Hello there,

My name is Joe and I'm 25 years old. I have been recently been diagnosed with (after a long diagnosis and failed treatments) bipolar disorder combined with social anxiety disorder. I am currently trying to come to terms with it and learn how to manage and to get back to my functional self again. I am currently a student as well doing a high stress study, which frequently causes my anxiety to trigger and I am having trouble trying to even get myself to fall back into student life again.

My mother and sister have both been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which you would think provide me with adequate support...but unfortunately we don't talk anymore, and I live very far away, so I am here hoping to get some support and understanding.

In terms of how my condition is, I am having mild anxiety attacks quite often due to triggers that I cannot avoid, and my mind is often busy and I can not shut down. I have been very irritable as well, and I am in the process of getting my medicine balanced ( Paroxetine, Seroquel, and Lithium) so I am not yet stable yet. I am also having periods where I can't do anything but just stay in bed, and can't dare do go outside.

Along with trying to find understanding of my condition and use this forum as an outlet for support, I also want to learn how to learn myself and to reduce my manic episodes.