care in managing this illness. Avoid stress, which is what triggers the symptoms. Control your stress level through exercise, relaxation techniques, meditation, and keep taking your meds. Also, make sure you get adequate sleep and have a regular sleep schedule. Insufficient sleep also can create a manic attack.

Edited October 25, 2011 by KathyM
more info needed

[AHardDaysNight]

I am bipolar and I can relate.

 

However, reading a psychology textbook and then diagnosing yourself isn't the right way to go about it.

 

Go to a psychiatrist, get him to professionally diagnose you, and get on medication for it.

[KathyM]

I am bipolar and I can relate.

 

However, reading a psychology textbook and then diagnosing yourself isn't the right way to go about it.

 

Go to a psychiatrist, get him to professionally diagnose you, and get on medication for it.

It sounds like she has already done that--seen a doctor, got the diagnosis, and is taking meds. That's what her OP seemed to convey.

[AHardDaysNight]

It sounds like she has already done that--seen a doctor, got the diagnosis, and is taking meds. That's what her OP seemed to convey.

 

Sorry I read the OP fast and somehow missed all of that.

[sophia79]

yes im seeing a dr and im on meds. ive been fine for quite some time (aka stable) but i HATE being dependent on meds.. say i decide one day i wanna live in the bahamas.. now what?? i absolutely hate the feeling that im gonna have to go and look for another dr there and be dependent on meds for the rest of my life. i alwals thought i could go without them and i was strong enough bla bla bla.. so a couple months ive been (on my own of course) trying to take less of a dosage and noticed ive been feeling moodier (DUH!) and noticed the depression wanting to get a hold of me... so today i called my dr and told him what ive done and he said i should go back to my regular dosage which i did today... i have to stop playing with my body/mind and accept that UNFORTUNATELLY it is a disease and i am hostage YES. nothing i can do. If i stop taking these meds or even lower the dosage (unless the dr tells me to) i will suffer the consequenses

thanks for reading guys... and replying...

[KathyM]

yes im seeing a dr and im on meds. ive been fine for quite some time (aka stable) but i HATE being dependent on meds.. say i decide one day i wanna live in the bahamas.. now what?? i absolutely hate the feeling that im gonna have to go and look for another dr there and be dependent on meds for the rest of my life. i alwals thought i could go without them and i was strong enough bla bla bla.. so a couple months ive been (on my own of course) trying to take less of a dosage and noticed ive been feeling moodier (DUH!) and noticed the depression wanting to get a hold of me... so today i called my dr and told him what ive done and he said i should go back to my regular dosage which i did today... i have to stop playing with my body/mind and accept that UNFORTUNATELLY it is a disease and i am hostage YES. nothing i can do. If i stop taking these meds or even lower the dosage (unless the dr tells me to) i will suffer the consequenses

thanks for reading guys... and replying...

You're welcome. Unfortunately, it is a disease that is usually lifelong and needs meds to manage, and you will most likely be taking them for the rest of your life, but the good news is that the disorder is very manageable with medication, and people go on to live healthy, productive, enjoyable lives, usually symptom free, once they are on a medication schedule. I hope you learned now that you should never try to alter your medication dosage, or go off the meds on your own. Your body needs them to stay healthy.

[norajane]

There are many people dependent on medications in order to live. Blood pressure meds, heart meds, insulin for diabetes, etc. They don't decide to change their dosages all on their own just because they're feeling good.

 

So what if you have to take meds for your mental well being? If they are working and allowing you to live a normal life, don't mess with your medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

 

Good luck to you.

[Sivok]

Hi Sophia,

 

I have Bipolar II and I chose not to seek medication. Here's how I view my mentality and what triggers my cycles. I feel I need to always be functioning at the top (manic), and if not, I feel like **** (depression). The average person has a much more stable fluctuation in Emotional states. If we're speaking metaphorically here, you can say that the average person operates on a dial - while bipolar people operate on a switch.

 

The average person's dial fluctuates between a 3-7 where 5 is norm. The bipolar person's switch has two settings - 1 and 10. During the 1s, we feel like crap, suicidal, lethargic, hate life. During the 10, we feel like Gods, we can accomplish any challenge, any work we want to. People are magnetically attracted to us and seducing people is ridiculously easy. Normal people don't operate at 10, which is why during our mania people are so drawn to us.

 

I learned to try and balance it out somewhat. During my lows I try and understand that it's a 'low' even though nothing in my life is prompting it. I use this time to do anything I can to improve myself. During these lows I taught myself how to play guitar, started going to the gym and got myself in shape, took an acting class, and tried to get in contact with old connections.

 

During my highs, I have a hard time wanting to improve myself (gym, class, etc) because I already feel like I'm a God. So generally, my lows = self improvement mode. My highs = make the most out of the skills you worked on during your lows and live like a God. It's been working out well for me, and honestly, the feeling of those highs is worth putting up with the lows

[KathyM]

Hi Sophia,

 

I have Bipolar II and I chose not to seek medication. Here's how I view my mentality and what triggers my cycles. I feel I need to always be functioning at the top (manic), and if not, I feel like **** (depression). The average person has a much more stable fluctuation in Emotional states. If we're speaking metaphorically here, you can say that the average person operates on a dial - while bipolar people operate on a switch.

 

The average person's dial fluctuates between a 3-7 where 5 is norm. The bipolar person's switch has two settings - 1 and 10. During the 1s, we feel like crap, suicidal, lethargic, hate life. During the 10, we feel like Gods, we can accomplish any challenge, any work we want to. People are magnetically attracted to us and seducing people is ridiculously easy. Normal people don't operate at 10, which is why during our mania people are so drawn to us.

 

I learned to try and balance it out somewhat. During my lows I try and understand that it's a 'low' even though nothing in my life is prompting it. I use this time to do anything I can to improve myself. During these lows I taught myself how to play guitar, started going to the gym and got myself in shape, took an acting class, and tried to get in contact with old connections.

 

During my highs, I have a hard time wanting to improve myself (gym, class, etc) because I already feel like I'm a God. So generally, my lows = self improvement mode. My highs = make the most out of the skills you worked on during your lows and live like a God. It's been working out well for me, and honestly, the feeling of those highs is worth putting up with the lows

Trying to manage bipolar without medication is extremely tricky. You are obviously not at the extreme--major depression or true mania. From what you've described, you fluctuate between mild depression and hypomania, which is a milder version of mania. People who are in major depression cannot motivate themselves or focus on anything positive. People who are in true mania are out of control and a danger to themselves and others. People who are hypomanic experience symptoms of euphoria, extreme creativity, sexuality, confidence, etc., but they are not at the extreme, such as people who have true mania experience. I think a good rule of thumb is that if a person feels out of control with his emotions, or his emotions are having a negative effect on his life, then he needs to be seen by a psychiatrist and put on medication to manage the illness. While there are people with lesser symptoms, such as yourself, that can function without medication, those that are in the extreme cannot manage their life without it. Some people may also not feel quite the extremes that bipolar can produce, but still want to reduce the highs and lows that prevent them from functioning at an optimum level. Medication can be helpful for them as well. In any case, the OP should talk to her psychiatrist and he will work with her on what would result in the best outcome in her situation. Deciding to manage bipolar on your own is not a good plan.