[unsilent_silence]

I'm a 20 year old girl in my junior year of college that first received my diagnosis of Bipolar II when I was 18 (though the symptoms had been there much earlier on in my teenage years). This year I've been struggling a lot because my primary medication had been affecting my blood, and so we've been trying out new medications, most of which have left me overly manic or crazy depressed. Last night I found out that one of roommates, who has known about my diagnosis since I first got it and who is one of my very best friends, does not think she can continue living with me because my emotions affect her too much and she's finding it difficult to watch me cope. I'm hating myself not only because if I wasn't bipolar, everything would've been fine, but because it affects all five of my friends who live and love living together. I'm the reason for their unhappiness. I'm trying not to take it too personally, but my mood is significantly depressed and I'm having trouble not beating myself up for being a ****** friend this year and someone who's difficult to live with because of my disorder. Help, please anyone, I just don't know what to feel or do right now.

[winter4me]

This is a tough time for you, and your friends. I am sure they love you and feel guilty if they begin to feel they cannot "deal" with your moods/behaviors. You are all also in school and trying to focus on the things you need to do. For you, getting the right medication is a priority. It might, if you can, be good if you could all sit down and talk about this as roomies, maybe there are things you or they can do to decrease the tension around your struggles without feeling guilty. Brainstorm.
You will get through this. And, it is not anyone's fault. (and, who knows, if you weren't bipolar, there could be another, even more difficult(?!) problem...)---my heart goes out to you. Hang in there. [think about what helps you cope, activities that can calm you or cheer you even temporarily; make it okay for a friend to let you know, if you can't see, when you/they might need to do something to ease the tension.] Hope the medication problems are resolved sooner rather than later.

[Alokin]

I am sorry for this, it actually angers me. I cannot actually put my finger on why because I understand both points of view. Do not feel bad about tis though. That will only make things worse for you. If they are still being supportive that is good, but if not it may be better for YOU to get out of an unsupportive situation.

[czarina1984]

I know how you're feeling. I had my mother and sister move in with me while I was going thru med changes and they didn't know what to do with me. Mostly they just ignored me but they ended up leaving after 3 months cus they couldn't take it. It took me a while to realize that I wasn't in control and that I couldn't blame myself for something that I have no control over. I've learned over the years that some people can handle psych stuff and some can't. My family and I get along better now that they don't have to face my illness so hopefully your friendship will grow stronger if you aren't around eachother so often. Hang in there.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by unsilent_silence

I'm a 20 year old girl in my junior year of college that first received my diagnosis of Bipolar II when I was 18 (though the symptoms had been there much earlier on in my teenage years). This year I've been struggling a lot because my primary medication had been affecting my blood, and so we've been trying out new medications, most of which have left me overly manic or crazy depressed. Last night I found out that one of roommates, who has known about my diagnosis since I first got it and who is one of my very best friends, does not think she can continue living with me because my emotions affect her too much and she's finding it difficult to watch me cope. I'm hating myself not only because if I wasn't bipolar, everything would've been fine, but because it affects all five of my friends who live and love living together. I'm the reason for their unhappiness. I'm trying not to take it too personally, but my mood is significantly depressed and I'm having trouble not beating myself up for being a ****** friend this year and someone who's difficult to live with because of my disorder. Help, please anyone, I just don't know what to feel or do right now.

I'm so sorry to hear, I'm bpolar II as well, and know I'm so hard to live with. I find if I get too depressed, or angry, then I typically need to adjust my meds and then I'm okay to be around! Best of luck and hang in there!!