How Much Does Mindset Have To Do With It?

Oh, I really like this! Thanks! I can definitely agree with that. That's why I always keep trying to do something even when I feel worst, and why it's so frustrating to me when I can't do much at all.

I often find that if I can get even one or two small accomplishments done for the day, I generally feel better and I don't think (as many) mean things about myself, and that translates into ongoing improvements. If I can accomplish anything at all, I don't feel guilty about doing nothing and it reduces the anxiety from stuff building up because I can't keep up, so I don't torture myself and just make it worse.

And I shall hand ye instruments with which to stab and join in, vigorously employing apparatuses ambidexterously. 'Nuf said. This admonition unto itself had caused me decades of pain and self-loathing. No matter how long, no matter how hard, no matter what method, I could not do this and beat myself up mercilessly over this failure. (At the other end too, btw, rage etc.) Hearing such things and not knowing there were others who also could not was devastatingly isolating. No other accomplishment could erase this abject failure as a human being. How, HOW, could it be that I could do nearly anything else I set my head and hand to and not this? This singular thing I SO very desperately wanted more than anything else to be able to do...
Amen. I am the SAME person I was before dx. This should be an obvious truism. What changed is not who I am, what changed is my understanding. Instead of just beating myself up and making mistake after huge mistake (among other things), I could begin to realize what was going on and do things towards lessening the damage. I am the same person. Albeit, probably a little easier to live with. For myself as well.

Right with you on the sometimes cutting some slack when it's needed, AniManiac. It's part of learning not to beat myself up. But I'm not letting go of the whole sail, not without a damn good fight. There are things that have been effected for me because of BP. But there are also things that affect me because of age (Which po's me even more, actually!). It's just part of the way it is. It's OK for me to no longer take a job lifting 80-90 pound things every day (I'm 115). I used to! (My longest-held job, btw.) That ability has shifted for me (Though I'm still one damn tough coot! ). I have to let it go. But other things/abilities have not changed as much. Slack cut as needed is ok, but there is positive mindset that can be utilized in holding on to those parts that we can when we are able to do so.

So yeah, that's part of the mindset too. Being as aware as possible of what is going on and not selling ourselves short in what we are able to do when we are able to do it. So... it may not be possible at all times in all ways. So what?! That's OK! This is not to say that there aren't times when it is soul-crushingly little -- that's ok too. It does NOT negate the other.

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Mr. Robot

Makes me sick to the heart, Oh I feel so tired. And the way the rain comes down hard, that's how I feel inside.

--The Cure

I don't know where you get your psych meds from, but it sounds suckish XD

My psychiatrist always spends AT LEAST an hour with me to discuss my meds. I guess you have a negative opinion of meds due to your experience. But I've been on over 15 different meds and combinations...and HAVE found the right combination for me (sorta).

RB.

Bipolar life has it's ups and downs

Currently experiencing slight relapse into depressive episode but overall stability for almost a year!

I don't my meds from nowhere. But I read plenty of bad stories right here or on Icarus project. ANd this is not even about meds. FFS, people rat me for this even when I don't outright say anything negative (ya'll should hear me how we discuss this with my friends. What i say here in most critical posts is NOTHING!). I WAS TALKING ABOUT NEED OF EMPOWEREMENT AND NEED TO BE APPROACHED AND HUMANE LEVEL as key to success.

But yes, you are right, the healthcare here sucks and that expands to even psychologists (I had one recommend me "meds and designers clothes" when i was 10 and my father just died and was forced to see her as my teacher couldn't handle me. I was not difficult, just sulky and sad). Another recommended meds, drop out of school and don't travel no more, because I might kill myself otherwise as "untreated" bipolar (tbh, I'd probably kill myself as Uni drop out who don't travel but has plenty of pills around). See none of these two professionals cared to see me as a human with unique experience and unique needs.

I am glad you found a good pdoc.

Glory to heroes!

HATEFREE CULTURE