Questions: Bipolar Version 2

I can be. Loud sharp sounds like plates banging together or a child screaming are hard to tolerate but on the flip side when I'm in a mood I crave loud music in my ears.

Q. Can you tolerate amusement park rides?

Heavy metal when up. 80's music when down....I am rarely even

I haven't been on an amusement park ride other than a merry-go-round in many years. I tolerated that ok although it was too loud. I am afraid of heights so generally avoid amusement parks as a waste of money since I don't do so many things.

What is the hardest household task for you to keep up with?

None really. Either everything is too much or nothing is.

Yes, but I don't think the queueing is worth it. Nor is the experience itself worth the time or the money, really.

Does your perception or your mood change more rapidly or first (do you notice, or are you confronted (by others) with, your delusions or your happiness/euphoria first)?

And/or:
Do you ever get seasick?

I notice first but am still working on noticing at the first sign. I did that for the first time in April and totally prevented a mania.

A huge percentage of people with bipolar get migraines. Do you?

1. I almost always perceive it happening before anyone else and do my best to make it unnoticeable but that doesn't always work. At the end of a work day quite often the family sees the true me as it's such an effort to hide it all day.

2. Never used to get sea sick but sure do now. I pop a gravol if I must go on a boat.

3. Rarely get migraines. (I know I answered 2 posts but think I was typing this as other submitted so thought I'd answer instead of having 2 questions going--sorry for long post!!)

Q. Favourite vacation choice or relaxation choice?

Anything at the beach for me - I live close so I get to go early in the morning and spend a relaxing day without too much hassle.

Does the weather affect your moods (depression/mania)?

Depression in fall/winter, mania in June (but not since starting Clozaril in 2016!).

Have you ever kept in touch with a therapist after therapy was over?

I have only ever had one therapist. He has been my one and only therapist for the past 10 years.

How many therapists have you ever had?

4 that have lasted more than a few weeks. One that lasted a few months. Several that didn't make it that long (4?). I either go for a long time (11 years with the current one) or not at all.

What is the longest relationship you've had with a therapist or pdoc?

1 hour. Met him Tuesday, didn't go well, shall move on and look for someone else.

Q. Is it typical to have a period of denial after diagnosis and how long does it usually last?

I think it is very normal and how long it lasts depends on the person. I was the person who said "I have bipolar, don't it?" so I got rid of the denial mostly before diagnosis but I had a kind of weird path to diagnosis which played a role in that. It was about 2 years from when I was clearly bipolar (much longer since it was possible to see it) until I spoke those words.

How long did you go undiagnosed after you could have been?

About 8 yrs. from the first I was Dx'd BP. I was DX., Undiognosed, rediognosed, Undiognosed, and rediognosed several time.

What was/is your other DX before BP?

MDD, PTSD, GAD

What symptoms/experience made you say "I have bipolar" and mean it?

When the hypomanic symptoms became text book. Could put a check mark beside almost all of them. That was a light bulb moment.

Q. How many manic/hypomanic episodes have you had?

Far too many to count.

Do you believe you are a courageous person?

Nope. I write things I'm scared to say.

What is your biggest challenge from BP?

The sliver of denial I still have.

Q. whats the most helpful book you've read on BP?

Welcome to the Jungle by Hilary Smith

Q: If you could swap bipolar for plain old depression, would you?

Nope.

Q would you?

Nope, as crazy as it is, I'd keep it over the alternative. Why not keep life interesting.

Where you initially diagnosed as depressed?

Yes, with PTSD and GAD. PTSD made me hard to diagnose.

Do you have a phobia?

Getting stuck on an elevator.

Q. Does your place of employment know your diagnosis?

Yes, well to a point. They know I have a mental illlness of some description.

Do you tell your close friends you've had psychosis?

I have not had psychosis.

Q. When travelling what impact does jet lag have on your BP?