[William Werner]

Hi, I am 52 and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder about 13 months ago. Luckily I found a great doctor and meds are working great. I am also in therapy in order to explore past trraumatic events and to learn about controlling my anger. For me, being diagnosed as being Bipolar has been a tremendous relief as I finally feel like I can start exploring who I am and realizing that I am unique person with many things to offer. Looking forward to talking with everyone.

Hi William- Welcome to PC

[MissBookMaven]

Hi, my name is Mary and I was recently diagnosed with type II Bipolar Disorder. I found this forum while looking for somewhere to get a little help understanding my new dx and looking for people to talk to about what's going on. I was dx'd after being hospitalized and have only been out for five days. Hopefully I can get some good info and some support through the people here!

Welcome, MissBookMaven!

[SmilingMask]

I am so glad I found this one! I have been navigating around for a few days; just registered last nite and feel relieved now to have found your thread. I am 40; recently diagnosed with bipolar; but something has been wrong for a LONG time; I just finally found the courage to go to doc and get help.
My husband is confused and in denial but he is trying to be supportive. I know he loves when I'm up (like right now) cause I do suffer with some hypersex issues and he gets the false sense of I'm ok so everything is ok.
I have told my mom and my best friend. Mom was very cool and supporting, glad that I have finally gotten help- in her words "we've seen you up and down for so long"; my best friend of 20+ years however was not so supportive, she identifies bipolar with "unstability"- we haven't lived in the same state in 15 years so I have been able to hide a lot from her. I have hidden a lot from everyone; I think that's why I get mixed emotions from family- I have held the mask VERY tightly.
I am seeing a general doc because I'm also going through perimenopause; a therapist and will soon see a psychiatrist for mood stabilizers (this has all happened since April, so I am brand new to all of this). I take Cymbalta 60mg (up from 30mg) and Black Cohosh for the perimenopause symptoms.
I also am dealing with some food issues that my therapist is helping me figure out. Since I am up right now; my thoughts are so scattered, she has to reel me in a lot and we dont get a lot of work done (so I think anyway, she may see it differently).
So I hope nothing I said was a "trigger"- looking forward to being helped here and hopefully being able to help someone else too. It makes things so much easier when someone else is going through the same thing and they can put it into words you can't!

[Mynxie123]

I have not been diagnosed yet, but it seems to be a big possiblity. I was just hospitalized due to a very bad reaction to cymbalta, and the psychiatrist said that antidepressants bring out negative reactions in people with bipolar. I am awaiting an appointment with a psychiatrist, and then I will see.

HI, I am Anika, I'm new here. I was diagnosed with Bipolar type1 several years ago. I am taking medication and under care. I have not found the right mix yet it seems. I have 3 children and I work as hard as I can to remain stable. But it can be a really lonely battle at times. I have a very supportive boyfriend that helps me through, but I would like to connect with others who share this illness.

[johnf22881]

I'm John and I am 30 years old. My life has been complete hell for over 10 years. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a little over 10 years ago. I cannot keep a job because I just quit for one crazy reason or another. I have gotten multiple DWIs and don't have a license currently. I don't have or want any friends because I am pretty antisocial. Yet, I am in a relationship with this girl, who I just got pregnant (an wanted to at the time, terrible judgement), and now I have zero interest in her and continuously think and picture every single fault she has. I have cheated on every girlfriend I've ever had and don't know why. Sooner or later I find something wrong with every girlfriend, so far, that disgusts me. I use drugs more often than not and would say I have a problem with drugs, alcohol, gambling, and the like. I am a liar. I have stolen from family and friends. I have had my fair share of legal problems. I have obsessive thoughts about all types of stuff and can't make them stop, and most of the thoughts are worries. One minute I feel like I can do anything and then I feel I can do nothing the next. My grandfather just had a stroke. He was like the dad I never had. I have gone to see him in the hospital a few times, but I feel like I don't care and that absolutely kills me. For the last few months, or more, I have barely left the house. I pretty much have no interest in anything. I need to get a job because I got fired about 5 months ago. I have worked at this place for about 5 years, but quit the same place 11 times in that 5 years. I was a finance director at a car dealership, but want nothing to do with sales anymore. I have absolutely no idea what to do for work or with life anymore. I can't even figure out what I like anymore.

