Quote:
Originally Posted by polar_bear1
Hi all, I got DX Bipolar1 in 2004 (26yrs old) hospitalized in a very serious full blown mania, after that came depression. Been on meds since then, get a yearly swing every February (big swing) and been up and down all these years but within limits of being seriously ill- due to preventive meds.
For the last 2yrs I´ve been rapid cycling/mixed state with a lot of anxiety.
My life got more complex 2yrs ago and that´s when the anxiety and panic attacks kicked in.
Now at 34yrs I´m only getting worse, no job, took time off from uni, and getting more insecure- have a 6yr old, single mom.
My pdoc once told me that with every serious episode, you´ll get a bit worse! Like your brain gets a little scar each time you get sick!!
Have you heard this before?
How is it for you? Do you get worse with age?
I know there are always new meds coming in, our health deteriorizes... but how do you experience your illness...is it getting worse?
Thanks in advance for your replies  |
from my personal exerience, i'd say yes. bp2, female and have been med. compliant every single day since this disorder. i have researched this illness and i am informed. i know my triggers..avoid them as much as i can, and no longer work, have a good, long-term marriage, and have a lot of control over my external world in order to stay stable. diagnosed around 35, and am now 66. hormonal changes during perimenopause created upheavel til i was put on hormones, and this past year anxiety has worsened (have meds for that) but the mania has come more frequently and sleep issues have become major when in the past, never had a problem. i would be curious hearing from other long-timers of this illness. believe it's called the kindling effect.