I'm taking this idea from vertigo since he never posted it.

I don't think most of us know each other very well. I mean, some of us PM each other and talk to each other in threads, but it'd be nice if we could meet everyone who posts in the bipolar forum.

So....

The purpose of this thread is to talk to the person above you in hopes that you talk with someone you don't know well. Feel free to talk about a post/thread of theirs that you like, compliment them, offer support, etc..

Also, feel free to ask a question to the person below you.

Let's keep things positive!

I'll post an example

---------

Hi Blue!

I really like your The Bipolar "Let's Get to Know Each Other" Thread. It's a lot of fun to read. I appreciate the thread.

I'm sorry to hear that your bipolar meds aren't working out for you. I hope you're being kind to yourself.

[tydygy]

Hi bluebicycle,

Wicked awesome thread. I see you are in Boston. It's almost 07:00 there while it's almost 05:00 here. I'm glad you're trying to bring people together. I know I will feel more open.

I see you have BPD and ADHD GAD and OCD. I have BPD and ADHD too...but I have not been taking anything for ADHD now as my pdoc says its a layered approach.

I currently take Prozac and Vraylar....Valium as a PRN. I've had GeneSight testing done and update a thread on Vraylar progress because it's new.

nice to meet you.

How's the weather where you're at? it's 88F out now and will get to 113F t0day. It's hot. I'm inside in air conditioning.

[Woolly Bugger]

I'll play. Tydygy, I know nothing about you, but you seem like a nice person. My father lives in Arizona. He moved there about twenty years ago, and I don't think I've seen him since. We rarely communicate other than by the occasional email. Twice a year or so, we talk on the phone. I've been meaning to go see him, but, to be honest, I don't want to spend the money, and he's a difficult person to get along with. I feel guilty. He's 80 now and time could be running short. He talks about how he loves the dry heat in Arizona. Have you lived there all your life, or do you relocate from some other part of the country?

[Ocean Swimmer]

I'm from California and Costa Rica.
I struggle more from side effects of meds than the disorder.
Recently stopped Lorazepam. Then Effexor.
Happy to report weight loss and regaining orgasm.

[Cavegirl]

Hello Everyone, and Ocean Swimmer up above my head!

Ocean Swimmer, it's wonderful the orgasms are coming back. Woo Hoo! I lost my sex drive sometime last autumn, but I am now thinking it may be due to a very recent discovery of an underactive thyroid. I'm thinking years of taking depakote and I just now switched back to lithium may be the culprit of the hypothyroidism, but I can't get in with a gp til Sept. The unending woes of psych meds.

I'm diagnosed Bipolar 1, BPD, and GAD. I bounce back and forth between forums and I can't help but feel I'm cheating somehow. I'm getting over a manic phase I believe, and haven't been on PC in a few days, I actually opted for sleep!

Im a NYC girl that relocated to the midwest 8 years ago...I miss NYC and my family just about every second of every day. But, here I have my husband and stepdaughter. That's just the way it goes I guess.

hi cavegirl,

for some reason, i always thought you were from sweden

i have absolutely no idea why... really random asumption

[Kia1025]

Hello Shattered Sanity!

This is kind of weird I don't know what to say!

It is nice that you post to others.
I am glad to see that this site is something that you enjoy doing. Seeing as you are a 3 year member. I really enjoy being apart of this group it has helped me with my feelings about my disorder.

hi Kia1025

yes i love this site, and welcome!.

how did you find out about it?

[Kia1025]

I have an assignment at school where I am supposed to interact in an online group of my choice so my teacher gave us this website. I decided since I have bipolar disorder this would be the perfect once to use. Thank you for the welcome! I love it here but I guess I get worried I will say something wrong to someone.

Kia as long as you are kind and non judgemental you will be fine.

I'm BP, BPD and have PTSD. I live in a mixed state rapid cycling and its exhausting. I'm from Canada. ATM it's been 3 days since I showered and got out of bed. But tomorrow who knows? I don't even feel like going in my pool which is my favourite thing and good for me and gives me a jolt of vitamin D from the sunshine. I'm extremely sensitive to Meds which makes treatment difficult. I just got married on May 28. This was exhausting and once again I've talked too much.

[Cavegirl]

Originally Posted by Shawkat2009

Kia as long as you are kind and non judgemental you will be fine.

I'm BP, BPD and have PTSD. I live in a mixed state rapid cycling and its exhausting. I'm from Canada. ATM it's been 3 days since I showered and got out of bed. But tomorrow who knows? I don't even feel like going in my pool which is my favourite thing and good for me and gives me a jolt of vitamin D from the sunshine. I'm extremely sensitive to Meds which makes treatment difficult. I just got married on May 28. This was exhausting and once again I've talked too much.

Hi Shawkat!

I definitely don't think you talked too much. I feel that way a lot too. Maybe it's an insecurity? Or maybe it's from hiding your feelings from others. For me it's a combination of the two. I'm just learning it feels really good just to let it all out. Here on PC there's usually at least one person listening and willing to show support. Maybe you will be in your pool tomorrow. Why even bother showering then!

[Cavegirl]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

hi cavegirl,

for some reason, i always thought you were from sweden

i have absolutely no idea why... really random asumption

I find that hysterical for some reason. Thank you for making me giggle.
Not that there is anything wrong with Sweden or for you thinking that I'm from Sweden!

I'm born and raised in NYC, of Greek decent, black hair, brown eyes, fair but warm toned skin. A lot of people mistake me for Italian. I suppose there's a first time for everything!

Hi Cavegirl, you sound pretty! I've always wanted to visit NYC. It seems like a very fast paced world over there.

