Quote:
Originally Posted by Miss Laura
I have been told to efucate myself on Bipolar. I know a lot of you guys are American/Canadian etc where as I'm from UK so info would be different. But what helped you? I was told to read Mind website (mental health site in UK).
In 10 years I have read lots but conflicting info. Like some sites say manic depression and bipolar.... where as I thought they were the she thing just a more modern name (bipolar?).
I have loads of books so I have done research I'm not clueless. I'm just still struggling to come to terms with having bipolar.
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder Type 1, Social Anxiety, General Anxiety, OCD, SAD (Sessional Affective Disorder) and Psychosis??? I guess the last one is true but no official diagnosis there. I definitely have it though according to my team.
I am doing a Crisis Plan next week with my team.
I have a list I have made of symptoms/triggers etc some coincide with each other and depression and mania symptoms kinda are the same they overlap. Then delusions and paranoia again overlap.
Also I'm resenting getting the injection (depot injection) my Anxiety is through the roof. I understand the team have took power over me for medicating me. I still orally take Depakote. But they administer monthly Aririprazole through injection.
I just want it all to be OK but it feels like I'll never be well or OK with the diagnosis, meds etc
Currently low in mood struggling to get motivated, get out of bed which is my sofa, eat, drink, wash etc
Any help, advice or wise words of wisdom??
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Hi Miss Laura. It seems to me that you already know quite a bit about the disorder itself. And manic depression is exactly the same as bipolar disorder. I'm unsure why the name bipolar disorder took over, other than maybe when different "types" of the disorder were referred to more (meaning type 1, type 2, type 3, etc.) I think in the past, only type 1 was fully recognized. However, at least as far back as the psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin, mixed states and other tendencies (i.e. anxiety leaning, rapid cycling) were discussed.
My education about bipolar disorder also included books, but support groups, the internet, therapy, psychiatrists, and seminars also taught me a lot. And just plain experience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) happened to make the most difference for me, but I think approaches sometimes need to change as we and our illnesses change. The world of bipolar medications has also been a journey for me. I've tried over 20. Some became sure no-goes. Others, maybe worked at times (or with certain combos) but not others.
I do agree with my long-time psychiatrist that "We all have our own flavors of the disorder." That's not to say we don't relate in many ways, but our journeys will be all our own. We are also NOT our disorder! I disagree with anyone who says we are.
