[jbug]

How do you handle possible powder keg situations when you are mood swinging? I have bipolar 2 and so that means I am a rapid cycler and lately have been very irritable.

So because of the fact I am irritable it would happen right now when I have family here that I only get to see every couple of years (my sister and kids) I only get to see them that often because they live in Germany. My bil is doing civilian work for the Army and that is where they picked to live. They will be there for sure 2 more years because my youngest nephew wants to graduate from high school there with all his friends.

Anyway I am about to go postal on Grandma because she just irritates the heck out of me and today she invited herself to breakfast with my mom's side of the family. Then when she heard we were going shopping after she tried to invite herself to that too but then I said where we were going to shop she changed her mind because scrapbook stuff just doesn't interest her. I was like score she didn't go. I know I shouldn't let her get to me the way she does but I don't know how not to do that yet. Wednesday when she was over for our family cookout she made me angry because she thought I was getting on to her about something and I told her I wasn't and she told me you don't have to be so crabby all the time. I thought in my head I'm only crabby when you are around but I did good and kept that little tidbit to myself. I realize she is getting older and needs to be treated differently but why does she have to be so hateful? I am always quiet around her because I am scared to death to say anything because I don't want to get my head bit off.

So when you are mood swinging how do you handle situations that could become ugly if you just blow your top? I have that family thing to go to tomorrow and I have to go since part of the people there are my sister and family and I haven't seen my other cousin and his family since Christmas so I have to go or it will be even worse if I don't show up.

Jan

Your situation does'nt sound like a EASY one at ALL.

Me I would take one of my anxiety pills.
Stay away from any caffiene or sugar - this will really make you edgy.

But if she is being verbal abuse - remove yourself from her in mid talk.

It's for your mental health. She's got her issues and I know she old,

But you've really got to keep hold of yourself. That's most important!

[jbug]

Well I went and I survived. I about bit Grandma's head off so I just ignored her. It was 5:00 and no one was there yet. She should know by now that no one in our family is on time for anything. She was complaining and I said something and she got snippy so I said well you should just tell them that when they get here. She got quiet after that. She also said that she wouldn't be able to go out to lunch with me tomorrow because she was spending the night at my aunt's house tonight and going to church with them tomorrow and I said that was fine. In my heart I was like yippee!! She said maybe next week. I found out my family that is visiting will still be here tomorrow so at least I won't be alone for lunch tomorrow. I am enjoying my family that is visiting.

I left the gathering early so I could come home and save my sanity. My cousin Anissa had just got there when I left and she knew why I was leaving she knows that family gatherings stress me out. But I could have clocked her for asking why I was really leaving after hearing me tell her mom I was leaving to come home to take care of my cat. She asked if that was the real reason I was leaving. I thought Anissa just leave it alone. Now her mom knows I just use Tyger as an excuse to leave family things. I told her mom Tyger was outside and I needed to let him in so he could eat and she told me that he would catch a bird or something if he wanted to eat. I was mad after that comment.

I hate my family sometimes.

Jan

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU

[jbug]

Thanks. I guess I just need to realize that these people are my family and they are who they are and they aren't going to change so I need to learn how to be around them.

Jan

The doesn't mean you have to take any abuse (crap) though