Bipolar Questions Version 5

Q: What is your favorite type of Asian cuisine (mine is Thai)?

A:I live in such a rural area that I've never actually had anything more than Chinese. So Chinese with the caveat that I'd probably like Thai from what I know of it.

Q: Do you have any New Year's traditions?

A. Champagne on New Years Eve

Q. Do you have any goals for 2020?

Stay out of the hospital and get into better physical--aerobic--shape.

A. I hope to be kinder to myself when my BP or anxiety flare up. And to relax more.

Q. Any vacation trips in 2020?

A: Love to go scuba diving if I can save some money. Would like to go to the Solomon Islands or Papua New Guinea, maybe.

Q: Ever been on a jumbo jet?

Yes, several times.

Q: Have you ever been on a sailboat? If so, small and/or large?

A: Yes, I got to go on a friends'/parents' 51' Swan years ago. It was this color and I believe this is the same model.

Q: Do you have any OCD tendencies you can share?

That's a beautiful boat, bpcyclist! Thanks for sharing the photo. I love sailboats. I grew up going out on my paternal grandfather's.

I think I might have had some mild OCD tendencies, but not to a degree that any doc/therapist labeled them as such. Most are more apparent when I am some level of manic or in a panic attack. I do and say/communicate a lot of things repetitively ("I'm gonna go! I'm gonna go! I'm gonna go! I'm gonna go! I'm gonna go! I'm gonna go! I'm gonna goooooooooooooooooooooooo! Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go.................
................") and excessively. Body movements similar. Sometimes it seems deliberate for the sake of some form of relief, other times it happens beyond my control. I have wondered, at times, if partial focal seizures have been involved, but I am not sure of that. I'm aware when I do this. Again, it can be an elated experience or disturbing one. It has happened in public.

Q: What has been an odd symptom during one of your bipolar episodes?

A: A series of rather amazing "visions" in 2007-8. I will share about that at some point. I realize many people do not believe they actually exist, but I assure everyone, visions very much exist. They are completely life-altering events. Sometimes terrifying. Anyhoo, that's my odd "symptom."

Q: What is the most amazing place you think you have ever visited?

There was a green, green vale in Howth, Ireland. A little creek ran through, winding through the tree roots. It looked like a true fairyland. My son and I were there on a misty day and we made wishes and threw little Irish pennies into the creek.

What is the most outstanding memory of your high school graduation?

The weather was lovely, I enjoyed the bagpipes, and loved the dress I wore. I wasn't altogether happy with the event, for a reason I won't mention.

Q: How far back in your life can you remember? What was your very first pleasant memory?

It's fuzzy, but standing in the garage in Texas as my mom and dad cleaned it in preparation for our move to Oregon.

What's your favorite animal and why"

A bunny for sure. Besides the cuteness, they seem like such gentle and innocent creatures.

When was the last time you felt truly happy?

This summer. I went to Florida for two weeks and enjoyed floating in the sun most days in the neighborhood pool. That makes me happy.

Q. What’s the longest period of time you’ve been stable?

Close to 10 years, and on a little dose of Haldol and that's it, oddly enough.

The problem with that was I felt unmotivated, dead inside, and unsatisfied.

Two med changes led to two hospitalizations, and now I can say I think they finally got it right.

Okay, question time: What is the number of the most meds you've been on?

Probably about eight.

What is your favorite medication of all time?

Tegretol XR and Seroquel XR, but I want to mention that good therapy has also been crucial for me.

Q: What therapeutic coping tool/skill helps you the most?

a nap or sleep (but I always feel crap when I wake up )

Q. What is the most helpful suggestion/tool a therapist has given you?

To get divorced.

What is your favorite exercise activity?

Sitting on the couch, lol. - Seriously though, probably an exercise bike.

Are you a part of any other bipolar groups online besides PC?

No. I did a looooot of research before I joined here. I felt like this had the best overall experience for me.

What animal scares you the most?

A: I know it is goofy but birds. Got scared when I was a kid and it stuck

q: Do you have a tattoo?

No, and surely never will. Not my interest. I do have a large round port wine birthmark on the side of my rib cage. It's not that visible given its somewhat hidden location. A couple other people in my extended family had/have similar birthmarks.

Q: Have you ever done anything at least a little wild with your hair? If so, what?

same.

I can listen to them from inside a house, but that is all

no.
my hair is long, that is all.

white or dark chocolate