Questions: Bipolar version

mainly ignoring me in general.

but i have been asked- are you controled by demons or even satan himself (ah the miss understandings, gotta love it)

how long did it take you to get a diagnoses

I was diagnosed with MDD and PTSD for 8 years although I did reject one suggestion that I might have BP in those years.

What is the stupidest thing anyone has ever said to you about bipolar?

That is is JUST a chemical imbalance...if it was just an imbalance they would be able it fix it the way they can fix thyroid problems. Bah

What's the most helpful thing you've been told about bipolar?

Most helpful thing I've been told:
After a year of intense mood journaling in an effort to find patterns so I could use them to manage my bipolar, we found no patterns except aconsistent lack of patterns. My therapist said, "These life events are happening, and you are trying to find a connection with your mood, but there isn't one. You have less control than you think. Your mood operates independently of you." He said I needed to accept that my mood is outside of my control and just do the basic maintenance.

I finally relinquished my futile and frustrating efforts to control bipolar with willpower.

My question:
Is your stay in the hospital a relief or horrible?

Generally I am relieved to be somewhere safe. IT has never been a horror. I was terrified but it was of nothing.

What is your worst med experience?

My worst experience was a really bad reaction to zoloft. It made the world spin around and when it did stop spinning, everything was in slow motion.

Do you ever get rebellious and stop taking your meds for a few days?

No I don't dare, I know the repercussions for that!

How many times have you thrown out all your pills?

I've never thrown them out. I've taken ones I no longer in to be destroyed.

Have you seen the movie Love & Mercy? What did you think?

I haven't seen that movie.

Are you open with your bipolar or do you hide it from everyone?

I tell practically everyone. All of my friends know I have bipolar, and I post things about it on facebook sometimes. I mentioned it in church last week. I talk to the other moms at playgroup about postpartum depression and anxiety and regular depression and anxiety. (None of them have bipolar, so the depression and anxiety are what they can relate to.) Many have said that my openness has helped them, especially in helping them recognize their own struggle and feel like treatment can help. My whole family knows, too. Yep, very open, and that support is a huge part of how I cope.

I wasn't this open when my diagnosis was just depression and anxiety because I still thought I should have or could fix it if I worked hard enough. Now I know I have bipolar and it'll never go away, so I need as much help and support as I can get.

What do you think I'd the single most powerful factor of your bipolar management?

Having support from people who love me. Without them I'd be dead or my life would have no meaning.

What is the worst side effect you've gotten (if any) from meds?

anti depressants make me manic.
including trazadone!

what makes you happy?
bizi

listening to music and posting on this site.

how often do you shop for groceries

As little as possible, especially when I am depressed or mixed. When I am hypo I shop more often. Right now I am stable but a bit low so I hate shopping and go about once a week. Sometimes I have to pop into the shops to get a few things I forgot, or I need fresh stuff so it can be twice a week. I find food shopping and cooking to be draining. I don't enjoy either at all.

Apple or Android/Windows?

Apple phones. Windows computer. Android stinks.

Best vacation?.

France in 1999 with my school I was on a French exchange trip staying with a French girl and her lovely family

Question: Have any of you guys had a Peer Support Worker (someone who has Bipolar and has lived experience)

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

No support network let alone a peer support network. My family is not close, hubby just does not understand.

Do you think that being BP dooms all long term relationships?

Not at all. I have a great relationship with my family and my husband has BP too. So it's a give and take relationship.

How many med combos have you been on?

I've lost count of how many med combos. My best guess would be 12? Maybe 15?

Are you a tv or a movie person? Why?

Neither really. I watch tv episodes on netflix sometimes and the news. I very rarely watch movies because of my attention span being limited.

Did you have signs that you might have a psychological problem when you were a child?

Yes I was 4 when my dad died. Nobody told me he died. I became very scared and rocked back and forth really hard all the time. I was a very frightened little girl.

What's the most useful coping skill you use?

Au contraire I was the one who was supposed to be the most successful....until college and everything fell apart

Did you dream of a life that was different until your diagnose?

Completely. I wanted a family and a PhD. I wanted a successful career. Out of that I had a mediocre career where I was decent at what I did but not able to keep up with the stress and so had a lot of disability and was fired twice.

what did bipolar take that you most wanted in life?

Career. Philanthropist.
Truly, BP has been the least of some of my life challenges.
I had enjoyed being me without some of the limitations brought on by years of excruciating pain (neuropathic/autoimmune) and neuromuscular conditions. BP came into play much later in life for me and feels much more manageable than other physical conditions. Maybe not. Time will tell.


WC

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