Bipolar Questions #6

BSL personally is hard to learn as if you don't use it you lose it. Plus I started properly learning from a guy I supported but he made his own signs up so I later found out. Its handy on nights out lol telling people who are far away from you what's going on etc.

Start with the alphabet as that's the easiest personally. BSL vowels are on your left hand. There are loads of people on youtube who do BSL. It's a handy thing to have tbh.

I've been learning random songs lol to up my signing

Ps I started learning sign language when I was 16 as I started working with children and young people with disabilities and we used a slang version of BSL called Makaton

I take a dose of trazodone nightly to help me sleep. It works really well for me. Since I was prescribed it, I have slept every night. I had them lower the dose though because I wasn't able to read at all in bed after taking it.

If you feel like sharing this, what is your most persistent symptom of when you are sensing a change in your mood?

It depends on the type of mood. If on the manic end, talking a lot and loudly is pretty persistent. If on the depression end, lack of motivation. If mixed, usually irritability, frustration, and/or agitation.

Q: What do you tend to do when elated hypomania or manic?

A: It's hard for me to know. I have lots of memory gaps. So I asked my wife: I tend to buy things rapid-fire, not always expensive. I become obsessed with things, it can be message boards, games, tv, it becomes an one track obsession. I become offended really easily. I become very talkative whether anyone is listening to me or not. (hearing this is bringing me down hard)

Q: What do you do to bring yourself up when you hear how people around you really feel about you and the disorder? How do you stay positive?

The people around me believe it’s a medical condition and it’s not my fault in any way so it’s easy to stay positive.

Favorite spice to use in items you personally cook?

Oh, corriander?

What care would you drive if you could have anything?

Probably a Tesla of some sort....do you prefer evergreens or deciduous trees

Evergreens, for sure, but that is most of what we have here, so...

Do you try to read or watch stuff from countires other than your own in order to broaden your perspective?

Yes

Favourite chocolate?

Belgian, I heard them call it. Don't really know what that is, but I love it.

Ever been surfing?

(Ever been surfing?)

Nope.

Do you like mowing the lawn?

Not here although I did at my old house. Here the yard is a big hill and I find mowing it to be scary.

Do you have seasonal allergies?

Yes, and I sometimes deal with sinusitis. Have since my teenage years. Did you know that sinusitis can be seen in MRI results?

Q: What do you find to be the most pleasant smell/fragrance?

The smell of freshly harvested cilantro is really nice.

Do you believe in any natural cures? If so which is your goto?

Blooming roses, of course...

Have you ever tried origami, if that is how you spell it?

We made origami boxes when I was IP once. It was hard but I also had no focus at the time.

What is your favorite thing you've done in a group (IP or elsewhere)?

In my most recent IOP, it was interrupted by the virus and I only had one day, we did something that I thought was nice. We created little emergency help books for ourselves that we wrote to ourselves. In it were therapies and coping skills we had that we could use in emergencies. Unfortunately, I was flying blind that day. lol

What is your favorite coping strategy?

Prayer.

When is the last time you dressed up and went out somewhere?

December, probably. It's hard to remember. I can't wait until those days return for us.

What type of vehicle do you drive/ride in?

A 56-centimeter BMC SLR02 road bike--ha!

Do you think penguins are cute?

I think most animals are cute, but I love penguins!

Do believe in life (not necessarily aliens) on other worlds?

Of course! Life has a pretty broad definition.

Q: Are you a good dancer? Do you like to dance?

I'm the worst dancer ever, but I love to do it. I taught my daughter to dance.

What was the favorite concert that you have seen?

Way too many. How about Yes in The Round? 1981, maybe?

Do you like old movies or TV shows?

I love "old movies." I guess it depends on what you call old. I'm a big fan of older westerns and James Bond movies, and a lot of tv from the 70s (which I don't really consider old)

Science Fiction or Romance?