[seekinglight]

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder a shortly after, my health insurance was cut off. Ever since then, i've had no doctor to help me understand what is happening to me. I've had no professional advice to look to. My family ignores it all together saying it's just teenage problems i'm dealing with but I know it isn't. They don't see the pain I experience. My boyfriend doesn't take me seriously. He tries to help but he only makes me feel worse. I have no medication to help me. I go through rapid cycles of highs and lows. I experience mixed states more often and lot of rapid thought. I'm practically all on my own and I don't know what to do and I have no one to talk to that won't shoot me down or judge me. I just feel so lost and misunderstood. I just want help. I need help before I lose my mind. Please someone help me understand. What do you do to cope?

[seekinglight]

Recently, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder and shortly thereafter, my health insurance unfortunately ran out. Ever since then, I've been trying to research as much as possible about my condition and learn how to cope with it without medication but nothing seems to be helping. I struggle with the rapid cycles (mainly more in the depressive states), rapid though, mixed states, etc. The worst part is that I think most people that know don't take me seriously. My grandparents just think I'm going through typical teenage problems. My boyfriend acts like he doesn't take me seriously. He tells me to snap out of it and to stop over thinking things, which as I'm sure all of you all know, just causes you to feel worse because it's not that easy. I know he means well, but he doesn't know that it doesn't work that way and no matter how much I try to explain it to him, he just thinks it' too confusing The past few weeks, I felt I had been doing a better job at staying positive but out of nowhere two days ago, I literally woke up depressed. It just hit me and I've been an emotional wreck since. I break down crying. I feel like giving up. I've been abusing hydrocodone in pills (vicodin) and in the cough syrup. I feel like I'm losing control of my life. The cracks are starting to show and I believe that every time I become depressed, I am one more step closer to having a complete breakdown. I just want someone to help me. I just want to get better, but how can I do that with no medical help? How do you cope?

[kaliope]

Well you certainly are doing a good job educating yourself as you are able to describe what is going on with you very well. the first thing you need to do is stop abusing the pills and cough syrup as that is only contributing to your fluctuating mood states. then you have to find a way to get the adults in your life to listen to you. who diagnosed you as bipolar? where you getting treatment? it may be helpful to go to the school counselor and tell them what you are experiencing and have the counselor help talk to your grandparents about getting you into a dr for meds. they are more likely to take it seriously coming from the counselor.

otherwise, check out the threads here on PC for ways people have coped. you can also check out the chat rooms. I have been bipolar since i was a teen too. I never got help. I am in my forties now and finally on meds and doing well. do everything you can to get stable on meds now if life is really as affected as you say it is. good luck

[manicminer]

Well if your looking for people to talk to that won't shoot you down or judge you, you came to the right place. This place is for people to share, vent, learn, grow, heal...

MOst of the people here have gone through or are currently going through exactly what you are and they are here to help. You are not alone. And we are all in this together. Just know, you'll only get as much out as you put in. so participate in discussions and ask the questions you're seeking answers to, and this community might just be able to help you. I certaintly helped me

Good luck and best wishes

[likewater]

There are low cost options for treatment if you are in US. You can get counseling low cost and see drs and get some generic meds low cost. You dont have to suffer. I know because my insurance was cut off. Sending you and manicminer hugs and
positive energy.Wishing you peace and healing.w

[manicminer]

Also if in the U.S. with the new "Obama-care" laws, you can get back on your parents insurance until 26 whether in school or not. but not knowing your situation i dont know if this is applicable. it saved my butt when i was working a job out of college that didnt offer health insurance

[seekinglight]

I've tried going through my school for help, but all I can receive is counseling. As far as insurance goes, I believe I am stuck without it until I am able to afford it. Likewater, how did you go about finding low cost doctors and meds? I've been struggling with it. But thank you for the kind words. I was hoping this would be a good place to try and help myself. I see I made a good choice!

[marialucia]

I'm 43 and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD at the age of 28. I had just graduated with a masters in psychology top of my class! Had a family and a bright future. This illness has had such a negative impact on my life. All these years, and I still battle with the question, "why me?" I'm afraid of everything! I'm afraid of life more than I am of death. Intellectually, I understand what has happened to me and I'm well informed on treatments and resources. However, that does not help with my suffering and non-acceptance of this sad existance.

[SupernaturalLover]

I know my family acted and still acts very much in the same vein with my mental health issues. And if you are in HS seeing the counselour can help. When my family staged my intervention they got all the info from the school counselor. And fortunately I was able to do my therapy for free. So that is something to look into. Also I find keeping a mood journal to be very helpful; once I establish the pattern it is easier to see the changes coming and ride it out as it will; although it is not 100 percent effective.

[nacht]

Strictly speaking for medications and whatnot, assuming you can't get insurance:

Check at the county level with their mental health program. Even if you don't qualify for their services (I do, but they have a very long waiting list), they can direct you to places that can help you. Talk to your local hospitals and see what they can offer. I discovered via the PER that my city hospital not only takes uninsured and indigent patients, they offer a subsidized health care plan for people who can't afford to pay otherwise. It was $20 for me to get a med refill this last time.

There are also websites that can direct you to discount programs for patients as well, like needymeds.org. Also you might qualify for Medicaid so check the government sites.

Good luck. Don't be afraid to ask questions here, or for help in general

[seekinglight]

Thank you so much everyone. I will look into medicaid and low cost doctors and meds. Hopefully I can find someway to help me get through this.

[expressiveone]

seekinglight-my goodness I am so sorry you are going through this, but dont give up. I live in los angeles and I had no job and no insurance and going through a mixed episode where I was completely disfunctional...I called 211 which is a social services agency that can guide you to where you can go to get help with meds and therapy. You may even have that resource available to you as it does exist in other states as well. Where are you located?

[Sheba976]

Originally Posted by seekinglight

Recently, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder and shortly thereafter, my health insurance unfortunately ran out. Ever since then, I've been trying to research as much as possible about my condition and learn how to cope with it without medication but nothing seems to be helping. I struggle with the rapid cycles (mainly more in the depressive states), rapid though, mixed states, etc. The worst part is that I think most people that know don't take me seriously. My grandparents just think I'm going through typical teenage problems. My boyfriend acts like he doesn't take me seriously. He tells me to snap out of it and to stop over thinking things, which as I'm sure all of you all know, just causes you to feel worse because it's not that easy. I know he means well, but he doesn't know that it doesn't work that way and no matter how much I try to explain it to him, he just thinks it' too confusing The past few weeks, I felt I had been doing a better job at staying positive but out of nowhere two days ago, I literally woke up depressed. It just hit me and I've been an emotional wreck since. I break down crying. I feel like giving up. I've been abusing hydrocodone in pills (vicodin) and in the cough syrup. I feel like I'm losing control of my life. The cracks are starting to show and I believe that every time I become depressed, I am one more step closer to having a complete breakdown. I just want someone to help me. I just want to get better, but how can I do that with no medical help? How do you cope?

How old are you? Why did you lose your insurance? Can you apply for state medical insurance such as Medicaid? You don't need to suffer. Look for support groups in your area, the are usually free and there might be someone there to steer you in the right direction to get some sort of insurance. Please don't use other subtances, I've tried that and it makes thing worse. Sometimes I used to take a vicodine to relax until one time I did the opposite. The alcohol in the cough syrup mixed with the vicodine can put you into a complete breakdown.