[Elbows]

Hi Forum...

I have recently been diagnosed with type I Bipolar. I'm a 24 year old guy from the UK and have been suffering from this illness for 6 years I think, with some extreme episodes... always disrupting my life. I lost friends, family relationships, jobs, education opportunities to bipolar. My manic episodes send me into obsessive, confident states where I can be a really funny enthusiastic guy to being angry or upset in the same 10 minutes. I have spent money I don't have, taken drugs, had reckless encounters... most of the common things that people in a manic episode do. I was always trying to find an escape to my uncontrollable mind. I won't go into my whole story, as it is hard for me to talk about.

I joined this forum to find some support in getting through this. I started Depakote (500mg) last week and I am feeling very alone in this. Just wanted to say Hi and if you guys know any good support sites, please let me know. Thank you..

[Keegan2015]

Hey! Welcome to PC. I'm in a similar situation -- early 20s and recently diagnosed (6 months ago). You're definitely not alone, frequenting these forums will show you that lots of other people are learning how to live with their BP diagnosis.

[CopperStar]

Late 20s here, just started Zyprexa for BP1 with psychotic features. You're definitely not alone. Welcome to the forums!

[Elbows]

Cheers guys. I havê recently moves to Brasil to be with my wife and it is nota easy to find English speaking therapists, so right now I don't really have anyone to speak to about my what is going on for me. It is going to be great on this forum for me. I'm already enjoying reading through the posts. Nice to meet you

Welcome to the disorder!

[~Christina]

Welcome to PC, You will find tons of information and lots of support

[Shadesofdark]

You will find plenty of support here and will not be alone! Welcome to PC

[BipolaRNurse]

Welcome to PC! Like other members have said, there is a LOT of support to be found here. You are not alone!

[Crazy Hitch]

You're at the right place for support!

Great to see you here

[Elbows]

Thank you guys. I'm hopeful. Gonna check-in here most days. I'm currently living in Brazil and I don't really have anyone to talk to about what is going on in my head. Thank you for the support!

[xxblackrosesxx]

welcome to pc. I am tool newly dx

[simon007]

I see everyone saying your at the right place yet no one has offered you support. I have had bp 1 for 8 years with 4 hospital admissions. Listen mate **** happens for a reason, bipolar really means your becoming spiritually awoken, it's a gift when you learn to live with it. You are becoming self realized so don't sweat it, just know you are special and manic episodes are all about dying in the ego. Eventually if you leave a manic episode unchallenged you will achieve Christ consciousness and this is what the second coming really means. You are becoming an enlightened being. All the best.

[elevatedsoul]

im 25 and looking for support
psych central is a great place

[Capriciousness]

Hey! Join our awesome club! Club Bipolar. Everyone single one of stumbled in here with the same reasons

THIS is the support site you need. Seriously. Stick around here. Just read and post and read and post and you will find yourself learning more about this disorder than you can find elsewhere.

I will have to recommend my blog to you to. It is meant to help people just like you and us.

Glad you're here!

[BastetsMuse]

I'm 53 years old and have been diagnosed since I was 32.... that's a long time....so my biggest set of advice for you is to take your meds and be honest with your psychiatrist. The disease giveth and it taketh away....there is joy to be found so long as you are responsible about managing the disease. I mean it!

[lunaticfringe]

Welcome! I'm 26 and was diagnosed at 18. You're in good company here.

I'm sorry, but welcome to PC! You are amongst others like you! Tell us more of yourself! Can't wait to hear.

I wish I was diagnosed at your age. I didn't get diagnosed until I was 34 (this year) and in hindsight I realize I probably could have avoided the messy chaotic substance and sex fueled disaster my twenties turned out to be. Live and learn.

[Elbows]

Thank you for all the welcomes!

OK a bit more about me.

I have lived in Brazil now for almost a year now with my wife who is Brazilian. We met over in the UK during university. I came here hoping to continue my studies, but I am thoroughly enjoying teaching English (which was just a stepping-stone initially while I settled here) and have managed to get into a decent school here in Sao Paulo. I am having a great time here, especially as I am able to be with my other-half... I guess I thought being away from my past and with love around me my illness would go away. But it has been tearing up our relationship and my health (physical health included) and I finally took the step to get some help for it.

I was previously diagnosed with BP a few years back, but I never proceeded with the treatment as my episodes really get a hold of me (depressive I can barely get out of the house, and manic I thought I was feeling confident and OK).

I am a musician at heart, and this is my strongest skill (I am unable to remember peoples' names, but I can remember an entire symphony or album after listening a few times... weird yeah!?!?!). I hope once I get the BP under control I can get back into music recreationally. Basically, the only focus for me in a day is to find strength to plan and go to work, and to do the best job I can when I'm there... nothing else right now. Learning Portuguese is keeping me busy too, and it is a good thing to obsess about during my manic phases. I hope to start a blog soon to share my experience as a 'gringo' out here. It has been an exciting change for me.