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Originally Posted by Hooligan
Hi Let It Go
It seems like you have a doctor who will take care of you. I'm not entirely sure if it was a psychiatrist you saw but if it wasn't perhaps you could get a referral to one for a screening?
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The dr is a medical doc. I'm sure I could get a referral to see one if I wanted. I am struggling with the label. I live in a small community and am friends with 2 people in my dr office. That is making it difficult for me emotionally because there is no anonymity and although things are supposed to be confidential, I'm not naïve enough to believe they wouldn't find out incidentally.
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Originally Posted by Homeira
And also, go get the counceling. You can never have enough of that. Counceling is very effective also in better periodes, since then one might be more clear-headed and more able to consider things on a deeper level.
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You are right. I have used it in the past to help when I was exhausted and angry. It really did help and eventually I had a smile on my face again.
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Originally Posted by gayleggg
For the anxiety I mainly use relaxation and deep breathing techniques, using the Buddhify app on my phone, but there are many different ones out there.
The fear, I haven't had much luck with controlling that yet. I do try to remind myself to stay in the present moment which keeps me from worrying, therefor fearing the future.
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I've been doing a lot of deep breathing for the last 5 days. lol I also have been using exercise for almost a year to help burn off some extra energy and clear my head. It has been very helpful. I am very afraid that as I get older, this could become debilitating. Just based on the fact that I did not have any fears/worries until I was in my mid 20's.
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Originally Posted by Mountainbard
Welcome to PC, Let It Go. The key is, as you said, not getting ahead of yourself. That's a lot easier said than done, but it is possible. Remember that your diagnosis doesn't define; it explains. I know I feel better when something is explained to me, even if I don't much like the explanation. I actually felt better when I got my bipolar Dx, because it explained the roller coaster ride that my life had been. So have faith, learn all you can, and take it a step at a time.
On the meds issue: I was put on SSRI's in 1999 when I was misdiagnosed with major depression, and they made me hypomanic. That cycle continued for almost fifteen years, without my even being aware of it, before I was correctly diagnosed last year. I am on Wellbutrin for depression and it's worked very well for me. It does work differently than SSRI's and, although the jury is still out, it seems to be the best med for treating depression in bipolar folks. Lithium of course is a whole 'nother story. I'm also on lamotrigine for mood stabilization, and a low dose of Abilify as well.
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I'm stuck on the definition right now. I know you are right and totally get it but I'm still reacting on an emotional level. I think a lot of that is because I don't feel that my roller coaster has been that bad. I think I used my energy to help me focus on some short term goals that I had. Now that I have reached those, the outlet is gone. Now I have more time to notice and be self aware.
Today is day 4 of wellbutrin for me. I feel slightly jittery, but not nearly as bad as yesterday. I still am not sure if it is me or the medication. After 7 days I will go up to 300mg from 150mg and I guess I will see. Tomorrow I have to go back to work so that will help me focus outside of my own head.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me think through things. I really appreciate it.
