[kimber1234]

So I am too embarrassed to tell my family, doc or therapist (people who pretend to understand) but I wanted to get the forum opinion on how to proceed.

I must have been hypomanic for a good 3-6 months as I remember needing less sleep, being able to get so much done, and SPENDING MONEY; I thought I had just got my inspiration back and creativity back. If I was full-blown manic, my friends, my hubby, and I would have recognized it
There is more detail here, but it is really irrelevant to what's going on now.

NOW, as always, I'm faced with the consequences when I am not in a place to handle it. I'm not depressed, but I'm definitely not "normal;" I'm more what my stable self is than I was. The problem: I spent over $6000 on credit cards I had no business getting (20% interest rates)- they're maxed. I kept impulsively stealing money from my husband's cash drawer to pay the min. payment due on them. I recognized the stealing was going on about 2 months ago where I noticed that I was truly having a problem and not just "being me". I stopped the stealing and can't afford the payments due on them. Now I'm getting the calls from credit providers. I have been avoiding them, blocking them whenever necessary, but they keep calling. I can only avoid them so long.

I feel CAN'T tell my husband, doc, or therapist. I just feel like I can't. I have one friend I can open up to but I'm not comfortable doing it right now...

What have others done in the past? Please help...

[CANDC]

Hi Kimber, I am sorry you have suffered what is a very common thing with the bipolar community, cycling. People go through depression and mania phases. At the time they may seem normal because there is a tendency to value the mania phases more than the depressive phases. But as you have seen ending up with massive credit bills is not a good thing.

Before you have bill collectors at the door, have you thought it might be better to disclose and have people help you out of your phase and your financial troubles? Avoiding either issue will not make it better.

Put a credit freeze on your credit rating service so that you cannot make impulse decision without lengthy consideration.

Have your psych doc reevaluate your meds to see if there is a need for something else to get you stable.

Many people here at PC find they can share these feelings and what they are going through with the confidence that people go through similar things and can empathize. So many forums are offered as well as Chatrooms (after you have 5 posts or comments on others posts). Anxiety (including social anxiety) is at 8PM EST Wednesday.

You can also be an active member in other ways like supporting others in their questions, reading articles and posts http://forums.psychcentral.com that are applicable to your area of concern.

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[Sesiley]

I had a manic whee I was stealing from walmart, spending money I didn't have, and started stripping after I already had a job. Cheating..hypersexuality. it's terrible and it seems so normal and moral to you during that time...whew

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[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I say honesty is the best medicine. I know it's hard to do, but I think you have to. I had to do it with my husband with other things. I was so scared, but it was worth it in the end. Secrets have a way that are found out and it's better that you tell him than him finding out some other way. BTW, if you don't think you can talk to your T or pdoc about anything, then I would get new ones. Mine know everything and I have to have that so I get good advice and don't rely on my own judgement. Hugs.

[sweetpea122]

Im new here, but I would be honest with him and tell him sooner rather than later.