[BNLsMOM]

It bothers me but even though I want to hide from them so that they don't express their concern to me, I will call my T and talk about it with him.

Damn it, I thought I was stable. I fell like I may never get better.

[Direction]

I'm glad you are calling your T...a thought to share...Accepting that a certain amount of ebb and flow of the ups and downs will happen might be helpful...it is the nature of having bp...however it doesn't mean you end up at the most extreme symptoms...one of the things I've been working on is symptom recogntion. I have my symptoms in 3 sections...early warning signs, when things are breaking down, and crisis. I spent less time denying that I actually see the symptons now...accepting them instead of denying them helps me...also I have some action plans that if I see certain symptons that I take certain actions...it helps me remember that it takes much attention to minimize the amount of up and down...but it is hard for me to remember if I don't stay on top of noticing the symptoms. It's kind of like adjusting the steering wheel in a car...easier to make the smaller corrections now instead of waiting until you are further of course...hope this gives you some hope...if you need help developing your personal symptom list just let me know

[BNLsMOM]

Originally Posted by Direction

I'm glad you are calling your T...a thought to share...Accepting that a certain amount of ebb and flow of the ups and downs will happen might be helpful...it is the nature of having bp...however it doesn't mean you end up at the most extreme symptoms...one of the things I've been working on is symptom recogntion. I have my symptoms in 3 sections...early warning signs, when things are breaking down, and crisis. I spent less time denying that I actually see the symptons now...accepting them instead of denying them helps me...also I have some action plans that if I see certain symptons that I take certain actions...it helps me remember that it takes much attention to minimize the amount of up and down...but it is hard for me to remember if I don't stay on top of noticing the symptoms. It's kind of like adjusting the steering wheel in a car...easier to make the smaller corrections now instead of waiting until you are further of course...hope this gives you some hope...if you need help developing your personal symptom list just let me know

I am doing some of that myself. I have noticed some early symptoms and have alerted my treatment team. My family is part of my action plan ( a recent development after the last time I was in crisis) and they will tell me what they see so that I can get help. I usually slide fast once I notice the early symptoms so I put that plan in place to try to get a cushion before I fall to the bottom. Right now I am fighting with a lot of stress and it wants to win. I can't control any of it so I am trying to just let life happen. It is just a little much right now.

[Direction]

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

Right now I am fighting with a lot of stress and it wants to win. I can't control any of it so I am trying to just let life happen. It is just a little much right now.

I can relate...When i get overwhelmed by it all...my mind tends to freeze and I become paralyzed and very little ability to think about anything...the intensity sometimes catches me off gaurd

[BNLsMOM]

I end up thinking too much. That is never good news for me.

[sugahorse1]

For me, over-thinking is also a concerning symptom. I usually end up spiraling myself into depression.
But I'm glad you're letting your T know - they really do know and understand us, and can pick up on problem symptoms too. It's great that you've managed to involve your family too!

We will still cycle, but things become less extreme and the 'stable' periods will become longer. Hang in there; you've had a hard time, but you've come a long way