Education etc

I have been told to efucate myself on Bipolar. I know a lot of you guys are American/Canadian etc where as I'm from UK so info would be different. But what helped you? I was told to read Mind website (mental health site in UK).

In 10 years I have read lots but conflicting info. Like some sites say manic depression and bipolar.... where as I thought they were the she thing just a more modern name (bipolar?).

I have loads of books so I have done research I'm not clueless. I'm just still struggling to come to terms with having bipolar.

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder Type 1, Social Anxiety, General Anxiety, OCD, SAD (Sessional Affective Disorder) and Psychosis??? I guess the last one is true but no official diagnosis there. I definitely have it though according to my team.

I am doing a Crisis Plan next week with my team.

I have a list I have made of symptoms/triggers etc some coincide with each other and depression and mania symptoms kinda are the same they overlap. Then delusions and paranoia again overlap.

Also I'm resenting getting the injection (depot injection) my Anxiety is through the roof. I understand the team have took power over me for medicating me. I still orally take Depakote. But they administer monthly Aririprazole through injection.

I just want it all to be OK but it feels like I'll never be well or OK with the diagnosis, meds etc

Currently low in mood struggling to get motivated, get out of bed which is my sofa, eat, drink, wash etc

Any help, advice or wise words of wisdom??

Hi Miss Laura. It seems to me that you already know quite a bit about the disorder itself. And manic depression is exactly the same as bipolar disorder. I'm unsure why the name bipolar disorder took over, other than maybe when different "types" of the disorder were referred to more (meaning type 1, type 2, type 3, etc.) I think in the past, only type 1 was fully recognized. However, at least as far back as the psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin, mixed states and other tendencies (i.e. anxiety leaning, rapid cycling) were discussed.

My education about bipolar disorder also included books, but support groups, the internet, therapy, psychiatrists, and seminars also taught me a lot. And just plain experience.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) happened to make the most difference for me, but I think approaches sometimes need to change as we and our illnesses change. The world of bipolar medications has also been a journey for me. I've tried over 20. Some became sure no-goes. Others, maybe worked at times (or with certain combos) but not others.

I do agree with my long-time psychiatrist that "We all have our own flavors of the disorder." That's not to say we don't relate in many ways, but our journeys will be all our own. We are also NOT our disorder! I disagree with anyone who says we are.

Thanks,

I have a support group but cause of covid it has been cancelled for a year. They do use zoom but due to my anxieties I don't go on it or even know-how to use it.

I see a Therapist, Psychiatrist, CPN Community Psychiatric Nurse and a Peer Support Worker. I've been doing phone sessions with them all but lately have been seeing my CPN and Peer Support Worker face to face.

I have Stephen Fry's dvd that explains in his words what it is like having bipolar. I watch YouTube videos on it too but again you American's are way better at doing videos than us Brits. I follow bipolar pages on Facebook and save the into for a later date.

I also have a Zung Self Rating Depression Scale and a Young Mania Rating Scale I do weekly on my phone. Plus apps.

But I seem to be stupid as nothing goes in???

Ps I hate the "oh your bipolar???????" Nope sorry I have bipolar. Think terminology has a lot to do with it huh??

So Sorry to hear that you're struggling. i am afraid i don't have much to add myself. However i think it is normal to have doubts about your own diagnosis sometimes so i wouldn't worry too much about that and i'd try to simply understand what you can with little steps. Sorry this post isn't really helpful but i'd rather not give bad advice. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @Miss Laura, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

Psych Education is a great place to learn about BP. It's mainly about BP2 but has tons of information that applies to BP1. It's written by a pdoc who specializes in BP and he has tons of information.

What bothers me about most of the books I've read about BD is that they aren't realistic in some ways. They tend to strictly follow the DSM-V list of bipolar disorder symptoms. But the truth is, some of those symptoms fit for some people, sometimes. The best education I've found is from peers. Kay Redfield Jamison's books are still the best books I've read on BD.