I hope I'm doing this right. My real name is Tiffany. I'm 41, have naturally blonde curly hair and green eyes. I was born, raised and have stayed in the California Bay Area. I love living in California. My parents live right down the street from me and I'm so glad we are able to see each other whenever we want. I'm married for 10 years and have 2 children. My oldest son is 19, he's from my first marriage. My youngest son is 16, and he's from my husbands first marriage but his mom ran off when he was 3, and I've raised him since. We have 3 dogs (a giant German Sheperd and 2 cockapoos).

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

Hi Elsamars, you are one of the kindest people I've had the privilege to meet on the Internet. You always have the kindest words for people and have made me feel much better about things on many occasions.

My real name is Lauren. I was born and raised in North Carolina but I live in Western Sweden. I moved to Europe several years ago to be with my second husband, who is Swedish. I'm of Norwegian and German decent, with blue eyes and cotton candy pink colored hair. I also have a lot of tattoos. I was diagnosed Bipolar I this past spring. I've struggled a lot with our healthcare system, which has made getting help a struggle sometimes.

[Gabyunbound]

Hi ElsaMars,

I've always admired how consistently supportive you are, you're always there for people here and have a great deal of empathy.

I actually work in the Bay Area (I guess it's considered that?) at Lucille Packard Hospital (Stanford's Children's Hospital) in Palo Alto. Live really far down south, though, so have a very long commute. I just moved to CA from Boston a year ago. Love it here. Glad to know there are others in CA. I was born and raised in Washington, DC, in a neighborhood called Adams Morgan.

I have medium to dark (though the CA sun is lightening it) hair and blue-green eyes. And I love the support this forum provides!

Hi Gaby! Thank you for your kind words (and thanks to AnxiousValkyrie too!). I worked in Palo Alto/Stanford for several years back in the 90's. (At Macy's in the Stanford Mall). It's a BEAUTIFUL area. I'm glad you are enjoying it here. I can imagine that working in a Children's hospital is rewarding, but also very difficult. I admire anyone who works with children. They are so special and precious.

[hopeless2015]

Hi Gaby, thanks for your posts here on PC and joining in on the get to know you thread!!

My real name is Tracy and I'm 45 years old and live in central Illinois. I was dx a year go this April and have struggled ever since both with the diagnosis and a horrible depression I can't seem to shake. I have a grown son who is 24 and I've been married 16 years. I'm trying to keep working through all my struggles though it's been quite a challenge for me. I'm loving this thread and getting know others a little bit through it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Hi Tracy, and every one. My real name is Jennifer. I'm 41 and have one child who is 20 and still lives with me. I live in Washington state the eastern side, right next to Idaho. I have long dark highlighted hair and brown eyes. I hope to move to Eugene' Oregon some day. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 36.. went into a psychosis, it has been quite a struggle but here I am, finally stable.

I think this is an excellent idea!

[letsgogh]

Hello everyone. My name is Nicole and I was officially diagnosed two and a half years ago. I'm 23 and live in the US. I'm still in school. I have one semester left. I don't know how I managed to get this far but I'll be done soon!

This is a lovely idea.

I've always wanted to visit Washington and Oregon, Jennifer, seems beautiful. I live in the southwest.

[Imnotcrazy1]

HI I'm nyna I'm 32 and from the Midwest been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I'm a stay at home mom. I'm starting therapy soon and just started a new regimen of medication i hope they will help.

Hi Nicole congratulations on your schooling you give me hope that I can live my life and not let this disorder control me.

[fishin fool]

Hi Nicole, Hope I am doing this right.
My name is Leon and I am 53 years old, born and raised in N.J. still live here.
My parents and grandparents came here from Poland.
I knew I had depression for many years but found out I had bipolar about 3 years ago.
I have three grown children the youngest of which is 20. I am happily divorced and
living with my wonderful girlfriend who has been my rock and great support.
I obviously love fishing and all things saltwater, love the life style.
So many people to compliment on this site I wouldn't know where to start.
So I will just say thank you to everyone for making this a wonderful place.
Its great that you have hung in there in school and I wish you lots of luck and success.

[Nammu]

Howdy Leon. I'd love to experience things saltwater, I've only been on an ocean beach a hand full of times and never got to venter further than the docks.

My name is Pamela I currently reside in the music capital of TX but I'm moving back to Mn next month. Grew up there and had short stays in WI and NM. I have a hodgepodge of interests and they don't always compliment each other. A case could be made that my existence is an oxymoron.

[Daonnachd]

Heya, Pamela. I must reassure you, not that you expressed doubts, that the ocean is a magical place. I don't care for the sand (it's gets places it shouldn't), but the sounds and smells of the sea coast set it apart.

And forgive my ignorance, but I don't know what is considered the music capital of TX. I'm amazed at the variety of places you've lived. I have lived my whole life in northern California, except for two years in Spain studying and teaching.

Eric is my name, though I don't like it. Too long a story, so don't ask. I am a teacher. I was one until a severe episode forced me out of the classroom. I've been out for several years, but have just applied to teach for an online charter school. Wish me luck.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Eric (sorry) did you teach Spanish? I wanted to be a teacher right up until the end of my freshman year of college when I found and fell in love with occupational therapy.

My name is Jen. I live in Appalachia. It is beautiful here. I went to grad school where it was pretty flat and I have loved it here even more since I learned to really appreciate what I had.

This site has saved me in the last year and a half. I don't think I could have survived last spring through February without the support here. I really appreciated WildflowerChild pushing me to give up making excuses and going IP after months of dancing around it (hopefully she'll see this).

Thank you all.