[mossanimal]

So through mood stabilizers a lot has gotten better since my BPII diagnosis... mostly in terms of irritability and handling stress in a normal way. But one aspect of myself is that some of my depressive episodes happen because I get so distracted which causes issues in many aspects of my life. Working for myself.. it is VERY important to stay on track. Before my BPII diagnosis I was considered ADHD and was put on Adderall which was a disaster. In retrospect the ADHD thing just doesn't seem like me. I get hyper focused on things in which I have a passion for (which leads to problems of it's own). I was able to get a MS in science and I've always been able to read books, etc. I can pay attention in almost any situation usually. BUT... I lose focus on important things and drop stuff on a dime to pursue a new passion. I realize now that this is often hypomania.. but it is made worse by when I get depressive and lose interest and can't focus on anything at all. It's a vicious cycle.

Anyway... that was a long prelude to this... What has worked for bipolar people in terms of staying on track in general? Does controlling the mania and depression solve these issues?? Or does an ADHD treatment help?? This is something I need to get a handle on. At this point.. I'm wondering if people like me should even be working for themselves. Of course I've never held a real job anyway. So there it is. My life as usual.

[hopeless2015]

Sometimes I have to work just 15 minutes at a time, it's all I can do...sometimes that doesn't help but usually I can manage. Yesterday was bad, I was at work but I honestly didn't accomplish much

Yeah, I like to break up my work day too. I work 15-20 minutes at a time, then take a 5-10 minute break. Not very efficient, I know, but it's better than me staring at a computer screen for 3 hours straight not being able to get ANYTHING done. Hell, sometimes I'll take a 1-hour nap if that's what I need.

When I'm depressed, I just have too much difficulty staying on track because my concentration sucks, so I don't have any real advice there. I just sulk all day.

With hypomania, I'm so distracted because I have racing thoughts. It's like there's a TV turned on in my head and someone is constantly flipping the channels.

ADHD treatment can help, but stimulants just make me hypomanic or manic (depending on how much I take at once). So you have to be wary of that too. I've tried non-stimulant treatment, but from my personal experience, they kinda suck.

[Shazerac]

I think with a lot of bipolar people are misdiagnosed at first with ADHD, major depression etc. controlling your bipolar will probably help with attention issues.

Poor concentration coupled with a lack of inspiration/motivation are pretty common in the Bipolar world. I believe it is the anti-depressant side of our mood stabilizers that are to blame. I used to read voraciously but now have a terrible time reading a book through in a timely fashion. I am an artist yet battle a lack of motivation or inspiration to be creative.

I find I must pre-sechedule my days - even if they are stay-at-home - with the activities I need to do. Otherwise I just can't bring myself to actually do or complete them. Even simple tasks like cleaning, laundry. and groceries.

I schedule myself to undertake these actions for short bursts with breaks in between.

I isolate myself from any distractions - not tv, no radio, no music. I set aside a space to do 'work' keeping me away from possible distractions like the kitchen or tv in the livingroom.

I don't get everything done but at week's end I try to celebrate and reward myself for those things I did complete or accomplish..

[LadyShadow]

I tend to get distracted easily myself. But if I can focus on something it's pretty much easy to keep my attention. That being said, without my meds I was most definitely all over the place, like coming up with fantastic and unrealistic ideas.

Like another poster said, most bipolar people do get diagnosed with ADHD or depression incorrectly at first.

[JustJace2u]

I'm easily distracted myself. Like a few others, I've started working shorter periods at a time and taking a short break away from desk. It's not ideal, but it works for me.

[mossanimal]

Thanks folks... this all sounds like me. Hypo I do a lot of the wrong thing, depression I do nothing and am drawn to laying on the couch, attempting to read but fail, internet, movies. Not much happens. Since I'm an artist/craftsman the hypo output CAN be very beneficial.. but it can also be a disaster. It's a tightrope... or a gamble.

Anyway... the treatment specifically for bipolar is new and I feel like I'm seeing a difference.. as long as I can stave off the depression. I can't take anti-depressants and I'm only on lamictal. Maybe things are working.. I just a bad, but very brief bout of depression. I'm not sure if the mood stablizer kicked that in the butt or not.. but the short duration is a good thing.

Also.. I realize that I need help with prioritizing, organizing and other means for staying on track. When you work for yourself you are on your own....

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by mossanimal

Thanks folks... this all sounds like me. Hypo I do a lot of the wrong thing, depression I do nothing and am drawn to laying on the couch, attempting to read but fail, internet, movies. Not much happens. Since I'm an artist/craftsman the hypo output CAN be very beneficial.. but it can also be a disaster. It's a tightrope... or a gamble.

Anyway... the treatment specifically for bipolar is new and I feel like I'm seeing a difference.. as long as I can stave off the depression. I can't take anti-depressants and I'm only on lamictal. Maybe things are working.. I just a bad, but very brief bout of depression. I'm not sure if the mood stablizer kicked that in the butt or not.. but the short duration is a good thing.

Also.. I realize that I need help with prioritizing, organizing and other means for staying on track. When you work for yourself you are on your own....

I was on Lamictal and Wellbutrin for awhile. A few weeks prior to my hospitalization last month my pdoc started titrating me off of the Wellbutrin because we didn't feel it was making any difference, and may have actually made things worse. Anyway, when I ended up in the hospital that pdoc decided to increase the dose of the Wellbutrin. When I saw my regular pdoc last week, for the first time since being discharged, he was like 'why on earth did this pdoc INCREASE your Wellbutrin'? Anyway, we are now back to trying to titrate me off of the Wellbutrin and keeping me on just Lamictal. I've noticed at least a slight difference with the increase of the Lamictal that seems to be helping keep away the SIs that landed me in the hospital to begin with.

[Unrigged64072835]

I usually work 45 minutes or so then take a 10-minute break. I find that it's harder when depressed; then it's usually 20-30 minutes. When I'm hypo I'm really focused.