[imnotreallyme]

I was just diagnosed a few days ago as being bipolar II. as well as a few other things. im not sure how i feel about the diagnosis other than i dont like it.

i just want to deal with it all with out meds though im not sure how possible that it will be.

i mean a few yrs ago i had shrinks that would come to my house (lived next doro to a mental health ppl). when i had explosive moments. just i dunno.

[Anneinside]

I was diagnosed with bipolar II ten years ago. I was diagnosed as depressed prior to that although it was bipolar depression. Look at it this way, now that you know what your problem is you can become proactive. Most people who have bipolar find they need medication to enjoy life. There are other things you should be doing such as establishing routines such as going to sleep and getting up at the same time every day. Disrupted sleep can put you into an episode.

None of us like being diagnosed as bipolar but we learn how to cope with it. Seeing a therapist is a very important step.

[imnotreallyme]

I was diagnosed yrs ago as major depressive and generalized anxiety. i was ok with that so why did the diagnosis change ya know.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by imnotreallyme

I was diagnosed yrs ago as major depressive and generalized anxiety. i was ok with that so why did the diagnosis change ya know.

Most people with bipolar go to see a doctor when they are depressed, not manic. It is common to be diagnosed with depression first. For years I went to my doctor about every 3 to 4 months for something for anxiety. It wasn't until I was diagnosed with bipolar did it come clear that I am anxious when I'm hypomanic. I was having hypomanic episodes and didn't know what they were.

[imnotreallyme]

that makes sense, but i dunno.

most of the time i dont know what i feel etc

[sugahorse1]

Try to write in a journal. Summarise every day, and try track a pattern. It will help you understand yourself better. I too was first dx'd as depressed. But after a while, you notice there are periods where you are happy, or even VERY happy (mania) - at this stage a pdoc will start looking into a dx of bipolar.

I'm sorry you are battling to come to terms with the dx - are you seeing a T to help you understand things better?

Dealing with Bipolar takes both meds and lifestyle changes (In my opinion) - keep asking any questions you may have!

[venusss]

I am one of those who cope without meds. But it took my years of yoga practice and learning how to manage my mind... which quite difficult,but rewarding. Very rewarding. If you have the resources and posibility, I'd recommend you to look into the alternative path. But ain't no easy ride and no quick fix.
You should try to make your life style as healthy as possible. Eat well (forget all the low-carb and other nonsense diets. Bipolars are quite sensitive to their foods). Eating lots of fish and legumen can improve the mood. There are some herbal products I could not do without... lemon balm, valerian, st. john's wort, chammomille, rosemary...

Of course,some people may need meds or are better off on them... but it IS possible to do it without in many cases, so it's worth trying.

And remember... you are not your diagnosis. That should only serve you to help you look for the warning signs and help you on your path... also, look at the alternative resources here along with the traditional ones (some of the medical books on bipolar tend to be doom-and-gloom and make it sound as a death sentence).

[blueoctober]

Welcome imnotreallyme. I created this list for someone else that was newly diagnosed. I hope it helps.

·Take meds as prescribed.

·Educate yourself on the illness.

·Be honest with your psychiatrist, GP, therapist etc.

·Get regular sleep, if you can't sleep ask for a prescription for sleep to be taken regularly or as needed.

·Eat properly i.e. avoid excessive caffeine, junk food etc.

·Avoid alcohol.

·Avoid non-prescription drugs and/or drugs not prescribed to you.

·Exercise regularly.

·Set a routine for yourself i.e. getting up at the same time, going to sleep at the same time.

·Surround yourself with people that fill you up.

·Take time for yourself.

·Be patient. Finding the right med regime can take time, but it's worth it

·Write in a journal especially with how you are feeling right now; that way if you ever considered going off meds it may help you make a better decision.


·Track your mood. Great free one online at http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker

·And finally remember you aren't your diagnosis. You have bipolar, but you aren't bipolar.