[Chenryu76]

I am bipolar and I haven't worked for a long time (because of some very negative things I did in relation to feelings about work I've been VERY cautious about the idea of working again) I haven't been doing much in general, I'll go on a bit of an internet spending spree sometimes, and a lot of the time I don't show much interest in the items I've ordered once they arrive. My social life is very quiet, and a lot of the time I end up feeling frustrated and restless and just pace around from room to room in the house. I wondered if anyone else had similar experiences to this, and what they did about it?

[CliveWild]

Hiya,

I feel very much like you described. I haven't worked much in ten years. I gave up on looking because it was stressing me out to not get jobs I applied for. I say I retired early but that just makes me feel better about it. I don't do a lot either. No social life really. I hardly leave the flat. I have to work hard to get out for a walk. I potter around on the internet. I manage to avoid too much spending, but I have my moments. I have discovered Scrabble on facebook and I play the occasional game. I enjoy it but I sometimes have words going round and round in my head. That happens if I try to lie in in the morning. It was particularly bad today. I think it is a hangover from the Seroquel that I take at night. I have suffered from Bipolar Disorder for over 27 years. I don't get too much in the way of mood swings, but I do suffer a lot from anxiety.

I wish I had some coping ideas for you. I am very much in a similar state to yourself. I just want you to know that you are not alone.

Regards,
Clive,
Warwick in UK

[Chenryu76]

Thanks for your reply. I would say I don't suffer from mood swings (the last time was when the psychiatrist took me off one of my tablets) and I get anxious about certain situations at times.

[blueoctober]

Hi Chenryu76; I do work full time, but I was on a medical leave for 8 months (2007/2008) when I was hospitalized/1st diagnosed. Too much time on my hands is a recipe for disaster, so during the time that I wasn't hospitalized I went to a daily intensive group therapy (8 hours/day). When that was done I had a month before I went back to work and my horse got strangles, so I took over his care and that kept my mind focused.

Have you considered volunteering for a cause you believe in? Perhaps something that can be casual and you can drop in when you feel up to it. Have you considered a face to face support group for bipolar or a social group for person's diagnosed?

[Chenryu76]

I'm planning to enrol for a Photoshop course (when enrolments commence in two weeks time). People I've told regard this as a positive step, I guess I just have to do my best not to become discouraged about the idea. I do become discouraged easily.

[unico]

I also can't work and have never been able to. I spend too much time online and even when my mood is under control I'm not as productive as I'd like to be. I was more productive during mixed and hypo/manic episodes, though I'm not depressed. I sometimes do spend too much money due to my moods. Lately it's been more just a problem of crushing anxiety.

[Anneinside]

I don't work anymore but I do volunteer twice a week and really get a lot out of it. Like you, I tend to get into spending sprees via the internet if hypomanic. When the packages start arriving I am always surprised by how much comes. I don't realize how much I have spent until the packages get here. For awhile I entered every purchase on the internet on a spreadsheet so I could see what I was buying and how much it was costing. I have gotten away from that although it did help me see what was happening. I hope that when/if I become hypomanic again I will go back to using the spreadsheet.

[BlackPup]

I'm about the most undisciplined person out there so I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I really agree with blue october about needing the structure of work (even if I skip lots...) Getting out of the house or even out of bed can be really hard, but I find it easier if I have to be somewhere at a particular time.
I don't have the spending issues, but a friend who is a compulsive shopper, only buys things you can return, then later in the week takes them back! It's really funny, but saves heaps!!!!

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

Hi Chenryu76; I do work full time, but I was on a medical leave for 8 months (2007/2008) when I was hospitalized/1st diagnosed. Too much time on my hands is a recipe for disaster, so during the time that I wasn't hospitalized I went to a daily intensive group therapy (8 hours/day). When that was done I had a month before I went back to work and my horse got strangles, so I took over his care and that kept my mind focused.

Have you considered volunteering for a cause you believe in? Perhaps something that can be casual and you can drop in when you feel up to it. Have you considered a face to face support group for bipolar or a social group for person's diagnosed?

Off topic - blueoctober, what is "strangles"?

[sugahorse1]

Anne - it's a horrible disease that affects the lymph nodes at the top of a horses throat. They fill with puss and become large lumps on either side of the horses throat. This makes breathing hard and the puss is rather toxic. When the lumps get big enough, they are lanced to relase the pressure.
This is very contagious. The horse takes real strain as breathing and swollowing becomes really difficult. The fatality rate is also quite high. In a nutshell - really not nice! A Vaccine has now been developed.

Back to the original topic.
I agree with Blue that keeping a routine is imperative. While my job is very stressful and I would never recommend that level of stress to anyone, knowing I have a routine to stick to, and a salary coming in to spend on myself, that is a real comfott to me.
I'm also the type of person that cannot sit still - unless i'm sleeping. So for me not having a job and just staying at home would be a nightmare