Questions: Bipolar Version 2

I'm sure I do sometimes but I try really hard not to; this happened to me. I had the genetics stacked against me (my father, some cousins and my maternal grandmother) and one of my siblings or I was bound to get it. I just was the one who did. But in the whole world and life I just happened to get this. I think the only answer to why me is why NOT me?

What is the worst part of IP?

The beds. It's so hard for me to fall asleep there. Also, I'm accustomed to falling asleep with the tv on in my room.

How many times have you been IP?

I think ten times now. Sheesh. I have trouble remembering all of them.

Is there anything you like about having bp?

I like the 2 days of hypomania I get before things go south (full-fledged mania). I clean my apartment and get so much done.

What is your longest IP stay?

15 days.

Do you go to the same hospital/unit or does it vary with different admissions?

when I lived with my family, it was always the same one (and not only that, it always used to be the same nurse, nurse rachel)

of course now I live somewhere else, so use a diffrent unit.

believe it or not, I do sort of miss rachel.

but it's okay. I have a diffrent team now and i'm sure i'll learn to like them just as much.

question: has someone ever suggested they think you needed to go to hospital, but you yourself decided you didn't need to go, and would be fine?

Yes, my Mum thought I should be IP but I pushed on through the depression. A month later though I became psychotically manic and was hospitalised.

Have you ever run away from hospital?

Not possible at my hospital since it is a locked unit on the 6th floor. Although when I was in the psych ER I saw a man with dementia and agitation nearly slip out a door behind someone else. Lots of alarms and people running and then a security guard was at the desk watching him (I was there 30 hours so lots of time to observe things). And I've seen someone from the unit next door run into my unit but quickly be returned to theirs.

Do you increase how often you see your therapist when you are not doing well?

To get things going again I'll answer my own question: Yes, I increase to twice a week when things are not going well.

Do your therapist and pdoc ever communicate?

My pdoc and therapist communicate when one of them has a concern they want the other to know about - their communication often ends in an IP stay.

What is your favorite food?

Favorite food anything Mexican especially fajitas.

Whats your favorite hobby?

Playing or writing music.

When you want to give yourself a treat what do you do?

Go for pedicure (happens like 1-2 times year), go out for dinner or just have an ice cream treat.

What's your regular form of exercise ?

Walking along the beach or swimming when the weather is warm enough.

How often do you exercise?

Depends on the temperature outside and my motivation. Not nearly as often as I should.

Do you have dental issues from your meds?

Yes I have had a lot of dental issues due to my meds.

What is your favorite sport?

My favorite sport is hockey, followed very closely by college football.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

My Concerta makes me clench my teeth a bit but that goes away once the med wears off. Other than that, no.

How well do you think your spouse/significant other/best friend understands your illness?

night person.

always have, and probably always will.

if you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?

My kittens because they have a really good life and are always happy.

Do you take vitamins/supplements?

Just iron

Ever tried a naturopath for BP?

No.....I tend to be of the philosophy that alternative medicine that's been proven effective is no longer called "alternative" it's just called medicine.

What is your current biggest BP challenge?

Mixed episode with hallucinations that are still hanging in despite a big increase in my AP. The world is WAY too noisy with dreadful music.

What symptom would a magic pill that could fix one thing right this minute do for you?

For me it would stop the head noise. And my "magic pill" aka increased AP seems to be working finally so that's good.

Do you wear glasses and do your meds have visual side effects?

I wear glasses. Haldol gave me blurry vision but I don't take it any longer.

Do you have any physical health issues that you believe were caused by Bipolar?