How do we define Bipolar Success Stories? Really I have been wondering about this since we got this new sub-forum. Since there is no cure, and for most of us, there will always be more depression, more mania, and more learning.

If I wait for something like full remission to happen, being able to cope being med free, finding the right med combo, being able to cope perfectly, attaining measurable accomplishments, I may never see myself as a success with Bipolar. I see many success stories written in the threads unintentionally over time in the Bipolar forum.

I think we could have a lot more "success" stories here, if we rethink how we think of success, if we were less hesitant and afraid to say " I've achieved something real here", maybe even fears that if we admit success, the other shoe will drop, leaving you feeling like you're back pedaling on the success train.

Anyways, I was just thinking about this, how do I define success for myself in the Bipolar realm. And are my ideas of success the very thing that will hold me back from ever being one? Are yours?

[Aprilape4]

I have been feeling the same way. I always come up with: I didn't use a coping skill like I should have, I could have done that way better, this medication was working. They said in outpatient therapy, "Take your meds, self care, continue your support groups." If this is what it takes to be mentally healthy and I am doing them, why am I not there yet.

I come up with so many questions, concerns, and thoughts. I get consumed asking all of this of myself. When I saw this post at that point I realized that I do think of this stuff so much. It does keep me from getting to the place I want be. I let it bring me down. I had forgotten how much I have improved and what I have accomplished so far. I did inpatient therapy, I did outpatient therapy, I want to get better, I'm taking my meds, I'm seeing my therapist, I'm going to do marriage counseling, and I'm going to see my pdoc in March.

I guess a success story doesn't have to necassirly be someone who has gone into full remisson and med free. It doesn't have to be someone, who feels "wow I'm not crazy anymore." It would overall just be someone, who is improving or attempting towards the right steps to improvement and a mental well being.

[Gus1234U]

I must say: i believe in a "cure" for bipolar. i have found one, and used it, and been cured. since being "bipolar" or depressed for that matter, is a result of a brain chemistry imbalance, or disorder, meds only help as long as they are the right ones, and in the body. BUT, i have been using a technology for the past 6 yrs that has restored my brain's functions, and almost all of my "symptoms" of bipolar are gone... yes, gone. Repaired. Maybe it won't work for Everyone , but it is well known to work for many~!

it is a technology called Holosync, sold online by several companies. the one i recommend is CenterPointe.com, as their program is gradual and safe, and they provide free phone support. however, i have recently been introduced to BrainEv(olution), and their series is powerful and quick, but with some risk to people with significant trauma, i estimate.

do not be fooled by the medical profession's lack of interest in this technology. it is not quick, and must be used regularly, every day, for years, to succeed. it is not covered by medical insurance. but what importance is that to a person who has spent a decade or more with appointments, disappointments, side effects, counseling for problems that wouldn't be there without the brain chemistry disorder ?

simply described, the system is a different tone put into each ear, using stereo earphones, advancing in strength over time. the brain, to resolve this discord, regrows the ganglia, the connections between the cells of the right and left side of the brain, and "reboots" brain cells that are lying dormant. anyone who wishes to know the technical aspects of the program can research them online, or go to CenterPointe.com and read their extensive explanations.

i was introduced to this technology by a Dr. of Acupuncture and a Homeopathic Dr. who both used the system to maximize their focus and stamina. since then i have met several members of PC who also use it, and their experience has been the same as mine. if you can find a way to buy the first level, i urge you to do so. it has the side benefit of helping one to sit quietly for half an hour or an hour each day, and practice being calm. (who could not use that? )

i wish for the complete recovery of everyone, either by meds, skills, practices, or technologies,, or the combination thereof. Gus

Thank you Gus! * runs off to research * =-----> I will never discriminate against hope of achieving wellness. Thank you for sharing this.

I'm really happy you found this and that it worked for you, you know I think you're pretty neat! Sitting calmly, being able to actually practice my mindfulness more, yes I could use that!

Went to their site, ordered the free demo, very excited to learn more.

[Merlin]

I believe that each of us has to choose their own definition of success. Sometimes success is getting out of bed and doing the self-care we need to do despite our symptoms. Sometimes success is simply accepting that we have an illness and need to treat it. That itself took me years. Success for me is doing the self-care and committing to other needed treatment. That does include meds for me, but I still adjust them and this time they helped me out of a moderate to severe depression without needing hospitalization, a success. At times, I am symptom free and those days success is the commitment to pursuing my hopes and dreams. My definitions of success are varied, but aren't they all success?

[Ascension]

Success is growth to me. Trying with every fiber of your being to be better. It's the intent not necessarily the results. I try every day to find a way to better understand and cope with my limitations.

