Quote:
Originally Posted by thepterodactyl
Based on my casual observations of this forum, it seems like most people with bp also suffer from anxiety. I am wondering what role it plays in your life? And how you see anxiety in relation to bp symptoms or cycles?
For me, anxiety manifests in 2 primary ways - somatic/panic and obsession (oh, and a VERY major fear of flying...). My intuition tells me that anxiety develops as a sort of faulty defense mechanism in bipolar people - as an attempt to hold on to oneself/gain control in a world or body that often feels so chaotic or on the verge of destruction.
At least for me, my anxiety is one of the few things that keeps me 'in check' in terms of counteracting impulsivity and recklessness (not that I enjoy it!)...I wonder if it developed as a result of these traits somehow.
what about you?
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Quite impressive turning a disability into a positive coping mechanism.
Anxiety affects me in a couple ways. I can be restless, and it comes with my agitation. I also find its comorbid with my OCD. This is a very good observatupiin on your part. Anxiety does come with my mixed states. I can see it as a faulty defense mechanism. But I think it did not start this way, I think over the years I became to rely on it.
Depression plus high anxiety is a terrible combination for me. I experience it as a different type of depression when the two mix. This is more debilitating to me then straight depression.