Bipolar Questions Version 4

as tempting as it would sound, probably not because of my social anxiety

I'd say yeah I'll go, all the way up to the actual day, then get anxious and not show up

question:

if you could change one thing about the forum, what would you change.

(you can leave it as it is, too!)

I think this forum is great! My only suggestion, which some may not like, is to put the threads that are clearly long-running chats (for a single person) vs. topics/shorter-term support threads, in a different place. Maybe in a sticky? If everyone created their own chat thread for themselves (i.e. if I created a "BirdDancer thread # 1"), it would be less support forum like. It's true the owner of the personal chat thread needs support, but eventually it's hard to follow the whole point of the thread. If it has a specific topic, the topic can continue to be commented on, but if it turns into "Well, today I feel good...yada yada" for a specific thread owner, then that stuff, in my opinion, should rather be put in the Bipolar Check-In thread, which I really like.

How have you made progress, in terms of dealing with stress, anxiety, or controlling mood episodes, since the worst of your illness struck?

I used to be on a forum like what you just described.

on that forum though, it was small, and everyone knew each other- so though I didn't really like the idea, it sort of made sense because it made it easy for the other members to check in on a certain member.

it is also why I left though. the limitation got a little to much for me and I'm not sure that this forum would be good for it- A because their's just so many users (so their'd be probably the same amount of threads in the end anyway), and new users would have to read whole entire multipage threads just to get to know a single person and their story

Yes. My therapist and pdoc both have been really impressed at how I'm handling my terminally ill, abusive and out of my life for 20 years, father. I've also managed the last few real (not just rapid cycling without much depth to it) episodes much better than I might have in the past. In another week or so I'll have been out of IP for 3 years which is a record.

Do you remember your worst episodes?

Yes and I wish I didn’t sometimes. When depressed it all just magnifies the guilt shame and self loathing.

Q. What was/is your biggest trigger of hypomania/mania? (Antidepressant use, an event etc)

balls.

I still remember to this day what my friend laura used to say to me when i'd ask for a ball

" you know what happens when you have a ball".

it never stopped me though, I'd always get one in the end and bounce it and squeeze it and stuff

why balls, I don't know

but it makes me feel like a hyperactive puppy (wag wag)

how closely do you follow the news. do you like knowing what's going on in the world?, only some stuff, or not at all

I follow the news very closely, especially political news. I'm quite familiar with who the major political players are in both political parties (the cabinet, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and even many governors across the country). I am also somewhat familiar with who the leaders are in many countries around the world. I know most of the major journalists, especially those on TV and their usual correspondents and guests. Even for news programs I have little respect for. One thing I do frequently is write to politicians. I believe I've written at least 12 letters/emails to politicians this past 12 months and have another in the works. I would surely win a "Political/World History Jeopardy" trivia game against most Americans.

What subject do you feel most in "the know" about?

it's a toss up between disney or harry potter

but I'd say disney seeing as I grew up with it and spent more time around it

okay, harry potter related question:

if you attended hogwarts, what house do you think would best suit you and why?

I always wanted to be in slytherin

I think mainly because my favorite character happens to be voldimort

second favorite is draco
question:

would you or would you not want to live to 100. why

I don't know. I truly don't know. I hope that if I do I have plenty of enjoyable times along the way to that destination, even if I have some struggles or heartaches, too.

If you have ever had a pet (or pets), what was it about the pet(s) that you loved the most?

They sense when you are hurting and come to cuddle with you.

What is your favorite movie?

when I had my dog roxy, I liked it that she'd sometimes come in my room, sit by my sofa, and wine until I picked her up

I'd sit back with a little bundle of fur on my lap and watch tv.

it's ashame the vet had to put her down. I was very sad.

question:

if you were a fairytale character, who do you think you'd be?

hah we wrote at the same time

but lion king

always has been

I think I'd like to be the big bad wolf from the 3 little pigs (snort snort)

question: did you have a mannic/ depressive episode before you were diagnosed?

I was depressed quite a few times. For many years I felt "weak" often.
And manic, under the influence, many more. Self medication.
But those don't count. According to my new shrinkette.

Have you had an "accident" while sleeping?
Or is this just an ole fart thing.

Depressive episodes with medication induced mania.

Were you diagnosed with depression (or another illness) before you were diagnosed with bipolar?

This is a very nice thread, everyone! Just wanted to say that. Sorry for interrupting. Sending many hugs to everyone

Just realized I skipped over you!
I can't say I have though. Nothing since single digits.

Were you misdiagnosed with depression (or another illness) before you were diagnosed with bipolar?

I'm not sure. I had consulted doctors (mostly GPs) about depression, anxiety, and what were likely mixed episodes, years before my bipolar diagnosis. I never saw them during the many hypomanic and full manic episodes I had before then. They never said "You have X disorder", but they likely chose some diagnosis code for insurance purposes. Maybe they weren't exactly diagnosing me, though.

Q: What was the very first psychiatric symptom you ever experienced? And at what age?

dissociation in the school playground at the age of 9.

well, it was either feeling suicidal or dissociation. they both happened when I was 9, both with in days of each other

question: what was your most rreecent psymptom to develop?

Ah, thats a tough one. I have had psychosis brewing for a few months then had a massive break a few weeks ago. So I could say that, but it came with so many other symptoms. A few days ago I became a little hypomanic so I guess that is it.

How long does it generally take to recover from a really bad episode?

I was never diagnosed with anything.
And this bipolar thing came out because my wife sent me to a shrink. At 63.
I was too rowdy and womanizer. Self medicated all the time.
In a sentence, I was having too much fun.

I admit to the depression or "weakness" I've felt all my life.
Men were not supposed to be depressed at the time. So it was "weakness".
I was making too much money to be depressed, they told me. So no reason.

I don't have bipolar. I have maybe MDD.
I was born hyper. I move, shake, rattle and roll. Is that a sin?.
Never hurting anyone. Everybody was aware that I was "different". That's all.

Now, with the self medicating thing, I can be.... not the same. There.

Cheers.

the longest it's taken me personally is 3 months
I'm not sure about the shortest time

generally I don't handle that type of thing well (well I don't really think my illness is handled that well), but what can you do with ****ing **** mental health services

anyway, moving on....

biggist phobia?

I don't really know. I'm passively suicidal most of the time so there's not much to fear

It's lunchtime and you can have anything, what is it?

I'm full now having eaten lunch already today, so this is a little tough. I had a delicious roast beef sandwich on baguette with lettuce, tomato, horseradish mayonnaise, salt/pepper. I also had a very small bowl of tomato carrot bisque that I accentuated with fresh basil. My beverage was homemade unsweetened iced tea with fresh mint. I then had an espresso. A blueberry-strawberry sponge cake just got out of the oven. I was/am plenty happy with that. It's a nicer than usual lunch because hubby is home because of the sleet and snow.

What do you most enjoy treating yourself to? It could be anything, not only a food.