[venusss]

We should be beware though... that too much of everything is bad. I refuse to kudo myself on doing **** everybody does. I mean, my cats do get out of bed and wash themselves... so why should I see that as a success if I do it?

It's okay to take day off. Even week off. It's not okay to take life off and get satisfied with too little. Because it will get to you and it hit hard.

I define my success outside of my mental quirks. Who knows, maybe I wouldn't do things I did without my manic drive (certainly, I wouldn't traveled throughout Albania and Kosovo if I did not have a turmoil in my life and my head...).

I think we should not tie our success to "not crazy anymore". Let's face it... this is what we are. Let's live regardless. Legless people with success stories don't grow their legs............... they just live the same and probably more than people with legs.

So maybe success is to live. Not be afraid this or that might make us worse so we rather don't even try (look, I plead guilty on the account. Don't regret things I did... I regret only what I didn't do and there is too much of that). Try to have at least few absolutelly memorable moments that will make you smile even years later and even in the worst misery.

[hamster-bamster]

Venus: I disagree with regards to the cats. Being like a cat is being one with nature, which is a good thing. If I can go with the flow rising and washing like a cat, I would feel good. I usually find it difficult and hate myself for it, so if I manage and thus do not hate myself, AND start saying that "well, but this is just the baseline for most people, no big deal", then this is not enough for me. It was a baseline for me too, in the past, but not anymore as the years go by. So if I reach something that is usually not attainable FOR ME, then FOR ME it is a success, because success is an (unusual) attainment or achievement. By definition (from free dictionary online): "The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted". My biggest problem is that I do not even attempt, and therefore I have few successes.

[BlackPup]

sometimes success is simply surviving an especially horrific episode...
- getting through each and every minute while the voices tell you to end it all, convicting you of your guilt and worthlessness
- getting up in the morning, getting out of the safety of your bed to face the world or even the bathroom!
Sometimes success is managing to appear to function like a "normal" person...
- leaving the house, getting to an appointment on time, or making it to work or school...
Other times success is something huge like finishing uni, creating something from nothing, achieving a promotion or excelling in a difficult career, being a friend, mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter...

Whether big or small, take whatever successes you can and celebrate, it takes strength to survive BP, don't sell yourself short.

[mommyof2girls]

I would define my success as being able to manage my Job, Children, and Home life with more ease.....Using the coping skills that I have learned over the years.....And staying out of the hospital.....

success for me is being able to enjoy my life.

to be creative...in my photography, to "know" a great shot when it happens & then feel the pull towards piecing together another book, towards hiking & enjoying being outside, or visiting a museum & working my brain, or camping.

to live in the moment with my dogs..to see life thru their eyes & their joy. to be with friends who feel the same way. to feel good enough to be able to get out & do this.

to go to the gym & work out..to feel my body getting stronger...this is success.

to be able to handle the responsibilities of my life as best as i can...the bills, car repair, the house...things i find very difficult.

even the lows...they are a success to because they let me know i am still here.

i manage with the very minimum of meds...i fight hard to keep it that way since a bad year of overmedication 4 years ago. i lost so much then i want that to never happen again. that gave me a new outlook on life. so many things i can not do now or i do differently..so success has changed.

as time passes maybe my view of success will change but for now this works for me.

[captain1]

I've always considered my self a searcher. I wonder if I'm really looking for
something or just looking!

[mjshu]

Knocking of 20 years for being a child and a teenager with an unresponsive family, for 36 years I was an "unsucessful" biploar til I finally had the do or die big crash at age 56. How stupid I was to think other people went through what I did knowing or having an inkling that something didn't quite feel right.Within a week of being put on meds the world of the sane opened up to me and my learning curve about bipolarism was straight up. I had to learn my triggers... stress and lack of sleep... and how they impacted me precipitated another horrific low before i got it.
I now have insight, awareness and acceptance and have learned to take care of myself. I know there is no cure but so long as I manage my triggers and medications I am normal. Have found that occasionally the meds have to be tweaked but am so glad to be a normal human being. This is not to say by any means that I have been unscathed by the wounds of bipolarism. After being dx'd I was furious cause my life could have been so different if I had been dx'd as a child. But back then children didnt have bp and my parent wouldn't have taken me to get help
anyway. I had a lot of issues to work through and I can honestly say I have forgiven myself for things I did and my parents for what they did not do. It has been a lot of work and tears but i am now comfortable with my life and feeling normal.

[LiteraryLark]

I was just about to ask that myself...because I think I could qualify as a sucess story, but really I didn't do much, I had one episode in my life, got on meds, took them exactly as I was instructed, and a year later I'm as good as new and hoping to be completely off them. *shrugs* looking at all the other posts, I got off really lucky.