[jmv1962]

I'm feeling pretty good about a recent success. A couple of years ago my therapist suggested that I get a hobby to de-stress from work and to do something away from my spouse, who, while overtly supportive is actually part of the problem (but that is another story.)

Since I'm apparently not a person who knows how to just relax, I decided that I would like to teach sailing. I have a lifetime of experience and have taught in the corporate world, as well as teaching skiing for 15 years, so I figured I could do that part, but I needed to get certified. I spent months and months studying, and working with my T to overcome the anxiety of the testing 'clinic' that would last an entire week.

So long story short, I passed all the certifications and was even offered a job working in a sailing school. I was pretty proud of myself. However, the first time on a boat with students, the owner sent me out on my own, which I was not expecting, since he had told me I would be accompanied on the first several times out. The deck was sort of stacked against me, as I was in a fairly hypomanic state, anxiety was peaking out at a 11 out of 10, and I probably hadn't slept in days. Needless to say, it did not go well, and the owner of the school somewhat politely told me that he didn't think I was going to fit in with his educational approach. I was crushed to say the very least. To add to the joy my company was in the middle of layoffs, which I thankfully survived, physically, at least. Mentally - not so much.

But here's where the success comes in. I've spent the last two years in therapy, and have worked on getting my meds right - they are at least close to right at this point. Although I am a bit of a mess afterward, I've been putting myself out there socially for the first time in, hm, probably 5 years. And last week, I was offered a very small teaching job for the summer. Two nights a week, teaching 4 people each night. I think this will be just enough for me - considering that summer is a busy time for me in general and I do have a full time - like 50 hours a week regular job.

Anyhow just thought I'd share. I hope others have had a positive experience, even if it was a long time coming. And I think it just goes to prove that it really can get better. Not without some effort and some challenges but worth trying.

jmv

[Travelinglady]

Congratulations! It's always nice to hear success stories and the importance of not just giving up.

[FromManiatoCalm]

Hi JMV. I just joined this website, and yours is one of the first comments I've read. Just reading someone say "I was in a fairly hypomanic state"..............made me cry. I think I have been in this state much of my life, but undiagnosed. I always associated Bipolar d/o with DEPRESSION, and who would think that mania or hypomania would cause such problems.............so I never told a doctor I thought i had it; haven't pursued it much. But I"m realizing that, while I suppose I'm "luckier" than someone who also struggles with profound depression, the hypomania (pressured speech and speaking LOUDLY, attention span of a flea sometimes (but not other times), feeling others think badly of me or that I'm not welcome even though there's constant evidence to the contrary, etc), ..................has caused big problems in my life.

Having pointed out the negative aspects of hypomania, and being that this thread is about successes, I would like to add that I have a lot of love and success in my life, and look forward to more. I just need to keep learning about this and how to deal with it.