That is my story, the brutal truth of it.

Yes, I am on medication and don't feel like any of the medications I have been on have ever helped.

[FreshlyBipolar]

Hi! I'm Laura. I'm 18, and just got diagnosed with this disorder. I live in South Carolina. I came to this forum to get added support, as I am not sure what to make of it yet!

[cheeri]

I met an amazing friend on a different forum a few years ago. I seeked solace because I was killing myself. I desired a slow, painful (but somehow fun) death and wanted anonymous friends to watch the progression. The forum saved my life.

I keep hoping one day I will read a profile about bipolar and I won't fit the description, yet instead, the studies continue to solidify that I am indeed, bp. I refuse to let anyone I care about see what really goes on in my brain, which leads to extreme loneliness. I have allowed only two people to truly see and love me, but they ended up running for the hills.

So...I work. I work a lot. I have a great career as long as people buy my excuses for why I've jumped jobs so many times.

At the end of the day, I'm the woman that will never be "worth it" to anyone. Some call me intelligent, attractive, and fun...but it's not enough I suppose.

[wing]

I have been reading all the new posts, but not replying to each one individually. I would love to have each of you in the Bipolar/Depression Chat. Check the calendar for details!

[mac666]

Hi new to this not sure what to say, I was diagnosed with bipolar in 2000, lost everything my business, house and so called friends. Since then I have done my svq3 in social care and then went to university and did my BA Hons in Social Work. However, encouraging and intriguing to people with mental health issue this may be, I am disappointed to have to tell you that even after all this I am finding it almost impossible to gain full time work as a social worker due to the discrimination and stigma facing people with mental health illnesses.

[wing]

Too often true, mac. I don't tell my prospective employers about having BP.

[desesperanza]

Hi, I´m 32, and 8 long years suffering without knowing wy. I was diagnosed last year, and recived treatment with medications that make me very sleepy, and disturb more my waking up problems to go to work, and make me fat, so I stopped taking them. I have had a lot of ups and downs, and actually getting many trouble at work, Im in charge of training personel and I think I can´t handle it any more. It just makes me change my mood in seconds, but belive me or not, I like my work and I really want to make thinks work well, but I cant!, please help me.

[Merlin]

I'm glad to listen and discuss my own experiences, good and bad, but that can be helpful in itself. Welcome.

[wing]

Originally Posted by desesperanza

Hi, I´m 32, and 8 long years suffering without knowing wy. I was diagnosed last year, and recived treatment with medications that make me very sleepy, and disturb more my waking up problems to go to work, and make me fat, so I stopped taking them. I have had a lot of ups and downs, and actually getting many trouble at work, Im in charge of training personel and I think I can´t handle it any more. It just makes me change my mood in seconds, but belive me or not, I like my work and I really want to make thinks work well, but I cant!, please help me.

Desperanza, it is necessary to stay on your meds to manage all the stressors that affect your BP, a job being one of them. There are medications that don't make you sleepy, or that could be a side effect that will go away. You can ask your doctor for a change to different medication that doesn't make you gain weight or be so sleepy.

[Sterrin]

Hello everyone

I've been diagnosed with BP II for about 3 years now though I've been struggling with it as far back as my teenage years. With an added dx of CPTSD/PTSD from childhood abuse and neglect I'm becoming increasingly confused about what means what and what to do about it all. I'm taking meds, I have a therapist, I attend a support group but there's so much I haven't said or shared.

I came across a quote from Maya Angelou: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I would like to share some of those stories as well as hear stories other people can tell.

Lysias

[William Werner]

Hi and welcome lysias. I think you will find PC a great place to share as that is what is forum is about.

