[glassman74]

I was diagnosed as bp2 a few years ago, but I've always been in denial about it. In January, I had a huge break down that put me in the hospital for a week. That opened my eyes to the state I was in and what I was putting my family through. Since then I've been taking my medication fairly regularly, but I'm still have trouble. A couple of times since January I have bad swings that help me go over the edge. These swings always make me feel crazy.

For those of you that have or have had a hard time coming to terms with your diagnosis, how did you get through it?

[pommybt]

Hi, it took me a year and half to realize I had bipolar. I had a break down 3 months ago. I avoided hospital by the skin of my teeth. I can't answer your question coming to terms with it as I don't know how to either, when I realized I had bipolar I did a lot of research on it, comparing symptoms and my behaviour with what webs sites are saying. I guess in a way that's helping me come to terms with it.

[~Christina]

About 5 minutes... It just made sense and explained alot of the things I had/have been dealing with.

Originally Posted by glassman74

I was diagnosed as bp2 a few years ago, but I've always been in denial about it. In January, I had a huge break down that put me in the hospital for a week. That opened my eyes to the state I was in and what I was putting my family through. Since then I've been taking my medication fairly regularly, but I'm still have trouble. A couple of times since January I have bad swings that help me go over the edge. These swings always make me feel crazy.

For those of you that have or have had a hard time coming to terms with your diagnosis, how did you get through it?

Well it's been 3 yrs for me since the diagnosis. I too was in denial. I'm starting to come to terms with it. I still feel embarrassed a little about it. But it's getting easier. Hey, at least we're dealing with it now.

I think, give it time.

[pawn78]

I was in denial for 13 years!!! Refused meds, refused to see a Pdoc, refused therapy.
Finally, I had a manic episode so severe that it fit the textbook definition of mania, the most extreme form of mania there is. I had 3 pdocs diagnose me with bipolar type 1 after that. Kind of difficult to deny my mania, since I stopped sleeping, thought I was god, had to be put in a straight jacket and hospitalized!!!
I still refused meds for several years after that.
Finally I was in an unbearable mixed episode, and decided to hire a Pdoc and get medicated. Best decision ever was to accept my diagnosis and get help.

[Angry1541]

I am still struggling, but this past episode (the last week or so) has me convinced. It's been a rough couple of weeks -- strangely though I thought I was good with the meds I am on, as I hadn't really had in problems in like 5-6 months...then wham-o I am all looped out...

Gonna have to note this episode to talk to me PDOC about in February...lest I have another, then I will need to meet sooner.

[Feelinwobbly]

I knew there was something different about the way I acted and thought. I was happy to have a name for it.
Like sunshine1995 I am embarrassed about it but also, am careful about who I tell.

Originally Posted by pawn78

I was in denial for 13 years!!! Refused meds, refused to see a Pdoc, refused therapy.
Finally, I had a manic episode so severe that it fit the textbook definition of mania, the most extreme form of mania there is. I had 3 pdocs diagnose me with bipolar type 1 after that. Kind of difficult to deny my mania, since I stopped sleeping, thought I was god, had to be put in a straight jacket and hospitalized!!!
I still refused meds for several years after that.
Finally I was in an unbearable mixed episode, and decided to hire a Pdoc and get medicated. Best decision ever was to accept my diagnosis and get help.

I was in denial about 18 yrs...

It started when I gave birth to my son 18 yrs ago. I've been on sleep meds since then. I had 3 gps think I had bp. But I wouldn't admit it. I just convinced myself I had depression and in the summer when I would get manic, I just told myself I needed the relief from the depression, lol.

Then I went into a psychosis and ended up in the hospital. Took 4 different tests and they all came up bp 1 and severe ptsd. I couldn't deny it anymore...