I'd say I'm no worse off than last year. No steps forward, but no steps back. I need to be more med compliant for sure, as I've had 3 manic episodes and 4 depressive episodes from going on/off meds repeatedly. (Basically, it's withdrawal triggering my episodes because I'm so inconsistent.) Thus, I hope to conquer that problem by early 2018, but definitely by the end of 2018.

[wildflowerchild25]

50/50, almost literally. Beautifully stable for the first six months, nothing but nonsense for the last six months.

[taybaby]

It's good you have a plan to be more consistent!

Mine was awful lol. But it was mostly self doing. Too much drinking. I want to take better care of myself in 2018

[Pookyl]

Pretty awful actually. I've only had one month of stability the whole year - July I think? Ironically during winter. x2 hospitalisations. Currently in hospital and feeling pretty well. It is really nice not waking up with intrusive suicidal thoughts.

[scatterbrained04]

Not a very stable year for me. So here's hoping next year will be better.

It was hell, but I'm alive and who knows what next year will bring.

[raspberrytorte]

Pretty bad in all honesty.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Mine was a year of big change so I had some hiccups but I have managed it 'ok.'

I had two hospitilizations. i havent self harmed since january 23! Very little dissociating since summer time. and no remarkable depression this fall season like usual. mostly the issue is psychosis when highly stressed.

[~Christina]

Horrible horrible horrible

[Tucson]

I have had my mania in check, but a few times with mild hypomania. I can do some crazy stuff when I am this way, but overall manageable. Depression has been the problem. This ended up pretty bad when I was taking care of my mother. I can go for a period of time OK with just manageable depression, and then have a substantial episode from time to time. The mix of meds need tweaking.

[Nammu]

Mentally very smooth and stable.

[bizi]

It was a heavy drinking year and weight gain.
For the past 2 weeks I have seen some sanity, self control.
2.5mg of zyprexa is doing the trick.
I am beginning to lose weight, 6 pounds and am 18 days alcohol free.
bizi

[Pikku Myy]

Over it. Ready to face yet an another challenge for 2018. My life is not easy.

[winter loneliness]

I had a rough year. In the fall it was the 1 yr anniversary of my mother's death. That was hard for me. I had been numb.

Then it sunk in. I think death does that. Sadness hits in waves.

[Slightlydelusional]

5 months of extremely horrible followed by 3 months of very positive recovery and long over due growth, so hope can keep going, but winter is very rough where I am and money goes down with the season so need to brace for a lot of challenges next 5 months.

[annielovesbacon]

Lots of ups and downs... and the downs were REALLY down.
I started the year with my alcohol/drug addiction getting dangerously bad. In February I accidentally overdosed and almost died. I was in a deep depression and my drinking got to the point where I would drink in class and at work, drink first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
In September I seemed to take a turn for the better, I was still drinking but not abusing drugs quite as often, and I felt happier. But then I went through a traumatic experience in October which caused a "relapse" in my panic attacks (not sure if that is the right word, but I hadn't had them in a while) and sent me straight down into depression.
But I started lamictal in November, and after about a month, I could really feel it starting to work. I feel stable now, most days I am pretty happy. The dark thoughts are always there and probably always will be but it's easier for me to ignore them now. Here's hoping for continued stability for me and for everyone in 2018.

[winter loneliness]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

Lots of ups and downs... and the downs were REALLY down.
I started the year with my alcohol/drug addiction getting dangerously bad. In February I accidentally overdosed and almost died. I was in a deep depression and my drinking got to the point where I would drink in class and at work, drink first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
In September I seemed to take a turn for the better, I was still drinking but not abusing drugs quite as often, and I felt happier. But then I went through a traumatic experience in October which caused a "relapse" in my panic attacks (not sure if that is the right word, but I hadn't had them in a while) and sent me straight down into depression.
But I started lamictal in November, and after about a month, I could really feel it starting to work. I feel stable now, most days I am pretty happy. The dark thoughts are always there and probably always will be but it's easier for me to ignore them now. Here's hoping for continued stability for me and for everyone in 2018.

What type of drugs addiction -wise?

my year has been ****ing aweful

well, I say that... I didn't attempt on my life (making it one year in april), which I was really proud of.. I even posted about that

but with that acception, I was in the hospital 3 times (once for self harm, even!) my self harm habbits have gotten worse.

my overeating has taken a turn for the worst

family abuse continues

no where nearer to where I want to be in life (where is that again?) seriously.. I still don't know what I want from life and i'm in my 30's

got evicted from my home

decided to change my legal name to davy jones (I was mannic at the time, but hmm why not?)

sleep has been terrible

still looking for a good combo of medication

Possible trigger:

yeah... I often wonder why I still exist

I'm glad this year is almost over.

glad

[lilypup]

A mixed bag. No hospital, few suicidal thoughts. Getting a lot done and getting out a reasonable amount. Losing some weight and dealing better with health anxiety. Med compliant and see docs. Maintaining friendships.
Not so good: being on the couch a LOT, no exercise. Cancelling on people too much because I feel down. Being sucked into my youngest son's drama. Needing to live for me and my other two kids and husband.

[Teddy Bear]

2016 was hard my family took away my car. In March of 2017 they gave it back. I am starting 2018 better.

[bpforever1]

This year was not bad at all. I did ok. My illness has been relatively stable because of my compliance to medication. I feel pretty good about myself. I will do my best to continue taking my medication. The worst thing that happened was that I lost some employment. But, I am surviving despite this. I feel the next year will be good or better than this year. I am hoping that I can continue to survive with what I have. I am happy!!

[hexacoda]

I haven't had an episode since 2011. In 2017 I found a new job (laid off in 2016) and they seem to be impressed with my work so far. They are asking to extend my contract anyway. My brother has gone through some problems (he's diagnosed bipolar but disregards the diagnosis and refuses to be treated), and my mom had a hard time finding a new job (her office closed down as well the year before). But she seems to be happy now and I can't do anything for my brother. 2017 has been good to us.

[Moreta]

Year has been pretty decent mental wise. Health wise not so much. Still trying to get healthy.

[Wild Coyote]

It's been a very challenging year. I am surprised I've made it this far, as the depression had been so severe. I am just starting to feel a little better; although I am easily thrown back into severe depression. I hope 2018 will be much better.

Love to All!

WC