[CherryGlazer]

Whenever my symptoms come back, I want to get as far away from the label as possible.

But when everything is ok, I tend to think what it means to be bipolar, and I talk about it alot with people (who are close to me).

Tbh I don't know why I keep focusing on my diagnosis and continuing to research/read about it, it's been 3 years of mostly stability, so it's not really relevant to my life anymore. I'm low key obsessive about it...

Thoughts?

[UpDownAround]

Stable without meds or therapy? If you are taking meds and/or getting therapy for it , I would say it is still pretty relevant. "mostly stability" - that qualifier makes it sound like there have been some episodes, just nothing bad. We do get told, over and over, that it isn't going away. I think it would be somewhat natural to think about it and keep up on any new treatments and whatnot because there will always be some doubt as to whether it is done with you or not. Lots of guesses on my part, so I may be off in the weeds.

I talk about it in my real life very little and only when it's relevant. It's been relevant a lot lately though. A few months ago I decided I was focusing too much on it by visiting PC so frequently so part of my wellness plan was to stop relying on PC so much and to find other, more productive ways to spend my time.....however lately I've been wobbling in my stability and deeply need the extra support of PC and people who understand.

[jacky8807]

I'm pretty much the opposite.
when I'm stable it pretty much leaves my brain
when I start to become symptomatic/or have the insight directly after an episode then I think about it again and what it means as in "damn the bastard is still hanging around"

Right now I am pretty much stable and in a decent place so its easy to say what I am about to say:

But its just not good for anyone to think or obsess or ruminate about it too much. I think its unhealthy and begins to take up way to much rent in the brain and almost begins triggering symptoms in its own right.
Sure do the right things that keep you healthy but otherwise the best best best thing you can do is start focusing above the shadow. You are still aware of its existence but it does not become all of who you are.

[jacky8807]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

I talk about it in my real life very little and only when it's relevant. It's been relevant a lot lately though. A few months ago I decided I was focusing too much on it by visiting PC so frequently so part of my wellness plan was to stop relying on PC so much and to find other, more productive ways to spend my time.....however lately I've been wobbling in my stability and deeply need the extra support of PC and people who understand.

I think PC is a great place and has saved me from myself many times and the ppl and support here are amazing.
However I think it can be unhealthy, very unhealthy to spend too much time here. I don't think it , I know it.
But it is an amazing community to get and give support. One must just proceed with self care .

[emgreen]

I seldom talk to anyone about it...except for one friend I have who is also BP. Since I was an unsuccessful drinker, I go to AA. When depressed, I'll miss meetings for a month or more, & use the excuse of being depressed (which is true) for my lack of attendance. I see no advantage in talking about BP to others; in fact, I think it has the potential to make symptoms worse (power of suggestion). I'm back on PC after being gone for about 9 months, but seldom post on the BP section. I enjoy the addictions section & some of the more social aspects of the site.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by jacky8807

I'm pretty much the opposite.
when I'm stable it pretty much leaves my brain
when I start to become symptomatic/or have the insight directly after an episode then I think about it again and what it means as in "damn the bastard is still hanging around"

Right now I am pretty much stable and in a decent place so its easy to say what I am about to say:

But its just not good for anyone to think or obsess or ruminate about it too much. I think its unhealthy and begins to take up way to much rent in the brain and almost begins triggering symptoms in its own right.
Sure do the right things that keep you healthy but otherwise the best best best thing you can do is start focusing above the shadow. You are still aware of its existence but it does not become all of who you are.

I agree with jacky. Best wishes.

[mossanimal]

Since my DX is relatively new I think about it a lot.. probably too much. I've read Touched by Fire, Unquiet Mind and Too Bright to See, Too Loud to hear twice each. I analyze my behavior too often. Lately that has quieted down a lot... but when I start feeling symptoms it happens again. You can track this by looking at my posting activity here. :-) It's been a long time since I've posted... but right now things seem to be destabilizing again (could be situational due to work stress). Can't wait to see my therapist next week.