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Jul 09, 2010, 01:21 AM
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Member Since: Jun 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 4
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Hello Karen. I am not a health professional and can only speak from experience. I can relate to your frustration, but hang in there and don’t forget to take good care of yourself as well.
I have pmdd and bipolar II. Here are some things that have helped me:
· Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can about the illness and available treatments. I borrowed books from the library and used the internet. (there’s a saying “keep your enemies’ close”. Bipolar is like that for me, the more I understand it, the better I can manage it!)
· Before going to the doctors have a list ready. A list of questions and a list of symptoms, dates, medications ect. Doctors don’t have a lot of time to get the big picture and also; when you’re depressed, anxious or just upset you tend to forget what to ask or say! (my husband encouraged me to write lists when I was feeling ok and to take them with me to the doctors)
· Keeping a mood chart or journal is very helpful getting the right diagnoses. I kept a little diary handy and scribbled short notes in it most days, charting my menstrual cycle and moods.
· If possible keep copies of any records, doctors’ letters, blood tests and such. This helps if you have to change doctors.
· I found the psych nurses in my area to be very helpful and had a lot of very practical advice.
· Talking to others with similar experiences was the greatest help and comfort for me.
· I quit drinking alcohol and caffeine, cut back on Chocolate, sugar, cola, processed foods ect. This was extremely difficult, but the trick was not to completely deny myself. I did this to help with my pms rage and mood swings but it has also helped a lot with the bipolar.
· Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has helped me enormously. If a therapist is out of the question, there are some great, easy to read books out there and a lot of free online resources.
Hope any of this helps, best wishes to you and your girl.
Eurydicedear 
“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” Dr Seuss (my favourite doctorJ)
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