[260Rogers]

I could really use a friend right now. I am in the process of being diagnosed BP. It’s really bothering me. It’s all I think about day and night. It’s all I research. It makes me angry. I cry all of the time about this too. I feel so helpless. How do you come to terms with a BP diagnosis. How do you keep on living happily? I took myself off of olanzapine 2 weeks ago.

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I had a hard time coming to terms with my diagnosis as well, but once I did I felt a lot better. Why did you stop the medication?

[LettinG0]

I'm so sorry you are struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis. It is a kick in the gut. Acceptance is a part of the process. Just know there is treatment and hope available.

[scatterbrained04]

I'm sorry you are feeling poorly *hugs*

I'm not going to lie, at times being bipolar just plain sucks. It's frustrating. It requires a lot of extra effort and some lifestyle changes. But it's not my whole life. I still work. No one except those closest to me even know about it. In a way, I was kind of relieved by my diagnoses because it explained a lot. It took away a little bit of the guilt I had for certain things I did or certain ways I felt. Somedays I still struggle with acceptance, but at the same time, acceptance allows me to focus on trying to stay well.

[seoultous]

Learning more about bipolar is key. Don't believe everything on the internet, it is not a life sentence. Yes, it is a chronic condition. Yes, you will have to make certain lifestyle choices when you would rather not if you want to stay stable.

I have found that a good therapist and good psychiatrist are key to helping me come to terms with and manage bipolar.

I am sorry you are struggling.

[Marilyn2016]

Originally Posted by 260Rogers

I could really use a friend right now. I am in the process of being diagnosed BP. It’s really bothering me. It’s all I think about day and night. It’s all I research. It makes me angry. I cry all of the time about this too. I feel so helpless. How do you come to terms with a BP diagnosis. How do you keep on living happily? I took myself off of olanzapine 2 weeks ago.

Oh, bless your heart. I've been there. Please PM if you ever need a friend. It's very difficult to deal with, but there are so many nice people on here. Hang in there, being bipolar doesn't have to be the end of the world. You are way more than a diagnosis!

And if I have any advice in the process, it's try not to rip yourself off meds without telling your doctor.

Take care, and welcome to the bipolar world!

[ComfortablyNumb5]

((Hugs)) just take care of yourself. See your tdoc and pdoc regularly and give meds a try. At least a stabilizer. I've had a lot of times when I wallowed in my own pain. And it does come back from time to time if I'm under stress. I just cry it out, take a PRN benzo, or sleep it off and hope tomorrow is better. Hope is all we have.

[Imah]

You come to terms with it by either denying it, and going on in life and maybe or maybe not having to re-face it via professionals. I denied it once, twice, thrice, four - then at 5 just had lost so much a lightbulb went on and I really faced the truth. (my low point) But with a good professional health care team I am happier then in the rest of my life. (age 50) I went through a lot of rough times to get here though.

You face it by understanding you cannot simply remove a limb because you don't like it. Bipolar is like a limb, you can run and run and run - but you carry your arms and legs with you, and bipolar comes along for the ride to.

You can't hide from your mind. Love yourself - diagnosis hasn't changed who you are, but it may give you the tools you need to better cope with lifes challenges.

[crescent_moon]

I was only recently diagnosed and it took a while to come to terms with the diagnosis. It was a welcome relief because finally I had some answers but admitting to myself that something in my brain was misfiring did not come easily. But its nothing to be ashamed of. You can still live a good life with the help of an awesome therapist and psychiatrist as someone else mentioned. Hang in there

[4infinity]

Love and prayers to you! I too have been diagnosed bipolar and I hate it, but, other than a great therapist and pdoc I keep a bp journal. I'm not a journaling kind of person but once I got started it's so easy and the benefits I get are immeasurable! Its blind sided you and it will take time to wrap your head around it. I'm believing a balanced life is just around the corner! Be gentle with yourself and smile even when you don't feel like it, it's very contagious!!!

[43camt]

Honestly, when I believed it, i thought my diagnosis was the worst thing that could possibly happen. But i followed my docs instructions with the meds, and here i am a year and a half later, just living ny life as anybody else is. About 3 months after my diagnosis, i was back to being "myself".

He had me on zyprexa (olanzapine) initially (this was tough, as i was emotionless and constantly eating all the time), and then put me on lithium which i am still on a year later.

I consider myself lucky to have seen the doc when i did because he really got me back to being myself.

Keep your head up, soon you will be feeling like yourself again and will be wondering why some people think bp is a big deal