[punkyninja]

Hey, everyone!

A couple days ago, I got diagnosed with Bipolar I. I've been experiencing depression and general anxiety for the past year, but after going through my first manic phase and hospitalization, my doctor decided I was bipolar.

Prior to all of this, I had been perfectly healthy mentally, so this is very new to me. I'm really overwhelmed and confused with what my diagnosis means and how to cope with all of the symptoms. For the first time ever, I feel like I don't have any control over my life or myself and I'm worried that it will never get better.

Do any of you have any coping strategies or general advice about bipolar disorder? I feel like I was thrown into this illness and I have no idea what I can do or where to begin.

[RustbeltRoyalty]

Hi, punkyninja.

I was just diagnosed earlier this year and felt pretty much exactly like you do right now. Actually, I still do a lot of times. What I try to do is tell myself it's ok to feel overwhelmed and confused because those are normal responses. It's also ok to reach out, either to people you trust in your life or here on this board ( the folks here are really awesome like that). Research everything you can, and run it by your psychiatrist, if you have one. Find a good therapist. Be your own advocate. It is overwhelming and scary at first, but the good news, is that there is a full arsenal out there of ways to treat bipolar disorder. Go easy on yourself, gather your support together. Welcome to the boards.

[Curious651]

Welcome. Would comment but been dx for years. Hope find your answers

[BlackSheep79]

Welcome. First, realize that it can take a long time to find the right meds, they may need to be tweaked from time to time, and there are some nasty side effects. Second, BP is cyclical. So when you are going thru a high or a low always know that it will not last forever. I also have OCD and GAD so believe me I understand anxiety. I do breathing exercises and sometimes I have to step away to collect myself. This is the best advice I can think of at the moment.

[Heechee55]

Hi Punkyninja, I am recently diagnosed as bipolar as well and it came as a shock. Psychiatrist and therapist are very important. Finding support is important as well. The forums here have been a great resource for me. I do have one other suggestion there are Depression and Bipolar support groups that meet in person. I found one in my area and have enjoyed it a lot. A link to find one is here.

Find a support Group - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

[HALLIEBETH87]

I just joined DBSA myself. Good stuff

[LastQuestion]

One of the things I've learned is that medication alone is not enough and can even impede progress in the long-term. It's effective in treating acute episodes and getting things stable again and I'd advise leaning on it for support as you adjust, build new habits, and learn ways to cope with stress. Eventually you can try to get off the meds with the worst side effects after making a detailed evaluation of your personal needs (there's no one size fits all solution).

There are, however, some basics which can be very effective in maintaining stability. Getting enough sleep is very important, especially going to sleep and waking up at the same times on a regular basis. A healthy whole foods diet (no refined sugars, gluten), such as brown rice, vegatables, fresh fruit, nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews), and lean protein sources. If your doctor doesn't object, exercise at least three times a week for longer than thirty minutes. I at least go for a walk everyday. Abstaining from caffeine consumption is almost always beneficial as it can induce mania. If you've developed a dependance on caffeine (which is likely to occur if ingesting 400mg or more per day, about four 8oz cups of coffee) then removing it can be difficult.

There are also supplements which may be able to reduce ones need for psychotropics, such as Sensoril (a standardized ashwagandha root extract), L-Theanine (Suntheanine), elemental magnesium, n-acytlcysteine, and adding vitamin supplements based upon which medications you're on, how much stress you're under, and if you're experiencing an episode. People have different needs, but typically have few if any side effects to these supplements.

Consult your pdoc about using them as adjunctive treatments. If he doesn't know enough ask him to look into them, or to provide a referal to someone who is familiar with their use. These supplements can interact strongly with psychotropics and taking too high a dosage can lead to toxicity (which is usually well beyond a therapeutic dosage). It's important to have someone who understands what's going and can provide sound advise before adding additional pharmacological agents to any treatment regiment.

Most of what I recommend is stuff that normal people would benefit from a great deal and any MD would readily endorse. For people with bipolar the benefits are often much more pronounced, and so to are the consequences of ignoring the basics of self-care.

I would have to say to be "thankful" you have a good doctor that has recognized it and is going to show you the path for treatment. I dealt with it on my own for years, and I have paid a very hard price. All I have now is a therapist, but it's a start, and I'm extremely grateful because I would not have survived the past 18 months without it.

Ah, as JCM (John Cougar Mellencamp) once sang in a song, I chose to do things my way and I paid a high price. Taken from the song Minutes To Memories.

[Crazy Hitch]

After I was first diagnosed and put on a medication regime I eventually "stabilized" and thought hey presto I'm not really bipolar I've been cured!

So I stopped taking my meds.

Really really bad mistake!!!

Stick to your medication as prescribed by your pdoc.

Do as much research as you can on the medications that you are on. Don't be put off by the side effects. All medications come with side effects and your doc would have outweighed the pros and cons, and as previously mentioned medication is not a one size fits all, sometimes it takes a while to figure out what's best for you.

Welcome to the forum.

[Justugh]

Originally Posted by punkyninja

Hey, everyone!

