[BipolarBabe81599]

Hello everyone. Over the past 28 years I have had one serious medical condition after another, 2 life-threatening. I began medications in 1999 for PTSD which helped and then 4 years later was dx with Bipolar when I became manic from Prednisone taken to get over Bronchitis which I had for a year, became psychotic and was hospitalized with a nervous breakdown. I have been so caught up with one thing after another medically and emotionally that I do not know who I am anymore. I am not depressed about it, but rather excited about it. My psychiatrist told me that he knows how to help me with this and the two of us are going to start our journey of self-discovery next week. Yes, I know I have very good qualities, hobbies and enjoy nature, but I am still lost. I am excited about my new journey. I feel like I am like a catipillar in the process of a metamorphasis in a cacoon & I know at the end there will be a beautiful butterfly that will emerge. I saw my psychiatrist yesterday and told him that he is going to have to lead me and guide me thru this as I don't know where to begin, I told him I will talk, but he needs to start off the conversation. I am happy and excited about discovering who I am. Yes, things are raining down upon me, but that's okay....my feelings are raining down admist the sunshine and a beautiful rainbow will emerge. I hope anyone who is struggling like I am consider looking at this process in a healthy way like I am.

Blessings.

"God help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me that You and I cannot handle together."

"LORD, Guide my steps in ways of grace that they may always be in harmony to which you have set this world."

[BipolaRNurse]

You certainly have a good attitude about all this. Wish I'd been as optimistic when I started out with treatment. But I was completely in shock about my dx, and only fully came to terms with it in the past couple of months.

Now that I'm finally well, I look back at the odyssey I've been on and realize that it's an amazing journey toward authenticity. I know who I am, and am OK with it even though it would've been nice to NOT have bipolar! At least I'm real and I don't have to try to fake it anymore......what you see is what you get, warts and all.

Best of luck to you on your own journey. I think you're going to be all right.