Bipolar Questions Version 5

jurassic park/ indiana jones/ e.t/ star wars/ free wilie.

I took piano lessons as a teen. I regret that I've lost much of that knowledge. My mother wanted to give me the piano about 20+ years ago, but I had to refuse it because my husband and I hadn't room for it. That was sad.

Q: What instrument is your favorite? You need not have to know how to play it. Just which one do you like to listen to most?

I don't think I have a favorite but when I was in band in school I always preferred the bass instruments so I guess those.

What temperature do you keep your house in summer?

somewhere between 50 and 90

are you ticklish?

oh yes, I am!

even a little "tickle" will get me laughing like their's no tomorrow

I can hold a feather and have the same affect

do you feel generally understood by people?

Most of the time. I try to keep it simple and I am a what you see is what you get person. I try to make my feelings and intentions known. I feel like it fosters trust with others.

Do you believe in the power of intention?

That is an amazing question. Thanks so much for asking that, fern! I confess I was not familiar with the concept of "power of intention" before looking it up, based on your post. I'm assuming you're referring to the concept put forth by Dr. Wayne Dyer? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I was slightly familiar with Dr. Dyer, but had/have not read that much from him.

My answer is an absolute "yes", at least in the recent years of my life. I still struggle with it a bit, though, but my belief in it has enriched my life. In my case, I had to go through a trauma because of my bipolar disorder to start to see the world and others differently, AND myself. This new way is so much more enriching.

Q: What are the most important things in your life?

I've actually never heard of him. I studied intention and energy focus through a number of resources focused on metaphysics. I just looked him up and his basic premise seems to be in line with my own understanding of intention.

Intention is loosely defined and setting one's intent can be done in a number of ways. Meditation, prayer, mantras, rituals, etc are all methods of working with intention. They all work with energy and channel it toward one's desires.

I feel like most people work with intent in one form or another even if it is unknowingly. The question then becomes whether or not the results are any different if you purposefully work with intention to bring about change. I feel like it works, but I've never seen it proven.

def the piano!

most important thing in my life is music, it comes with me everywhere. I guess second most important to me is freedom of speech. I've always believed it's important to express your opinions and make yourself known, even if others don't agree, because it makes you "you".

I can't think of anyone living and that's a real shame. I know a lot of people would say friends, family, I don't have either.

how long was your last stay in hospital

0 never been in the hospital for physical or mental health.

Question: How do you cope/deal with paranoia in regards to triggers on TV or in film?

one of the reasons this is so difficult for me, is that I struggle to accept that it's only acting.

I'll see something on tv and worry for that person, not the actor/ actress (despite people telling me many times it's acting I can't accept it)

most of the time, I'll actually skip the episode (if I'm aware something bad is happening, I will put something else on) and I will also check plotlines of future episodes to see if it's okay to watch. their's at least 2 soap operas I watch that always show you what happens in the next one, and as for the other shows I watch, I guess it's down to disgression and common sense.

something else I tend to do is write fan fiction based on my favorite people from the show. if I wath something and something bad happens, I'll write my own version where that person actually ends up in a good situation

I'll also stick a cartoon on if I'm feeling particuarly bad. I've always said you can't go wrong with a cartoon, and they do help relax me

do you tend to watch more tv in the morning, the evening, or is it spread throughout the day?

Evening, anywhere from 1-4 hours.

Have you every tried an online therapist ?

No. I don't think it would work well for me.

Do you do something social every week (or day)?

not really.

I'm not at all a social person

in fact: if I say hello to someone, that for me is social- but I spend a lot of time on my own so I don't even talk to people on a daily bases

question: what is the one thing you've learned in therapy that has really helped you cope?

To do what I can when I can instead of trying to force myself to do things I couldn't do.

Have you ever stopped meds without telling your pdoc?

Yes, twice, but that was years ago. Both times I ended up hospitalized and they caused the kindling effect causing additional hospitalizations. They were really bad situations. I finally learned my lesson. I guess a couple additional times I maybe reduced or skipped a medication (one out of a cocktail) for a day or two. Those actions didn't yield anything good, either.

Q: Is there a lesson you've learned along the way in terms of your bipolar disorder?

I learned that my mind is incredibly powerful amd can drive itself. It is a shocking revelation to have when you are used to being a control freak.

Q: what is your favorite game to play?

anything relating to trivia. I love the ones my alexa has

oh- hangman is good too!. I am always playing that

question: how long can you typicaly stay focussed on one activity before you have to do something else?

Depends on the activity. Something creative like writing or playing keyboard? Hours. Other things are probably an average of 15 minutes

are you more of a cat or a dog person (or other)?

maybe an hour if I'm watching a movie. then I do something else and leave the movie playing in the background. if I color or draw then definitely more than an hour. but, funny thing, I can be on social media way too long and not even notice the time fly by. but, there are times I get antsy to change what I'm doing even just after 20 mins or so.

I love cats and dogs but live with 3 cats - so I guess I'm more of a cat person.

How long have you been with your pdoc?

16 years.

What show do you recommend (streaming, cable, whatever)?

I've not really found something lately that's new to watch, so for the sake of answering the question, I'm just going to say the big bang theory (I'm not even really being that creative, but their we go.)

I do know what the big bang theory is and that I like it, so that counts for something

what is your biggist anoyance

Neighbors playing loud music. It doesn't happen often here because neighbors aren't that close but every so often and today was a day.

What do you enjoy about fall?