[USMCBIPOLAR7]

I am Bipolar 1 and was diagnosed in 1987 and was discharged by the Marines rated at 30% disabled. I worked for 17 years in the psych field and became a counselor which I did for years. I also completed 2 degrees with honors. I have been married 15 years and have 4 awesome children. Well 8 years ago my condition got worse and I became 100% disabled by the marines and social security. I have been a stay at home dad since then. This fall the Marines determined me 100% permanent and total and social security disability continued me as 100%. I am grateful and feel blessed but hate not working, being able to go to school and am burned out as a stay at home dad so very frustrating now. What do you do to get a sense of accomplishment achievement or connectedness?

[SorryShaped]

Achievement. I only look to myself. I look at who and what I was, and am now.
Accomplishments. That requires setting goals. I've not been doing any big goals because something always takes these from me.

[shannonwalter201]

Look at your children and be proud of what an amazing job you are doing raising them and know that they are very lucky to have u!

[Unrigged64072835]

It's hard, isn't it? I have VA and SSDI plus retirement. (I wasn't diagnosed as Bipolar 1 on active duty, but had depression listed on my retirement physical.) It was helpful but it felt like I should have a regular job. I started writing poetry a couple of years ago and that's been useful. I got a free site from WordPress and went from there. I have creative outlets in writing, music, and photography. My main focus is on getting stable and staying stable. Since I've done well with that, I went back to school, though now I'm only taking one class a term because of my anxiety. I'm doing most of the classes online. I would like to get a degree, because I wasn't able to do that while working or being unstable. While that was going on I was married and my daughter went through high school.

I suppose it would help if you knew what you wanted to do that allows flexibility for your condition. If your children are school age you may have some leeway to get out of the house and take a non-degree or online class. Volunteering also works.

Sometimes being mentally ill is a full-time job in itself, adding on to taking care of home and kids.

[Wild Coyote]

I am fairly active politically. I write letters, make calls to lawmakers re: various Bills, other topics at hand.

Otherwise, I am very busy with my husband and/or my mother. My elderly mother lives with us and has had some rather sudden health challenges. I am, too often, overwhelmed.

I hope you find something(s) you enjoy to help you feel more connected.

It sounds like you have done a lot.

Thank you for your service!


WC

[still_crazy]

I'm on disability, too. I got it at a relativley young age. I might not be on disability if I"d been treated better by the "experts" I dealt with in years past. Oh well...

I'm a Christian. I'm not saying that to force my beliefs on you, just...it changes one's persepctive. I see being on disability, being able to pursue stability and -do- things with my life, now, as huge blessings from God Himself. I certainly needed a miracle.

Can you do volunteer work? Everybody recommends it, its kind of...cliche, I guess...but it can "help," by getting one out of the house and pouring into projects that matter to you.

Writing is my current outlet. Not a very social activity, lol, but it suits me. Have you considered taking up painting, ceramics, writing, poetry? My dad makes furniture now and then, and that seems to provide an outlet for him. My aunt took up pottery in her retirement years, and now they're showing her art in places around her city.

Sorry about this. I really am. I'm thankful that you've been able to have a full, meaningful life. I"m also thankful that you're receiving benefits.

Stay at home parenting seems like it could be frustrating, especially for men. I think what you've done (and are doing, of course) is admirable, but I imagine that's not the impression you get from a lot of other people. :-(

Politics might be fun. Resist Trump, support Trump, volunteer for the Democrats, go door to door for the GOP...just getting involved seems like it'd be the big, first step.

I wish you well.

[USMCBIPOLAR7]

Originally Posted by still_crazy

I'm on disability, too. I got it at a relativley young age. I might not be on disability if I"d been treated better by the "experts" I dealt with in years past. Oh well...


I'm a Christian. I'm not saying that to force my beliefs on you, just...it changes one's persepctive. I see being on disability, being able to pursue stability and -do- things with my life, now, as huge blessings from God Himself. I certainly needed a miracle.


Can you do volunteer work? Everybody recommends it, its kind of...cliche, I guess...but it can "help," by getting one out of the house and pouring into projects that matter to you.


Writing is my current outlet. Not a very social activity, lol, but it suits me. Have you considered taking up painting, ceramics, writing, poetry? My dad makes furniture now and then, and that seems to provide an outlet for him. My aunt took up pottery in her retirement years, and now they're showing her art in places around her city.


Sorry about this. I really am. I'm thankful that you've been able to have a full, meaningful life. I"m also thankful that you're receiving benefits.


Stay at home parenting seems like it could be frustrating, especially for men. I think what you've done (and are doing, of course) is admirable, but I imagine that's not the impression you get from a lot of other people. :-(


Politics might be fun. Resist Trump, support Trump, volunteer for the Democrats, go door to door for the GOP...just getting involved seems like it'd be the big, first step.


I wish you well.

Thanks, you’ve given me a lot of good stuff to think about

[USMCBIPOLAR7]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I am fairly active politically. I write letters, make calls to lawmakers re: various Bills, other topics at hand.


Otherwise, I am very busy with my husband and/or my mother. My elderly mother lives with us and has had some rather sudden health challenges. I am, too often, overwhelmed.


I hope you find something(s) you enjoy to help you feel more connected.


It sounds like you have done a lot.


Thank you for your service!




WC

Thanks I’m really going to work on it

Wow, you've had a very active life! Congratulations on all your achievements! Thank you for your service! Something tells me that volunteering would suit you. I've tried eight volunteer assignments and only one worked out but that's just me. The one that worked out was a lot of fun. I have just picked up an art class and hope to start swimming soon.