A couple days ago, I got diagnosed with Bipolar I. I've been experiencing depression and general anxiety for the past year, but after going through my first manic phase and hospitalization, my doctor decided I was bipolar.

Prior to all of this, I had been perfectly healthy mentally, so this is very new to me. I'm really overwhelmed and confused with what my diagnosis means and how to cope with all of the symptoms. For the first time ever, I feel like I don't have any control over my life or myself and I'm worried that it will never get better.

Do any of you have any coping strategies or general advice about bipolar disorder? I feel like I was thrown into this illness and I have no idea what I can do or where to begin.

had this since i was 12 (35now) no one ever told if was class 1 or 2

1 u need to id your triggers something causes the manic .........once u find what yours is u can avoid them and work on those issues to stop it before it starts

2 the meds 7-10 days is my rule of thumb if they do not have a effect i see or other ppl notice u call the doctor up and tell them u need to see them and adjust because not right ( some pills do take longer talk to the doctor)

3 have friends and family around at all times to slap u and tell u calm down be good what ever ......plus they give u feed back on medical effects

4 u have the right to see and get a copy of all your medical files at anytime once u request them ........u keep a set for yourself in case u need to see a new doctor or refer back to them about treatments tried (from the date they gave u the notice u have bi polar u keep copies of until u kick the bucket in how ever many years ) this helps u with alot of things all the way tho life

5 do not stress yourself out ....if u feel iffy or not right someplace excuse yourself nicely and go to where u are

6 have a soothing tool it can be anything a rock u like to rub in your hand ...gum to chew .... a pocket watch to listen too/watch the works........it is something u can use to stabilize yourself really quick and make some correct choices not manic ......it breaks the loop thinking but only for a short time

7 pick a hobby the meds they will give u will be odd and a hobby allows u to get use to them and adapt to it so things are back to the normal

8 set yourself up a safety net..........someone close u trust if u need to go into the hospital to have things worked out they are the one that can take u there and watch out for your stuff and bills ..........when u are in the hospital u only need to worry about getting strait everything on the outside is taken care of by whoever .....u will get out much faster and rest alot better

[Homeira]

DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR MEDS AS SOON AS YOU START FEELING NORMAL!!! That is a very tempting thing to do, after all, you feel normal again, and maybe the doc was wrong about the diagnosis. Well, the fact that you start to feel better does not mean that you dont need meds or that you were mis-diagnosed, it simply means that the meds are working. And try to eat a balanced diet, lots of veggies. If that is a bit overwhelming, then take supplements. I was diagnosed with bipolar II four years ago, and I find that eating healthy/ taking some supplements helps me. But the illness is still there, it cycles, mostly for me its the depression that is the issue. Just hang in there. My brother has the same diagnosis as me, and he has a reqlly busy life, with his family and his work. And he has been pretty stable for five years. Me, on the other hand, have a harder time with my bipolar. I am not as stable as he is, and I am not able to work for long periods of time. So just remember that this illness manifests itself in various ways in different people.

[Imah]

I was diagnosed over 30 years ago - but denial kept me from focusing on how my life might be affected if I didn't continue treatment, listen to professionals or take medication. The outcome of denial for me was 3 marriages, 2 unfinished college attempts, over 20 jobs, 2 children raised dysfunctionally, multiple car accidents - confusion, anger, rage, poor credit rating (spontaneity). All that is past me as of 6 years ago when I couldn't deny the truth anymore.



My point is - don't deny the issue or try to make light of it. You are very lucky, now you can begin to own your emotions - not control them, but understand them and understand how to reduce spontaneous reactions.

You are the same wonderful person you were a year ago.

Trust your professional support staff - and utilize them.

Best of luck to us all.

[Maimster123]

Hi Punkyninja,

To feel overwhelmed with the diagnosis is normal I think. I was side-swiped with it as well. I thought I was perfectly normal, and when my therapist told me that she was sure it’s BP disorder, she isn’t sure if I’m type 1 or type 2. That was 10 months ago. Since then I’ve done nothing but research and journal. I read everything I could get my hands on just to understand the cycling behaviors and the depression.

Everything feels out of control for a while, but you have to work towards making it feel better. To keep a consistent sleeping and eating schedule is very helpful and helps keep your moods stabilized. I resisted making myself eat and sleep because sometimes I really have to force myself to do them. Especially if I was in a manic cleaning spree and wasn’t tired at all.

You may start in trying to figure out what part of you responds with bipolar behaviors and which parts are truly you. I think this is a very common misconception that causes us to somewhat lose our self-identity. I learned early on to ward this off by telling myself that I respond the best way I can to whatever situation happens and I need to slow down and think through my reactions. I realize that not everyone can stop life for a while to sit and figure things out, but I left my job in order to gain control of my life again. With ten months of needless soul searching, I learned to control how much outside influence I allowed into life. Drama makes it worse, avoid it at all costs. Keep your schedule as consistent as possible to allow yourself time to get yourself situated. My support group used to tell me that even though I wasn't used to it, I needed to figure out how to not feel guilty that it’s all about me right at that point. It is all about you, and you shouldn't let that make you feel bad.

I hope this was helpful for you.

