Questions Bipolar Version 3

no.

absolutely not

question:

what time is the latest you have got out of bed? (and no, sleeping all day doesn't count)

11 15 in the morning.

I can't remember exactly, (I was very young), but I had just had an operation and was feeling very frajile

I can remember walking in to the lounge and a rerun of a soap opera was on- crossroads I think

I was still really out of it, but later felt embarrassed for being in bed until 11 15

question:

have you ever got rid of your meds? (in the bin, down the toilet), somewhere you shouldn't have put them

No, I have hated taking them before, but I always have, on time, every day since being diagnosed 7 years ago.
Q: What's your morning routine?

I like to be ready for the day by 9 A.M.

that's breakfast had, trash emptied, laundry taken out, trivia challenge played (when I can be bothered), meds that need taking taken, etc.

because I sleep very little in the first place, it's really important for me just to get on with things and to be ready for the day (even if I don't actually do anything useful during the day anyway.)

question: have you seen the latest star wars film? (the last gedie)

No, but my son has seen it twice and says it's his new favorite movie.
Q: Have you ever met anyone on this form IRL?

Not that I know of. I always wonder in the hospital if just maybe someone might be on and not willing to talk about it as I am.

Would you meet up with someone from the forum or does that feel too risky?

it's too risky.

I can see the benifits of doing it, but no. i'd never do it.

question:
how do you feel knowing that you have BP forever? (regardless of if your condition is controled or not)

I've made my peace with it. It took years to get to a place of acceptance, but I finally got there.
Q: How often do you get sick? (physically)

not that often.

as i've got older, it's become easier to pick up bugs etc- still, with that said, I can't remember the last time I had something serious happening (I tend to avoid the serious stuff)
question: would you say you were open to new ideas? (or do you prefer sticking to what you know)

I do not like change but I think considering new ideas is really important.

Are you trying to lose weight?

no.

I probably should be, but I'm not.

I'll only put it back on later

(I know, I am so optomistic!)

how many times have you been hospitalised (just for mental health reasons)

5.

Are you hospitalized on a regular unit or a mood disorders floor?

I go to an acute adult psych unit.
Q:What was the highlight of last week for you?

Realizing that I had off of work Saturday.

Do you have a hard time getting up in the morning due to medication?

Yes.

Does your pdoc do more than the minimum? (or therapist)

not really.

only what needs doing.

question:

do you like art? (drawing, painting, etc)

I do adult coloring. I like photography, and I play very poorly at violin and guitar.

Do you find forcing yourself to be creative, when depressed, helpful?

oo i've always wanted to play violin!. I love the sound.

and no. I don't force it.. if nothing is their, nothing is their.

what's one good thing that's come out of this month?

So far not so much. A good therapy session I guess. My stupid gallbladder is keeping me from doing much right now.

Do you enjoy your birthday?

Yes

How often do you have to take meds in one day?

I'm supposed to take them 2x but don't remember the AM meds so I take them all at night. When I'm doing better and a less sleepy I'll go back to dividing them.

What do you notice right now in your environment (noise, smells, 13.5lb cat on your arm while typing)?

the radio is on, playing some latin music.

smell: marmite (as that's what I'm eating)

no kitties sitting on me though- I wish their was... I love cats!

question: when are you seeing your therapist next?

A little under 2 weeks from now as a follow up to my initial diagnosis/appointment/med change to see how going from Wellbutrin to Trileptal works for me.

Q: How long did you live your life being affected by BP without any diagnosis? For me, 13 years. I had NO idea AT ALL and was just living life as it came in the best way that I could handle at the time. Looking back it is super obvious, but there is nothing I can do but learn and move forward one day at a time.

honestly, I don't know.

I always thought I had it all my life (or if not, bits of it), the only thing I know for sure is that I had at least 1 manic episode before my actual diagnoses

it's really hard to say a time scale- not knowing if you had it before you had it... if you know what I mean.

question: if you suspected someone was suffering from bipolar (or any other mental illness), would you tell them, and if so, how would you aproach the subject?

I'm not shy about the fact that I have Bipolar. If I thought someone I knew was having mental health issues I would just flat out tell them that I struggle with bipolar and then that leaves an open door for them to talk about their struggles.
Q:do you use a light box?