Questions Bipolar Version #8

Last question:

Do you wish you could see your tdoc and pdoc more or less often?

Answer:
Not really. I think my therapist thinks we could do less but I feel safer at the weekly visit level.

Question:
What is the last thing you bought?

Some potting soil and a couple of saucers to go under the plant pots.

Did you have a disappointment today?

Yes, my therapist took the week off on just a few hours notice. I hope she's not doing one of her month-long "disappearing acts."



If you could be somewhere right this minute, where would you be? Alone or with someone?

I am alone right now, but it would be nice to see my daughter. I haven't heard from her in a little while now.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Humor. Also baking and writing.

Do you tend to tell a lot of stories?

if it comes to nostalgia. I like to look back on things, especially toys I used to own, or experiences I had

not so much about the present day

question: have you ever had someone who you thought was being really supportive turn round and hurt you just like that/ speak behind your back

Yes, my so-called best friend.

What is the worst side effect you put up with now or have tolerated in the past?

My worst were in the past. Severe akathisia from Geodon was a major doozy. Severe! Also, I had a period of hyperprolactinemia on Invega. It's bad enough to have lactation, but to have it cause a pituitary microadenoma was the last straw. Plus, I was depressed on that mix of Invega and Depakote ER. It made me gain the most weight ever, and my blood work results so bad that I had to go to a dietitian.

My current med mix is a comparative dream. Very tolerable side effects. Unfortunately, I do still live with permanent damage to my kidneys and thyroid from Lithium, but my current mix doesn't exacerbate them.

Do you consider yourself child-like in any way(s)?

My moments of anger make me feel like a toddler having a temper tantrum. Also when I go through euphoria I feel childlike glee for really no apparent reason. Do you ever feel trapped inside yourself?

yes, in a lot of ways- mainly I want to remain a kid and by a kid, I don't just mean mentally.. I mean actually being at a kids age and getting a chance to have a better childhood

but also I hate my body. I must be related to shrek- his sister or something.

do you find gaming a good source of distraction?. do you do gaming at all?

If you mean video games, I've never been into them. Too much time wasted for a brief few months, as a teenager while my lame boyfriend at the time played games with other boys, while I stood there like a lemon waiting for him to remember I existed. It sort of put me off video games, and the boys/men who play them for life ..lol.

Do you suffer seasonal allergies?

I don’t, thank God. I heard local honey can help. If you are on disability, what made you decide to go that route? Like what symptoms were most unbearable. If you aren’t on disability, what has been the hardest obstacle to overcome and how have you done so?

I had no choice when I got sacked from my job my mental health team made me apply for disability and within weeks I had a face to face interview and the guy took one look at me and said yeah you can't work. This was 10 years ago this May. I have applied for jobs but been discriminated against in all 6 interviews. I would love to not be on disability but if I wasn't on it I would need to work and I can't work so it's a catch 22. Symptoms wise I couldn't tell you as we are different in the UK than USA

Question: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in re to your mental health?

Completing a very rough treatment for PTSD

Are you oldest, middle or youngest in your family?

I am the youngest. Have you ever been discriminated against by an employer?

Yes, I am currently facing issues with my employer

Does your psychiatrist allow you to have input into what medications you take?

Yes, but he's not the type who acts like he wants me to be totally in charge. He is the expert. He acts like it. I respect that.

What is a trait of your therapist or psychiatrist that you respect?

He doesn’t talk about diagnosis or push medication.

Do you use thc or cbd ?

No

Are you seeing signs of spring yet where you live?

For today, yeah. Our snow has turned to corn (Wish I could go skiing!), and it's pretty warm (upper 30's).

How good at dancing are you?

I am very good. I studied ballet (and other types of dance) for a total of at least 14 years in my youth and early-mid adulthood. In my youth, I was invited to audition at the School of American Ballet, which is the ballet school for the New York City Ballet (one of the best in the US). I never pursued a career in dancing, in the end. Long story! In any case, I may not be in perfect shape or practice anymore, but I still have natural talent.

I think that my bipolar disorder always gave me a little edge over some other dancers. The edge was disinhibition, plus maybe creative tendencies often present in those with bipolar disorder.

How good is your memory for songs?

My memory for songs is excellent. My kids used to laugh when they were little and say, "Mom, you know the words to every song!"



What was your favorite toy as a kid?

my amazing amy doll. it was just like a real baby.
do you like children? (in other words, looking after them)

In general, yeah. I've never really been responsible for otherwise unsupervisored children, but at my old job I'd be responsible for about 20 kid's safety (with parents usually nearby) some days. Loved those days.

Have you ever had a plant burger?

Oh, wow, yes! I've been eating them since the late '70's since they were called "health food" and most people thought they were weirdo hippie food.



Do you have tea (or coffee) time most afternoons?