[tonette723]

Hey there. I'm Tonette. Not really my real name, but I think some of you got that.

Bipolar I, diagnosed 2 years ago late in life. I'm now 40 and feel like I have had to start my life all over. THIS SUCKS! I almost like it better not knowing what was going on.

I have support from friends and family, but they don't get it. I don't have many people I can talk to that understand what this is like. I am getting frustrated!

[Skeezyks]

Hello tonette723: Since this is your first post here on PC... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[bioChE]

Well, you found the people to talk to who understand completely. Feel free to share; we're anonymous by design, and we all have issues like yours.

I have one friend IRL who has BP. Other than that nobody can really relate. Not my wife, my kids, my parents, or my friends. It's much easier to share here and be understood.

[tonette723]

I have to apologize, this got posted 2x! OOPS

[manicmoonrise]

Hi Tonette, welcome. I don't have Bipolar Disorder, but I am familiar with the feeling you're experiencing. I'm 30, and about 4 years ago I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, and ADHD. Suddenly I felt crippled, as though before I knew about my diagnoses there was hope if I just tried harder- and now I know I've been a slave to my own mind and nothing I do will cure me of it- the best I will ever do is alleviate my symptoms, but I would always struggle with them. I hated looking in the mirror and seeing who I "really" was: a crazy person who will never succeed. I had a mental breakdown and quit school because I felt there was no point. I became suicidal and was put into an outpatient program at a mental health institution. Every day for a month I was put in a room with a dozen people who were similar to me. For 8 hours a day we just took turns talking about how we felt about our past, present, and future; our thoughts and fears. It was there that I met my best friend. She has the same illnesses I do, and was in medical school. She gave me the hope and encouragement I needed to make it through my own education and stay in therapy (and stay on my medication. I've flushed my meds down the toilet a few times). Slowly I came to accept and understand my illnesses. In many cases, the best way to break through that dense membrane of despair is to find people who suffer from the same illnesses you do. You'll find that support and acceptance you so desperately need. After a while, I came to understand my life as not one in need of "starting over," but one that was finally beginning. It's better that I'm equipped with the tools I need to truly help myself than to just wander around in the dark for the rest of my life. I hope this helps, even just a little.

[Standup2me]

It might sound strange to say, but you will soon understand when I say
Welcome home

[Wild Coyote]

Welcome to PC!

You will find lots of information a support here.

Please jump in anywhere and/or start a new thread anytime.
Make yourself at home here!


WC

[Daonnachd]

I want to offer you a welcome from me, too, even though I'm otherwise pretty quite.