Bipolar check-in #47

Sorry you’re feeling so bad swimmingly....one thing I learned is that sometimes the things you’d do to stop a severe episode are not things you’d normally do. This is going to sound extreme and perhaps wasteful, but if it keeps you from the hospital it would be worth it....can you stay at a hotel or some place you’d have your space for a day or so. Alternatively you might want a nice screen tent and a lawn chair so you have some place to be outside of the house. Some place a little quieter....just get an extension cord from the house or whatever electronics you might want....

I have done this.

Couldn't your adult son mow the lawn? I doubt it would take much time to teach him. Does he live with you for free? It's the least he could do. Really, many 16 year olds from my generation mowed lawns, too, but I know many nowadays wouldn't go that far. I learned how to drive stick shift at 16. I'm a woman. So glad I did. Been driving a manual transmission car on the road since then. I'm almost 50.

I know. I sound like an old grandma saying "When I was young...", but it was all true.

If your riding or push mower is even simpler than I assume, then it should definitely be no problem for them.

There is a good book called "Loving Someone with Bipolar" by Julie Fast. Perhaps that could be an aid in familiarizing your children about your disorder. Summer is a great time since school is out on break and we're experiencing a pandemic.

Hopefully, today is better.
You are a writer. My baby was 5, I wrote her a picture book about it called, 'Sometimes My Dad Runs 20 One Million miles." I used to run when manic.

Sorry you’re feeling so bad swimmingly....one thing I learned is that sometimes the things you’d do to stop a severe episode are not things you’d normally do. This is going to sound extreme and perhaps wasteful, but if it keeps you from the hospital it would be worth it....can you stay at a hotel or some place you’d have your space for a day or so. Alternatively you might want a nice screen tent and a lawn chair so you have some place to be outside of the house. Some place a little quieter....just get an extension cord from the house or whatever electronics you might want....

That's a really creative idea. I might have the kids set my tent up for me. I haven't used it in about five years, but it is probably worth seeing what shape its in. I love the idea. Thanks for thinking of me sometimes psychotic. I really value this advice.

Sorry you’re feeling so bad swimmingly....one thing I learned is that sometimes the things you’d do to stop a severe episode are not things you’d normally do. This is going to sound extreme and perhaps wasteful, but if it keeps you from the hospital it would be worth it....can you stay at a hotel or some place you’d have your space for a day or so. Alternatively you might want a nice screen tent and a lawn chair so you have some place to be outside of the house. Some place a little quieter....just get an extension cord from the house or whatever electronics you might want....

"The struggle's getting old"

How do you feel this afternoon, spikes?

I'm having many self destructive urges. Listening to music instead so I'm tied to the computer via headphones and I'm not home alone. I will be alone tomorrow though so hopefully I'll wake up feeling better and stay that way through the day but I doubt it.

I’m having increasing episodes of SI with urges to do something about it. I know, I know...I’ll call my NP. I had a mindset coach ask me what I saw in my future and I didn’t see anything but the same bleakness as now. Life has just gotten too hard to keep up with. It’s the wrong time of year for this.

Warm regards to all and hugs to those that are struggling.

Is it ever possible for you to maybe walk for 30 minutes or so? Bike or jog or row or rollerblade? Aerobic exercise helped save my life when I had my worst depression. I hated going out, but always felt better after. Might be worth looking at this.

I’m having increasing episodes of SI with urges to do something about it. I know, I know...I’ll call my NP. I had a mindset coach ask me what I saw in my future and I didn’t see anything but the same bleakness as now. Life has just gotten too hard to keep up with. It’s the wrong time of year for this.

Warm regards to all and hugs to those that are struggling.

Typically I go for a walk every day. It doesn't help, just gives me anxiety because of rapists and bears.

I am thinking about something to get your heart rate up even more. 20 minutes even could really help...

The loop I usually do is 4 miles and takes about an hour. Lately I've been doing half of that which takes around 30 minutes and it just doesn't noticeably help.

I’m having increasing episodes of SI with urges to do something about it. I know, I know...I’ll call my NP. I had a mindset coach ask me what I saw in my future and I didn’t see anything but the same bleakness as now. Life has just gotten too hard to keep up with. It’s the wrong time of year for this.

Warm regards to all and hugs to those that are struggling.