[MapleEsprit]

Hi all,

Not trying to bum anyone out but... what are your thoughts regarding a normal life.. worth the shot or a waste of time? ....just general thoughts, I´d love to hear some opinions: go to/stay in school, aim for ambitious job´s.

I´v heard odds somewhere on how well bipolar patient cope in general. Can I ask how the members of this forum are coping in general? - Education, job, financial, social or just in general?

Best regards

[Moogieotter]

Hi,

I'm doing really well - high funtioning w career, relationships, and parenting. For me, it took months and nearly years of comprehensive lifestyle changes. Little things - making my bed every morning, good hygiene, walks, reading, good natural diet, and quality medical care.

It was not easy and I have to stay on top of it every day. Teeny tiny little itty bitty baby steps into new positive habits and ways of thinking and approaching day to day challenges was the answer.

Best of luck and keep posting!

moogs

[grueeyedgirl]

I'm doing well, too. I am a wife, mother of 2, a high school teacher, friend, etc. I take my meds and see my dr regularly.

I have some problems. I have lost friends. I get too absorbed in trying to be normal sometimes that I forget to take care of myself.

It's not easy, but I think it's so worth it. I have a purpose. I think without my family and career, I would have given in to suicidal thoughts a long time ago.

[Blue_Bird]

I'm stable and doing very well. Just earned my first 6 credits for college. When I was unstable I only made it a week through classes.

Staying on a good sleep schedule is really important to me

[RisuNeko]

I'm not by any means stable yet (I cry all the time, my room is in shambles, I sleep in too late, I have no friends, my mood is all whacked out, I'm depressed, I'm basically failing a class that I need to get into grad school next year etc.), but I'm working on it and I totally think it's worth trying to work toward your ambitions. I'm working toward going to grad school and getting a good career and eventually having a family.

[dshantel]

My first semester of school was great. I felt as though I was on top of the world. I could do anything. It was easy. Not stressed about nothing. The second semester however was a disaster. I went into a bad depression, didn't want to get out of bed. I missed 2 weeks of class pretty much and then I gave up and dropped ask if my classes. Biggest mistake ever. I've now decided that I'm just going to try to keep it low key for now. I'll be starting cosmetology school next month. I've always loved doing hair. I just hope this goes well this time around.

[RisuNeko]

I had a similar experience. I had a rockin' first semester meeting all sorts of new people and feeling on top of the world, but when finals and then winter term hit I hit a low like I'd never known before and it lasted until the end of the next summer. I kept at it though and graduated cum laude with honors in my department. (I was the only person to graduate with honors that year).

[scatterbrained04]

Normal life is possible. I'm a mother and have a good career. There are obsticles. Just means we have to work harder at it than other people. A good pdoc is very important. A good therapist is helpful. Just have to make the decision to do what you need to do to get and stay stable. There are absolutely times when things fall apart still. Just have to dust yourself off and reach out to the right people for help. And be compliant and really listen to what they have to say. Too often meds don't get taken, advice doesn't get taken, and then we sit and wonder why we're not getting better??

I'm mostly compliant with meds, but now I need to start doing all the other things my pdoc keeps telling me to do! Like light therapy, excercise, etc. I think if I actually do those things after the past 3 years of ignoring him, he might fall out of his chair!

[lunaticfringe]

I think a regular life is possible but it doesn't have to be happening NOW, you know? For me personally, I am taking some time for recovery and applying for SSDI & SSI benefits. My goal is to attain and maintain stability so that I can go back to school and hopefully one day work at least part time. I'm getting married next year as well and having a family is important to me. We can do anything that normal people can do we just have some extra stuff to deal with.

[bipolar2007]

I am doing well - I am married, good job and father of 3. Things have not always been good. When manic I felt my career was in high gear, but my marriage suffered. Today I have a strong relationship with my wife, but I would like to accelerate more in my career.

Your lifestyle needs to be a balance. A tattoo on my back reminds me that living with bipolar you must stay balanced. The tattoo is a chinese symbol (yin yang) representing balance.

Eventhough things are good now I fear that they may change for the worse. I get past this fear by doing those things that keep me balanced. (i.e., medications, exercise, etc.)

I had success as a young woman, getting a degree, having a career and marriage. But it all fell apart when i was 29 and got divorced and couldn't work anymore. I was poor for a few years and it was hell. Then i managed to get private disability benefits out of my former employer and things improved. Over the next fifteen years i bought a condo and got a dog and things are quite nice now at 48. Ups and downs. Hang in there!

[RisuNeko]

I'm glad you're doing better now! Sorry you had to struggle. You're story gives me hope though if things break down for me in the future in my grand plans of a career and marriage.