[wing]

I posted a thread earlier and got 20 responses. People are stuck with all kinds of problems on top of or because of BP. There's no answer, but I wonder what your philosophy to deal with it all is.

[venusss]

Existentialism

(and fried things)



(not capable for serious answer now...... will provide it laterz, promise).

[Smboc]

Originally Posted by wing

I posted a thread earlier and got 20 responses. People are stuck with all kinds of problems on top of or because of BP. There's no answer, but I wonder what your philosophy to deal with it all is.

I am sick of this BP mess. Going on 20 years and i am only 34. Every medicine has failed and now I am angry and in tears and want some kind of normal feelings.They put me on Latuda like 3 weeks ago and ihave pushed through and suffered the damn side effects until i can no longer take it. My anger scares even me. Im clueless on what to even do anymore.

[Desafinado]

I'm still trying to figure it all out, but am convinced that most of the pain in my life has nothing to do with bipolar disorder.. bipolar just exacerbates it.

I fight the angst by trying to be healthy, and doing my best to maintain positive relationships in my life. It doesn't offer endless satisfaction, but at least I'm temporarily happy sometimes.

[wing]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

Existentialism

(and fried things)



(not capable for serious answer now...... will provide it laterz, promise).

i'm waiting for that discussion of existentialism, VH...

[wing]

Originally Posted by Desafinado

I'm still trying to figure it all out, but am convinced that most of the pain in my life has nothing to do with bipolar disorder.. bipolar just exacerbates it.

I fight the angst by trying to be healthy, and doing my best to maintain positive relationships in my life. It doesn't offer endless satisfaction, but at least I'm temporarily happy sometimes.

that's what I try to do...grab the moments here and there and hang on as long as possible.

[winter4me]

Camus asked if life is worth living even if there is no 'meaning'.
He decided, after all, it was.
Saying this is simplified, is a gross understatement.

[wing]

Originally Posted by winter4me

Camus asked if life is worth living even if there is no 'meaning'.
He decided, after all, it was.
Saying this is simplified, is a gross understatement.

Which of his writings discusses that?

[Desafinado]

Originally Posted by wing

i'm waiting for that discussion of existentialism, VH...

Better leave that discussion for the waning days of your life. I remember hearing something about a quote in Monty Python saying that all philosophers end up alcoholics.

Originally Posted by wing

that's what I try to do...grab the moments here and there and hang on as long as possible.

As time goes by I embrace the power of 'acceptance' more and more. I realize that the world is largely one way and that there's not really much I can do about it but ride the wave and, like you say, grab the good moments when they come. I've also learned to accept who I am and forgive myself for not being the perfect person I one sought out to be.

And when all else fails I pull out my book of Max Ehrmann poems and read 'Desiderata':

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

[emgreen]

"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life."

"To be happy we must not be too concerned with others."

--Albert Camus

Easier said than done.

[gayleggg]

I do it one day at a time, if I try to think too far into the future I get overwhelmed with anxiety and depression. I do rely heavily on my belief in a high power and that there is a reason I'm going through this. So I try to find the positives. Small though they may be.

[GardenGirl729]

I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with it all. I have been diagnosed at Bipolar since 2005 and am just now coming to terms with it all. I am building a strong support network of family, friends, and doctors. I am also being more attentive to taking all my medications and speaking up when they just aren't working. I am going to a support group held by NAMI once a week as well. All these things have been helping me come to terms with my illness and they also keep me accountable for my own treatment.

[gris212]

I take it 1 day at a time. Like someone before me said if I think too much about the whole picture or about next week I get overwhelmed and full of anxiety. I focus on today and what I want to accomplish.
I've been writing/journaling a lot too, although I don't read over what I write, one day I will and it's comforting to know that I'll remember exactly what I went through and how I was feeling.
I love zumba! Any kind of exercise helps. I keep faith by having conversations with God in my head.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by wing

Which of his writings discusses that?

The Myth Of Sisyphus

[Curiosity77]

I think I get hurt because I keep expecting people to care about each other, when most people don't. But I don't want to close my heart. My philosophy is to try to do the things that scare me and take a lot of risks, because intensity is where the meaning is, even if it's painful.

Also, yes to existentialism!