Questions Bipolar Version 3

In Treatment (HBO series 2008-2010). The episodes all revolve around therapy sessions with different patients. I identified with the young gymnast.

Question: Who, outside of your close family, do you tell about your MI?

I talk about it with anyone if I feel it is going to be of benefit to a conversation. I don't talk about it much but I've posted on facebook from time to time and will bring it up or answer if someone has a question.

Do you call yourself a patient, client or consumer?

I'm my psychiatrist's patient. My therapist's client. A consumer of pharmaceuticals and services from places like NAMI, DBSA, and any other helpful resource. As for who I am for myself? Me. I could refer to myself by other names like wife, daughter, sister, friend, but I'm still me.

What is something you'd like to tell other people with bipolar that is helpful/encouraging?

I had a chance to see that

sadly I didn'y

and I wish I had

that their's a lot of support out their, a lot of different treatment options, a lot of things you can do to help yourself... just don't give up after your first try- because it's very rare that the first try is right for anyone

question: how did you come up with your forum username?

I wanted to be the most inconspicuos(sp) of all.

Who is the one with the most advanced age. I'm 68 and 3/4.

42 3/4 here.

Do you have seasonal affective disorder/symptoms?

I don't have any kind of seasonal affective disorder (official disorder), but I do have a history of having certain mood tendencies at certain times of year. Most notably, I tend to have mood upswings to even full mania any time from early as early March to end of May (spring fever of sorts). After that in the summer, my energy starts to fall. I'm actually usually OK in the winter, but autumn can be a mixed bag. I'm OK right now, in September. I have some mild mood fluctuations, but nothing serious. My sleep is a bit changed, though. I've been getting tired early and have wanted to sleep a bit more.

What is your favorite season of the year, and why?

I think it depends on where you live. I'm in Houston so I like "winter." In the winter here, it is nice outside (60s and 70s). The rest of the year it is so hot I don't go outside. I think I get seasonal affective disorder in the summer, because I stay inside with the air conditioning instead of going outside. When I've lived farther north, I have liked spring better I think.

How old were you when you were diagnosed?

43 years old.

How do you manage anxiety?

- where possible I try to think ahead.

once this is over... this is what I'm going to do.

gives me a sense of... it will be over, and then I'll be able to do what I want

I also listen to relaxing music and do the 7/ 11 (breav in for 7, out for 11)

which bipolar psymptom was the very first one that you noticed?

Sleep disturbances.

What age were you when you first sought help for bipolar?

20 or 21.

Do you ever wonder if you’re not really bipolar, but rather just really bad at life?

not really.

their are some days I guess where everything seems calm and good and you think has this all just been a dream

then it hits you...

that no, it's not a dream, it's actually happening

dr pepper or coke

I’m a pepper. He’s a pepper. She’s a pepper. Wouldn’t you like to be a pepper too?

Were you ever rejected (by a friend, family member, coworker, etc.) after telling them about your MI?

Not so much family. As for friends, it wasn't so much the telling them I had bipolar disorder as the bipolar disorder symptoms that pushed them away. A couple seemed to try to be understanding when they learned that some of my shocking behavior was as a result of an illness, but eventually it was too much for them. Others who have heard keep a bit of a distance from me. It's sad.

What signs of stigma against bipolar disorder (or any mental illness) have you witnessed in person with your own eyes and/or ears?

While in conversation with family, one of them was telling us of someone at their work that was giving them trouble and their comment was “oh he must be bipolar”
I sat there stunned as it was shortly after I’d been diagnosed and I wish I’d spoken up.

Q. Do you ever adjust your medication dosages without discussing with anyone first?

i don't now, although at times the urge has been really strong to take more than i'm prescribed to calm down in a rage or something etc. in the past i abused prescription meds, so always took more than prescribed, and sometimes went off meds by myself.

if you work, what do you do when you really, really, really, really don't want to go to work? if you don't work, do you stay at home or go to different places during the day?

I tend to stay home a lot. I don't handle noise and stimulation well.

What part of your home do you find soothing?

I find my bed the most soothing place for me. It's been my "safe place" for a while.


Have you ever been a little manic or high end of cycling and connected with another person, who may have been cycling too? For example a Stranger at the Time.

Only in the hospital and that was interesting

Do you handle change well?

Some times I handle it like a pro, sometimes it is just one more thing to help my world crash apart(try to remind myself to embrace it but I seem to resist it in these times if I think on this).

Ever get de ju vu ? (Did I spell that right?)

wow, yes, a lot. i often get deja vu, and then it feels like i can predict the next few seconds because i've "seen it before".

do you have any close friends irl you can talk to and relate to?

no I don't.

but that's cool... I'm totally fine with that

(I'm not, but I sort of have to be). people don't mix with me

question: did your bipolar diagnoses come as a shock?, or did you see it coming

Some of My family members were labeled it, so no.. I still question it but keep getting labeled it along with others.

Do you believe that you have or will find your balance in life?