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Hi everyone. I am not going to go into detail about my illness but have been 'diagnosed' with bipolar, whatever that means nowadays. This is the first time I have joined a forum and I'm not too familiar with the etiquette here. Just looking for real life experiences that I can relate to. I'm recently medicated- (4ish) months on lamictal and gabapentin. Have been seeing a psych for about a year now. Im close to 30 years old and Feeling pretty lost still. Wondering if anyone here can discuss what their depression and 'manic' episodes are like and how you find realistic ways to cope. I'm very successful in my career and have two great kids (7 and 4) but since I was diagnosed I feel like things are worse than ever and I'm not sure if this is all in my head. Thanks for the input!

hi joy,
there is a lot of good info here and in other threads . YOu can search thru the forums at the above links for certain topics.
Tell us more about yourself.
and welcome to the forums!
bizi

Welcome to the forums. Find a topic that fits and fire away...or start another one of your own if something in particular is bothering you. Are you BP1 or BP2?

My depressive episodes can get pretty bad. I have zero energy, thoughts come to a crashing halt, motivation is almost non-existent, things I used to find joy from don't touch me anymore and I get SI. It is very hard to function, showering is a mission and work incredibly difficult until the point I am hospitalised if need be.

Hypomania can be euphoric and amazing fun but I drive like a crazy woman, talk fast and act a little 'off'. Dysphoric hypomania is hell. I am agitated, talk and think fast, can't concentrate or focus, get very restless and feel very low but buzzed. I only occasionally get manic and when I do it is usually euphoric. I feel like a god and in fact think I am one. It is a super-sized version of hypomania and can land me in hospital as my thinking and acting can cause problems.

The worst state to be in is mixed (a combo of mania and depression). This is what usually lands me in hospital as I get full of rage, suicidal and out of control.

Right now I am IP due to PTSD and mania, although the mania is under control now. The PTSD however, is not. Been IP a month now due to safety issues. Think I am slowly getting better and should be home in a week.

What are your episodes like?

I'm not sure anything can project the outcome of an episode.
You're seeing the Pdoc. Taking your meds. All the right things. Good.
If you feel mania or a building of something inside, sleep is important. Try not to give in to the staying up day & night see the dr. Maybe for sleep meds. Not sleeping for me makes the episode heighten.
Welcome.

yes there are head games going on now ... you need to remember you are the same person you were before ... in my case an forced inpatient stay gave me a black and white start ... for others it may have been a gradual thing .... you have not changed you have just learned more about yourself ...

It is usually worth getting a second opinion to relieve or confirm ... any doubts you have ... this is a forever disease ... so before starting down the med path you need to know and accept if you really are bipolar ... this is hurdle number one ... accepting... from there it gets earier to continue with treatment ...

please continue to post .. share .. and ask questions as many here are ready to give support and ideas to help you ...

welcome to PC ... if any of our short hand "bp . pdoc , ect" are unknown to you please ask ...

.... Tigger

welcome to the forum.

you have certainly come to the right place.

lots of support and information here

feel free to jump in with your own questions or replies to other people's threads

Welcome to PC.

Please make yourself at home.

Lots of information and support here.


WC

Welcome to PC!