Bipolar Questions Version 5

@raging vortex I know the feeling from turning from friendly to a nightmare. When I was first declared bipolar I hanged out with other bipolar people. But, what would happen if we were together and we were both nightmares at the same time. I left my friends, and stayed alone.

it probably explains why I don't have friends in the first place (that, and the fact I am the deffinition of boring)

but we have each other at least. hugs

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question: have you ever responded to negative stigma?. if so what did you say and what happened (as in, did that person learn about the illness.)[/QUOTE]

The most notable was when there were really offensive jokes about psych patients being made at work and I finally told my boss that they were inappropriate and why I thought so. Suddenly my work was no longer good enough, I kept getting in trouble and I was fired a few months ltae. If I had kept my mouth shut I might still be in that job (Which I'm so glad I left as I eventually got to the job I was made to do and did that the last 18 months before disability. It was a good ending).

Question: Were you/are you open about your diagnosis at work?

I don't work, but I'll answer in general: their was a time where I wasn't open about it at all (even saying the word bipolar freaked me out), but now I try to be more open.

basically I believe in the whole marolyn monroe aproach.. you take all of me or nothing at all

when was your last big accomplishment?. what was it

Dec. 9, 200. I graduated from my master's program and was eligible to take the exam to be an occupational therapist. I had a pretty good day in April 2001 too when I passed my exam...….

Are you an impatient person? In what circumstances?

I thought I was (and I guess I still am), but i'm not as impatient as some others I know!. I know people who litirally won't take later for an answer. i will, but not for long

question:

what was your happiest moment during childhood

When the library-bus came and I finally got some new books to read. The smell of paper, the joy inside, excited to start a new story. They came to life inside my mind. From I learnt to read until I was a teenager I read hundreds of books. Some years I read more than hundred books- by the time I was ten I had read all the books in our house. (And my mom liked to read, so it was a LOT)

(I also wanted to answer- I am open with it at work and I get help to minimize triggers and they are really supportive)

What is your most funny bipolar-moment? Not something you are ashamed of, but something that was just funny in hindsight?

(There are enough crappy episodes, sometimes I like the funny ones. I oncd told my boss to butt out- I was making a sand-castle- it was just still invisble and he was stepping on it He kinda said I didn’t make sense, but he let me do my thing. I was having a project, and I needed to put some more pieces together before showing the result. It did end well)

dressing up as a pirate

seriously, going around wearing a teddybear on my shoulder (to resemble a parrot), a sword, and a pirate costume I'd ordered on a manic spre from amazon

then insisting people called me "davy jones" (in the pirate accent, or I wouldn't answer)

question: have you ever believed that you have an illness that you've not oficially been diagnosed with, and if yes, what?

A: I don't think so. I did go to the ER with pain I was afraid was my appendix once but the doctors didn't know either until I had a CT scan that showed it was something else.

Q: Will you shop at Prime days or similar with other companies?

not really.

I've done amazon prime day one year, though that wasn't because it was prime day, it was because I was mannic and just wanted to shop.

would you ever go camping?, or do you like your home comforts

I have always loved camping and have camped many times in my life, in various places. In my early marriage, my husband liked camping, too, but now he doesn't. It's a shame. I still think I would enjoy it.

Q: Do you tend to let things roll off your back easily? Or not?

no.

a lot of people have met their match when they meet me, because I'm very good for standing up for what I want, getting the apology I deserve, putting in the relevant complaints, what ever it takes

question: what are you most looking forward to this summer?

It being over, lol. Summer is an endurance contest. I hate the heat and sun.

Which is your favorite season and why?

It used to be the fall, but I lost my mind last fall. It feels kinda dark and tainted now. I'm not looking forward to it anywhere near as much as I used to. I think spring will be my new favorite for at least a while. I love how the sun feels after the winter and the buzz in the air as everything comes back to life.

Would you rather sweat or shiver?

shiver.

I hate the feeling of being hot, hate it

I have 2 fans, 4 windows, and won't hesitate to use them if it gets too hot (well the fans at least, I need to be careful with the windows because of my alergic reaction to bees)

question: when it comes to sself care what part (or what activity) is most important to you?

(to me it is staying hydrated.)

First is taking my medications religiously at the same times each day. Second is trying hard to eat nutritious foods. Sometimes I eat some not so great foods, but they are always accompanied by good ones, too.

Q: Do you feel any kind of difference in your mood or physical well-being if/when you miss even one dose?

Not after just one. It takes about a week, for me. IDK if that has to do with lithium’s half-life or what.

Q: Have you ever stopped taking your meds on your own? If so, what happened?

Yes, I have. I was undiagnosed for Bipolar but was put on zyprexa because I had psychotic tendensies, irritability, etc.


Zyprexa (olanzapine) made a zombie out of me. I just felt..nothing. I wasn't up, I wasn't down, nothing made me laugh, I had no interest in sex, I couldn't concentrate on anything. And, I gained 80 or so pounds in a matter of months. So, at one point I decided I couldn't and wouldn't live like that anymore. So, I stopped.



Suffice to say that if I want to keep my relationship, I need to be on meds.

Question: can you work full time?

So far, so good. I've been there about a month and it's the first year-round full-time job I've ever had (at 56!). So, I'm going to say yes and hope for the best!
It has helped ENORMOUSLY to have gotten out of chaotic and frustrating situations and smoothed my life out, keeping me way more stable. And I love my job. That REALLY helps too.

Question: Do you try to eat healthy?

I do eat healthy. We rarely eat out and I don't make a lot of processed foods. I watch my calories and fat intake. I eat fruits and veggies daily. I only eat poultry and fish for my sources of meat. I drink mostly water amd stay well hydrated.

Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?

No, but I did have conversations with imaginary ‘scenes’. Kinda like talking to myself inside my head- like having multiple personalities. More like sometimes living in the expansions of books I’ve read.
I still do. But now one of them is manic and one is the depressed one. I am the house they live in, and always try to keep them at bay.
(I am not schizofrenic according the psychiatrist)

What is your number one coping mechanism?
(Number two, if medication is number one)

Original Q: Do you like tea or coffee?
A: I like iced tea and hot coffee

How old were you when you learned to ride a bike?

being here, I guess.

the only place I can be myself and speak freely

what was the best news you've heard this month (either about yourself or a friend or what ever)

My friend and his Wife are expecting on 14th July still no news yet.

Question: Are you a hot person or a cold person. Or as we in Scotland say it are you a hot tattie (hot potatoe) don't ask me why we say it lol we are a quirky bunch

wow that's cool. do they know the gender?.

babies are so cute. I love them. when they are newborn especially they are just so adorable

so the whole tatti thing actually is said. I didn't know, heard it once or twice- but wasn't sure if it was just like a nickname for potatoes all over the UK, or just a scottish thing

to your question:

if you mean hot and cold (what I prefer), then I prefer colder weather- hot weather just isn't cool, and it makes everything so sticky and uncomfortable

if you mean in terms of looks, I have body issues and hate the way I look- though I've never been called "hot", either, so can't be that stunning to look at

in terms of personality I like to think I'm " hot", as in, I am quite friendly and stuff to people I meet

with that said: I can turn on you just like that and I can be one of the coldest people around (but usually it's because I'm triggered, I'm nice, honest, you can ask anyone. lol)

I think that's covered all bases

question:
are their any people still in your life that you don't need? (abusers, people who never got your illness,) what ever, and are you trying to get them out your life or do you just avoid them.