[wing]

That's a great quotation, lysias. I hope you are able to tell your story here, through posts.

[blueoctober]

Welcome lysias! Love that quote. I hope you find this site supportive.

[Nahla66]

Hi guys my name is Judy. I have been diagnosed with bi-polar 1 disorder for the last 3 years. I've also been in recovery from drug and drink addiction for the last 5years and I'm only 23!!!well I'm having trouble accepting that I am indeed bipolar, saying that after 4 severe manic episodes I've been on lithium and find it does make a difference in stabalizing my moods. I have recently been taken off my anti-depressents and will be making a major life change by moving countries next year!!!.Hope to meet some others who can help me understand more and accept things.x

[allcaffinedout]

So Hi! Im new here as of today. i like the variety and the amount of activity on this site. i post to bi-polar issues on another site as well. Well, sometimes, im not a avid poster. i've been diagnosed since 2001 and at the time I was a working MFT in California. I think and no one has yet disagreed, that i was late onset. That symptoms were not present until probably a year previous. So i retired. I'd been working for 20 years and so the timing was good. And so now my issues are "soft" bi-polar depression (which, for me, cycles throughout the day with deep depression and sort of vague hypo-mania or just base line) and anxiety. Not much is going on for me today. I got a "good job' from my boss (I'm now an auditor) today and allowed myself to let some stress coming from co-workers just go. i run a "desk" of 5 people. and it can be stressful when i'm cycling and don't want it to affect my work or my relatioships with co-workers. But today is a good day.

[wing]

Originally Posted by Nahla66

Hi guys my name is Judy. I have been diagnosed with bi-polar 1 disorder for the last 3 years. I've also been in recovery from drug and drink addiction for the last 5years and I'm only 23!!!well I'm having trouble accepting that I am indeed bipolar, saying that after 4 severe manic episodes I've been on lithium and find it does make a difference in stabalizing my moods. I have recently been taken off my anti-depressents and will be making a major life change by moving countries next year!!!.Hope to meet some others who can help me understand more and accept things.x

Welcome, Judy! Most people, including myself, are diagnosed in their late teens or early 20s. I know I self medicated a lot, too. Sounds like you're on the right track now!

[wing]

Originally Posted by allcaffinedout

So Hi! Im new here as of today. i like the variety and the amount of activity on this site. i post to bi-polar issues on another site as well. Well, sometimes, im not a avid poster. i've been diagnosed since 2001 and at the time I was a working MFT in California. I think and no one has yet disagreed, that i was late onset. That symptoms were not present until probably a year previous. So i retired. I'd been working for 20 years and so the timing was good. And so now my issues are "soft" bi-polar depression (which, for me, cycles throughout the day with deep depression and sort of vague hypo-mania or just base line) and anxiety. Not much is going on for me today. I got a "good job' from my boss (I'm now an auditor) today and allowed myself to let some stress coming from co-workers just go. i run a "desk" of 5 people. and it can be stressful when i'm cycling and don't want it to affect my work or my relatioships with co-workers. But today is a good day.

Glad you're having a good day, aco! I hope you have 7 more this week! Welcome and

[Hope_Walker]

Better late than never but just wanted to say hi as an intro to this particular forum.

I'm a 33 year old guy from South Africa who was diagnosed as a mild bipolar almost 2 years ago, following the onset of depression when I was hit from behind in a car accident. I'm quite bad at remembering medical terminology, but in counselling I was regarded as being effectively depressed most of my life, which sadly makes a lot of sense looking back. I was a bookworm who avoided people and lived a pretty emotionally barren existence.

I'm now on Wellbutrin and Pur-Bloka (a Beta-Blocker generic) and rapid cycling can still occur. Yet my quality of life, personal interactions and people skills have clearly improved and I decided to stay on meds for the rest of my life. I also still have my personal struggles and deal with intense emotions I always suppressed when younger. It helps tremendously to have a forum with people in similar circumstances, and where there's a more personal element for a diagnosis that has a stigma attached to it in the broader public mind.