[Tucson]

When I was a teenager, due to this illness, I felt life was out of control. There were long periods of time that I a trouble functioning. This helped me to have low self-esteem. I questioned my judgement and ability to handle life's everyday problems. I responded to this by acting needy and relying on people to tell me what to do.

I find that I having been doing this for most of my life. I have not realized this until now. I act needy even when I am managing my life well. I think part of the reason is this gets me attention that I need. Sometimes it is my way in sharing. Frequently I ask for someone's advice when I do already know the answer. Oh, and I am prone to apologize for everything.

What do you think? Has this happened to you?

[sfcrisp]

Yes, constantly. It was one of the traits of my father in his later life that I always loathed. I feel more and more certain that he suffered from bipolar as well. When I find myself in this situation, I feel bullied by most men and pitied by most women.

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by Tucson

When I was a teenager, due to this illness, I felt life was out of control. There were long periods of time that I a trouble functioning. This helped me to have low self-esteem. I questioned my judgement and ability to handle life's everyday problems. I responded to this by acting needy and relying on people to tell me what to do.

I find that I having been doing this for most of my life. I have not realized this until now. I act needy even when I am managing my life well. I think part of the reason is this gets me attention that I need. Sometimes it is my way in sharing. Frequently I ask for someone's advice when I do already know the answer. Oh, and I am prone to apologize for everything.

What do you think? Has this happened to you?

Absolutely. With consideration to how I have interpreted what you said, I can safely say I have experienced the same situations. If you were like me you surrounded yourself with people you could follow, and take energy from (so to speak).

I have relied on others to point the way for me as I found my decision making skills were really lacking. This involves part of the brain called the cerebral cortex. I often struggle to make decisions when having an episode. Apparently these are common symptoms for people with bipolar disorder.

Yep, I often apologize just because it's easier and possibly due to low self esteem? Hope this helps and all the best to you.

[InsideBlackBox]

I was the super "sorry" woman. For all the same reasons as mentioned above. Once my mind was wiped clean, I had to deal with all the shame and low self worth. That remains a daily fight even now. I hestitate with important decisions but, becoming more self assured when I am capable of expressing my motives and reasoning. I am trying to count on my own level of cognitive skills again. It would seem that by those around me, assure and support my abilty to decipher the input -output messages.

[Rick7892]

At times I have been very needy--mostly in my bipolar depression, I think. When I am manic, I think I am not very needy--I can do anything! But I am still learning and have only started bipolar meds recently, so I am not sure how my needy times will change, if at all.

[tailie angel]

I figure I am a 'needy' friend because I often cannot be alone and when I get tired of being around family or vice versa, I often rely on my friends to keep me occupied. Lately I have been hanging out with a friend who just got back into town. We have hung out every day for about five days now, and I know when he starts his job I won't be able to pick him up every day and I am dreading that day because I know it will cause me to go back into my depression, but there's not a lot I can do about it. When I am alone at home with my son, I often get panicy, like I don't have any clue what to do with myself. Even if the house is a mess, the laundry is dirty, and the dishes need done, I'd still rather have someone come over or go to visit someone than be at home alone.

[Wander]

When I was in my teens and twenties I was extremely needy to the point of driving people away. Many friends commented on my neediness so eventually I decided I was going to need no one and swung the other way, spending most of my time alone, never asking for help etc. Now in my late 30's I have found some balance but I still struggle to ask for help in case I drive my loved ones away. My new boyfriend has begged me to come to him when I am struggling as I tend to withdraw instead. I find it scary to ask for help so this is still a big issue with me.