[pink&grey]

There's so much great advice in this thread. I denied my diagnosis for 7 years so the fact that you facing it head on makes you a superstar in my eyes.

[newtothis31]

Originally Posted by punkyninja

Do any of you have any coping strategies or general advice about bipolar disorder? I feel like I was thrown into this illness and I have no idea what I can do or where to begin.

Sorry to hear about your BP1 diagnosis. I was diagnosed last year. What helped me once the diagnosis set in was to really document / acknowledge my moods and try to link them to situations that would trigger my behavior. It was definitely hard for me to accept what my moods were- before I had been moderately successful at accepting depression and pushing my emotions under the rug.

During that time- I've been able to stay strong by identifying my trigger points. Not all of them I'm successful handling (e.g., still need to figure out what to do when I don't feel like eating), but I have built up a pretty good support system with my family & friends to be able to handle it.

When I look back on the past year- I wish that I had held off on making some big decisions with intimate relationships and spending. Any big decisions- spending purchase, a mate- those are things where its natural to let it evolve and not rush into. Try to define for yourself early- what are some big decisions you might encounter- and how do you want to deal with them. Try to think of them before they come up- it'll create short-term panic but it may let you make a better decision for the long-term.

Keep posting and let us know how you're feeling!

[Hurre]

Welcome!

I think one of the most important things to do now in this early stage is to read up on the illness. Browse the internet and read books on bipolar disorder. A good place to start would be to read "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" and "Two bipolar chicks Guide to Survival"

Good luck!

[loophole]

One thing to keep in mind is that you were bipolar before you was diagnosed so it doesn't radically change you now your just focusing on treating it.

[newtothis31]

I just ordered the Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Imah]

Originally Posted by newtothis31

Sorry to hear about your BP1 diagnosis. I was diagnosed last year. What helped me once the diagnosis set in was to really document / acknowledge my moods and try to link them to situations that would trigger my behavior. It was definitely hard for me to accept what my moods were- before I had been moderately successful at accepting depression and pushing my emotions under the rug.

During that time- I've been able to stay strong by identifying my trigger points. Not all of them I'm successful handling (e.g., still need to figure out what to do when I don't feel like eating), but I have built up a pretty good support system with my family & friends to be able to handle it.

When I look back on the past year- I wish that I had held off on making some big decisions with intimate relationships and spending. Any big decisions- spending purchase, a mate- those are things where its natural to let it evolve and not rush into. Try to define for yourself early- what are some big decisions you might encounter- and how do you want to deal with them. Try to think of them before they come up- it'll create short-term panic but it may let you make a better decision for the long-term.

Keep posting and let us know how you're feeling!

I married a man in Vegas in order to get out of watching the Simpsons. I hear you when you give the advice about big decisions. We are susceptible to impulse.

[lacerta]

It will take a long time to put up with the illness. But stability and feeling of control over the life can be regained.
My advice would be - get into therapy.

[newtothis31]

Sorry to hear that, Imah! Glad that I'm not the only one whose made a bad relationship decision. I ended up burning through $24,500 in savings and credit cards on helping a boyfriend improve his home and buy him a car. I'm an idiot. But I'd rather be an idiot and alone then be an idiot with him.

[Homeira]

Originally Posted by punkyninja

Hey, everyone!

A couple days ago, I got diagnosed with Bipolar I. I've been experiencing depression and general anxiety for the past year, but after going through my first manic phase and hospitalization, my doctor decided I was bipolar.

Prior to all of this, I had been perfectly healthy mentally, so this is very new to me. I'm really overwhelmed and confused with what my diagnosis means and how to cope with all of the symptoms. For the first time ever, I feel like I don't have any control over my life or myself and I'm worried that it will never get better.

Do any of you have any coping strategies or general advice about bipolar disorder? I feel like I was thrown into this illness and I have no idea what I can do or where to begin.

Remember that people with BP tend to be more impulsive than people without this illness. That can lead to making some pretty bad decisions... and in terms of mania the danger is high of making really bad ones.One thing that helps me when something seems like a brilliant idea, is to give it certain time-period before I actually act. Then it will be less of an impulse, and maybe a truer choice. Not easy to do, I know. On the other hand, in terms of the BP-depression, the impulse to do serious harm to oneself can also be very strong. It works both ways I guess. Reason why I am writing this? I have made a few bad desitions myself on pure impulse. And I don`t want that to happen to you.

[Disorder7]

The impulse control comments really hit home with me! I have some stories....

As for advice: the difference of one hour of sleep can be the difference between heaven and hell.

[Confusedinomicon]

A good therapist.
-> Learning breathing exercises + trigger managing
Remembering disorder is not you.
Surrounding yourself with people that love you.
Staying active in communities you're a part of.
Some physical activity
Cutting out soda >.>
Getting enough sleep
Schedules 8D

[BipolaRNurse]

So sorry about your diagnosis. I'm bipolar 1 too, and I remember how shocked I was when I was given that label. All it takes for a BP 1 diagnosis is ONE full-blown manic episode in your entire life---even if you never have another, you're still type 1. It's OK.....as long as your doctor is treating the symptoms rather than the diagnosis, the number doesn't really matter.