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Old Jun 21, 2014, 10:51 PM
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Secretum Secretum is offline
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Eight hours on a plane recently gave me a lot of time to think about my life, and as I reflected on my thoughts and attitudes I realized something.

Whenever I feel energetic and motivated, I assume that I'm getting manic, that the positive state is pathological, and that the drive to get things done won't last because bipolar is a cyclical illness.

Whenever I feel depressed, I'm convinced that the pain will last forever.

When I'm neither manic nor depressed, I think my life is awful because it is just a matter of time before the next depression hits.

How ridiculous is that?! I'm going to try now to flip my perspective. When I'm depressed, I need to see it as a time-limited state that does not reflect reality, and when I'm hypomanic I need to celebrate the energy I have. When I'm "stable" I need to think that I have a great life, because it is only a matter of time before I get energetic again.
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  #2  
Old Jun 21, 2014, 11:33 PM
r010159 r010159 is offline
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Right on!

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  #3  
Old Jun 22, 2014, 07:02 AM
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Trippin2.0 Trippin2.0 is offline
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From my personal experience with this disorder, changing my perspective has done me a world of good. Obviously it hasn't cured me of bipolar, but its been as positive a change as some people experience on meds.

I'm glad you decided not to pathalogize every mood, it sucks the living out of life, and invalidates every emotion.

That's no way to live.

I hope the change in your perspective brings you the positive changes it has brought me. Please feel free to PM or email me if you ever feel like discussing the topic one on one.

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  #4  
Old Jun 22, 2014, 07:27 AM
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pawn78 pawn78 is offline
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I think youve come to a profound conclusion Secretum. Remember this thought, it might change your whole life!
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Last edited by pawn78; Jun 22, 2014 at 08:54 AM.
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  #5  
Old Jun 22, 2014, 08:13 AM
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wildflowerchild25 wildflowerchild25 is offline
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Excellent thoughts! I tell myself that in depression, at least I try. When I am hypomanic I enjoy every second of it without worrying. I think part of it is mindfulness - being present FOR the present and not worrying about the past or future.

It's difficult to do, especially when your mind is trying to convince you otherwise, but it's such a better life. I was so much happier when I wasn't thinking about bipolar every single day...

I think it will take baby steps for me to get back there because I don't know how I got there in the first place other than being stable for awhile.

Anyway I think you are definitely on the right path.
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  #6  
Old Jun 22, 2014, 09:45 AM
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Hbomb0903 Hbomb0903 is offline
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Exactly. I have been happiest and more stable when I'm not focused on every little blip in my mood. Right now I have felt so bad and been so changeable that I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop.

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