new to bipolar world and struggling

i' new to this world and so far it is not a very pleasant one. I'm having a very hard time getting back to me. Am so aware that I am different than I used to be, and am being constantly reminded of how different I am. All I want to do is sleep so I don't have to deal with life> I know there are some great coping skills that I could be using, but am unaware of them. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? They would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Jored. Welcome to PsychCentral. Are you on meds? how about therapy? sounds like you are newly diagnosed. I'm assuming that means you are pretty young? you will find lots of supportive understanding people here!

Take care, emmy

It sounds like you are feeling very depressed. There are coping skills to help you work through these periods. Some suggestions are DBT, journaling, posting here and researching about bipolar illnes. There is volumes of information available. Another suggestion is doing whatever you normally enjoy doing even though it may not seem so enticing right now.

It sounds like you have a pdoc since you have been dx'd recently. Dlid they prescibe meds for you? It is also very helpful to talk to them as they understand the illness and can help you work through these periods.

I hope you realize that you really are not a different person but your illness has just been recognized. It has been there all along. I hope you utilize the help you have available to learn to live with bipolar illness and information concerning it. .

Good luck in learning how to live with your illness. Keep posting.

I went through those very same feelings,then some family situations triggered this whole thing, I was then DXed with Bipolar-II(mild) and ADD (mild). I see my pdoc regularly, and follow my medicsation regimen. I was DXed in 2000, so in the begining I also was in "talk therapy" besides seeing my pdoc for medication monitoring. Are you seeing a pdoc? Do get therapy? Are you are any meds.?
All of this can help tremendously, sometimes it takes awhile for it to all kick in, but once it does, I can put the feeling into words, but it is really good.
In the begining of being DXed, I, like many, have a hard time accepting it and dealing with having a DX or 2, that's the hard part, once you finally accept it and make the effort to persue treatment, things start to move forward.
You will get some days that are down, and then some good days, but even people without disorders, have those days, we all do. Medication at it's right dose, especially mood stabilizers, really are important in taking control of this disorder. Just don't give up hope, and feel free to come to the forum(s) and talk with others.
Welcome to PC.
Take care now,
DE

Jored,
I just want to give you a HUGE ((HUG)) right now. Being newly diagnosed is very difficult. I personally was diagnosed in 1995. I will admit that it took me about 7 years to come to complete grips with "what I was." Everyone is right though, it's always been there. Something now has just "triggered" it and it's identifiable now.

My mother liked reminding me how "different I was." *sigh* I love my mom, but I finally had to tell her to knock it off. *smile* Her favorite thing to ask is, "Have you been taking your medication?" So, just remember something... We tend to experience emotions much stronger than other people. As you take your medications and stabilize, you are going to feel different for awhile. I'll admit that I've never quite gotten used to it. *smile* But everyone else around you needs to remember that we ARE still allowed to feel emotions. Eventually, it will balance out. You will learn what it feels like to be "off kilter" and need extra help or to be left alone. It's just time consuming and something you will learn over the years.

It will get easier, I promise! Hang in there and read as much as you can on the subject. I actually turned my illness into 2 great reports for college. *grin* I learned a lot about the illness and pulled a few A's while I was at it. *laughing*

As for coping techniques? Oh, goodness. I think those are something we learn as we go along. I have learned to be careful of the "I need to be alone" mentality though. Because sometimes we need the exact opposite. It's just one of those things. *smile* Don't hide yourself from the world. You need to get out into it and learn to interact with it knowing how you are now. It's not that different and don't worry that people are looking at you funny. *smile*

CoPrincess

Welcome to the forum, JORED. I think you'll find a lot of help here online. It's tough when you're newly diagnosed, but I think you'll feel better if you get involved here and talk to people that have been through it.

Hello Jored, nice to meet you. Your post is very articulate and shows great insight into yourself. The fact that your being honest about what's happening and how your dealing with it speaks volumes. It seems to me that you have reached an understanding of your bp. This is good. But please remember, BP is not WHO you are, it's an illness you must deal with. You're still just as human and valid as every other human being on the face of the earth. Assuming like others that you are newly diagnosed...I understand your feelings of the need to just hide from the world...we've all been there, lol. I think the most important thing you must learn to cultivate about this illness is constant self monitoring. It's vital that you become aware of the cycles...there are times when it IS important that you just hunker down, especially when cycling up because that is when our judgement tends to go out the window. But when it comes to the down cycling...do your best to reach out. Coming here is a huge step in that direction, but also to maintain regularity in your sleep cycles, your eating schedule, going to work or school or whatever the situation may be for you.
In learning to get to know your cycles, keep a daily record of your highs and lows...the key is to do it for an extended period of time so you can get the "big picture" of your bp illness. I must advise that it's important to exercise caution in who you choose to tell about your bp. Some people, because they don't understand, tend to see us with a stigmatism that is an over reaction to the reality of the situation.
Don't be afraid to be who you are and what you stand for. Being bp does not minimize those things in any way as long as you are being honest with yourself and others.
Courage is defined as doing those things that scare you, intimidate you and are important to in spite of the fear you feel.
So get up each day, take your shower, eat your breakfast and plan your day. I know, I know...nothing ever goes as planned, but you've got to have a plan to at least get your start. Bp is NOT all bad. You're life can be an exciting and satisfying place to be. Choose your attitude buddy. We're here to help.
Thanks for reaching out to us, we'll need you too.
TgrsPurr, xo.