[bewise93]

Yesterday was easter with my extended family. I was fine when I arrived on the weekend and it was only my immediate family. I had fun, we talked, watched movies, etc. But then when my extended family came, I could only eat lunch and then I went in the basement and read a book and took a nap. I was so stressed it was hard to function. I got home yesterday still stressed. I took an extra Ativan. I will be moving to a big city very soon so that stress is killing me too. I had been doing so good! Now I feel spacey, horrible headaches, stress and terrible anxiety, and just depressed. I feel like I am being eaten alive by my anxiety. It's horrible. Why does this stress me out so much? When I think rationally about these things, it doesn't seem so bad. But its like my brain doesn't think rationally about anything. It just responds with anxiety. And yes, I've tried coping skills. I just feel like a zombie from the walking dead with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and social anxiety.

[Aviza]

Try meditating or take deep breathes to calm yourself down. You have a few things going on, but you can make it through.

[RainyDay107]

When my psychiatrist diagnosed me with bipolar disorder, one of the things he told me was “stress is ‘the killer’ for bipolar disorder.” He’s right, IMO. My episodes are triggered by ongoing periods of extreme stress.

So...what to do. It is challenging, for me, to deal with stress. (See signature, lol, ugh)

I’ve found three things critical:

I’m with a supportive partner who understands bipolar disorder and accepts me fully (I’m lucky and I was “abandoned” in my prior relationship, a long marriage, after diagnosis. Rough times, happy ending.).

DBT therapy has been the most helpful as far as therapy for my bipolar disorder and anxiety. Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I cannot recommend it enough. “Radical Acceptance” is one of my favorite concepts. Amazon has a DBT workbook for bipolar disorder on Amazon, if you don’t have time for DBT therapy right now. There also is the original DBT workbook. I prefer the original...it has a green cover.

https://www.amazon.com/Dialectical-B...1H6ATGDSZMKQDY

Self-care, meaning putting yourself first. Your health. I struggle with this one, due to my upbringing and prior marriage. I’m in therapy and working on this. It’s very hard, but I have to do it. My partner puts his own health first (he also has bipolar 1) and I am so glad (and admire him, frankly.). He’s my rock, but sometimes he needs to rest and recharge. That’s good for him and helps me build self-resiliency.

I still stress out a lot. I relate to the move. I’m planning a move and I WANT to move. It will be awesome....but selling my home, moving to another state, finding and buying a new home, yikes! I’m pacing myself. I had to stop watching the HGTV Channel where people are buying the same type of house/same area I will ultimately buy. But after a good ten exciting episodes...time to get going, lol. I am already worried about transporting my cats.....not helping. Refocus, deep breaths. lol

Sending positivity your way.

[lucymae1]

Yes stress is the killer. I try to live my life stress free as possible. I'm very grateful to be on disability for my Bipolar. Of course I still have stress in my life but I do my best to manage it. I try to stay away from toxic situations and people.

Sending you cyber hugs