[Anneinside]

I'm just getting out of mania. When I'm manic I spend a lot online. Last weekend I went into the crisis center for two nights while I had ECT to stop the mania and to keep from spending. I found out it was $600 a night and my insurance won't cover it so it's not an option in the future. My tdoc suggested I mail my credit cards to myself to cut back on the spending. Another idea I have heard was to freeze the cards in a block of ice. Do any of you have any ideas?

[~Christina]

Maybe put X amount of $ on a prepaid card... Can't spend if the money isnt on the card. I do agree with the block of ice. Or if you have a trusted person that could hold your CC's for you.

[venusss]

set a relativelly low limit on your card.

I've given my cc's to a close friend, and only allow myself a certain amount of money every week, and when that's gone, it's gone and I won't get any until the next week.

[Nessa213]

I had to completely close my accounts when I was going through it. The freezing thing didn't work only because in the back of my mind I knew I had an out. And especially with online spending a lot of your shopping regulars will now have card numbers automatically saved to your account.

I know closing the account sounds extreme but it's really the only thing that worked for me personally. When I'm in that state I'll stop at nothing to completely ruin my life it seems.

[BipolaRNurse]

My husband had to take the credit cards (when we had them), the bank card, and even the checkbook away from me when we went through our last Chapter 13 bankruptcy. We didn't know then why my spending was so out-of-control, but the attorney who took our case insisted that Hubby be in control of our finances, and I only be given a weekly allowance of $50. Was I PISSED!!! I figured that since I was the one who earned the majority of our income, I should be able to spend it any way I liked. Which is how we wound up in bankruptcy in the first place.

Well, of course we all know now what the problem was---my son-in-law calls it "bipolar shopping" because his mom is also BP and does the same thing. I've done a lot better since being medicated, but every now and again I'll get manic and drop a grand in Wal-Mart of all places, or write a hot check when I want something NOW and hope it doesn't get cashed before my paycheck comes in.