What have you accomplished in your treatment for BP (or any other MI you may have)? What do you hope to accomplish?

Me:
I've gotten rid of 95% of my irritability through taking medication and using skills I've learnt in therapy. I've also learnt how to identify signs that my mood is going to swing up or down! Though I hope to be able to learn how to handle depression better, and I hope to be able to learn how to seek help when I'm manic

[Sunflower123]

I've learned to handle SI which visits me more than not and I've learned how to stay alive for 17 years. What I'd like to learn to do better is to manage my depression so I can be more dependable and build some routines into my life.

[12AM]

I have learned that my own feelings can lie to me. Anytime I feel extremely happy or extremely sad there must be something wrong. I think BP taught me that it is important to find balance in life, in every aspect.

Some people said that life is like riding a (blue? ) bicycle, in a way to keep your balance you have to keep on moving.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've learned not to take days for granted, as I don't know which way my feelings are going to turn.

I want to learn how to manage my depression better. Doing something besides laying on bed/couch and eating lots of sweets.

[99fairies]

I've learned to trust my support system more than I trust myself. I get urges to do stupid things and my husband/ therapist/ pdoc encourage me to make the best decision possible.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

I learned that my family cares about me, and that my life is not going to be what i thought it was before college.

[Wander]

I have learned how amazing the brain can be. There is so much we don't know yet. Going manic and psychotic gives you an incredible and terrifying view on life that the 'normals' never see. Depression makes me appreciate being well and actually being able to go out, be motivated and have the energy to get off the couch.

Treatment in the form of Therapy and pdoc has been life-saving for me. I have learnt so many skills that really help when needed. Also, when the med gods are good to me I stay stable longer. Right now I have been IP for five weeks trying to find the right meds and finally in the last few days they seem to be working. Being Bipolar is teaching me to be patient, something I suck at normally.

[Wild Coyote]

I've learned a lot about the importance of adapting.
I've learned "success" can have some very unexpected meanings, as can "Life's purpose."
I've learned about human vulnerabilities as well as strengths.
I've learned "community" is important.
I've learned to never judge anyone.
I've learned Love is real and is truly what matters. Love for self and for others does make a meaningful difference. Unconditional Love trumps every other form of Love.

Great question, blue!


WC

[Guiness187055]

I've learned that no matter what I believe I have to be on meds for the rest of my life and as each day goes by I accept it more and more

[LadyShadow]

I have learned that Bipolar doesn't define who I am as a person. It's an illness that I have not what I AM. In doing that, I learned that I can live with it and cope the best I can and have accepted the good days and bad days as they come.

I can live a normal life despite having bipolar, I won't be a victim anymore.

[hermitix]

I learned that I'm not lazy, reckless, irresponsible, or a slacker who gets nothing done. Instead, I have Bipolar which causes a disruption in my functioning. Medication, therapy, "growing up", and a supportive fiance, have helped me see this.

[Naynay99]

I have learned that I am so much stronger than I think I am. I can and have survived a lot of bad crap and I have managed to handle it even when I thought it would break me. I am a survivor and a bad as$ who doesn't give up easily. I admire my own tenacity.

I have also learned that I am much weaker than I think I am. I dont actually have superpowers and I can't really do it all on my own all of the time without some help. I have started to learn to ask for help when the burden is too heavy. I'm still working on this one but I think I am getting better at recognizing that it is ok to not be perfect. It is okay to be human and flawed and need support sometimes.

[rwwff]

I have learned..

That sleep must be respected. Its not some optional nuisance I put up with when coffee, work, or gaming fail.

That the meds don't strip me of agency in my life, they grant it. It was untreated BP that took choice and honest expression from me.

And unfortunately, my perception of reality is deeply flawed; the observations of family and professional support are much more likely to be true than my own recollections. If sometime in the future they agree but I don't like something they suggest (med chg/hosp/etc)? I'm doing it anyway.

[scatterbrained04]

I have accomplished decent sleep and have learned its value.

Not sure what I hope to accomplish. It'd be nice to one day be to the point where suicide didn't linger in the back of brain as a valid option.