Questions bipolar version #10

I need to eat more healthier. I’m not interested in exercising. But this weight gain from medication is killing me. I’m going to watch my calories intake. Carbs are my killer.

Do you enjoy cooking dinner?

Goodness, no! I planned, shopped for, prepared, and cleaned up after my family's dinners for 25 years. I cooked nice dinners, but by the time my youngest child left for college I was very ready to retire from cooking meals. I cook very minimally for myself now.

Are you looking forward to the time changing in a week?

Oh, very very much. It’s been a countdown from the fall back day until spring ahead gets here.

Are you looking forward to summer solstice?

I do like long days, for sure, but otherwise hate the heat of summer. Historically Czech summers were always far milder than the heat and humidity of my native New Jersey's, but that's gradually changing with global warming. The changes are not flukes.

Are you a "morning person"?

Quite the opposite, I'm a "night owl" most of the time.

What's the longest you've been without sleep for any reason?

The longest I've been without sleep is probably 3 days when manic.

What's the LONGEST you've ever slept for and not / hardly gotten out of bed?

It's been a long while since my depressions were really that bad, with hypersomnia. I've been med compliant for many years. When they were, I wasn't exactly counting hours. So I can only estimate. My guess would be around 16 hours of sleep. However, even when I was awake, I didn't necessarily get out of bed for anything other than going to the toilet and maybe getting water and a bit of food. I lived in the bed during many bad depressions. I remember during my junior year of college not getting up or even going to classes for the majority of the semester. My grades were awful. I had also reduced my course load to the minimum. During another depression when living in Taiwan, I simply didn't go to work or classes for several days, barely eating. There was an earthquake of around 6.8 on the Richter Scale. I was in bed, with my bed sliding on the tiles from one side of the room to the other. I stayed in bed and then just went back to sleep immediately. Some days in my boss and his assistants came and took me to a hospital. There are other examples, too.

Have you ever had "bipolar blackouts" where you had amnesia of times during certain bipolar episodes?

Definite amnesia. Usually when manic, not really when hypomanic or depressed.

When was your last bipolar episode - either hypomanic or depressed ?

If we're talking a serious episode that I couldn't handle on my own, a depressive episode two years ago.

Is there a skill set you wish you had? If so, what?

I wish I had the skill to draw, paint and sculpt. I’ve dabbled all my life but ohh, that skill eluded me.

What’s your biggest complaint about pdoc?

I've only seen my new pdoc (Czech) once, so really don't know her well. I guess my biggest complaint at this early stage is that she doesn't speak English very well. To the degree that I ideally should have my husband there to speak for me, which is not ideal. My last pdoc (also Czech) spoke very good English, so going myself worked fine. He was a little stiff, but otherwise very good and responsive.

Do you like your psychiatrist more or less than your therapist? Why?

less... because most of the time their voice is more threatening than supportive. you're going to do this, or I'll do it for you. that kind of thing.

when was the last time you ate bacon.

raging vortex, that is really rough talk from your psychiatrist.

I had some bacon on a bacon-egg-cheese on English muffin maybe four or five days ago. I always enjoy them. It was homemade since there is no McDonald's near me. Normally in the US I like the ones with Canadian bacon, but they don't have that in Czech Republic. Closest would be ordinary ham. The typical bacon I know in the US translates to "English bacon" (Anglická slanina) in Czech Republic. Czech bacon (just "slanina") is even fattier.

What is your favorite breakfast?

I’m not a breakfast person. But when I was a kid and we were going up north to the cabin we got up at 3-4 in the morning to start the drive. By breakfast time we’d be halfway there. I’d be hungry then because I’d been awake so long. I liked hash with eggs. Plenty of hot sauce.

Do you like the look of steam punk?

I do. It's a fun aesthetic, no matter the medium it's in!

What's the first video (or compute) game you ever played? If you've never played video games, what's the first one you became aware of in a big way?

Nintendo Mario bros

I’d have to say Mario brothers. My grandfather went overseas when I was very young and got us a tv plug in with remote controls. I’m pretty sure it also had Pac-Man lol.

Coffee or tea? Which one would you rather drink most of?

Coffee, hands down. Bought a $50 espresso maker, so I can make my own cafe con leche. Studying abroad in Spain ruined me for percolator coffee!



What do you do to destress after a rough day?

Mindlessly scroll social media

Q: What do you do to destress after a rough day?
A: Curl up under my weighted blanket

Q: Do you take vitamins and what are they?

No, I should but they’re so big and I’m tired of the meds I have to take. I tried chewable but bah. I do take iron pills twice a week because I donate blood regularly.

Do you like candles for atmosphere?

Yes, but just on my dining table (during dinner) and only unscented. I usually prefer stick candles because I have nice candle stick holders. I enjoy varying the colors by season or event.

What color and/or design are your bedroom curtains? If no curtains, what do you have (i.e. blind, shade, etc.)?

The curtains are old fashioned lace curtains, they were on the windows when I moved in and I didn’t change them. They let the light in while giving privacy. There’s also a pull-down shade.

Do you think high humidity is oppressive and does it affect you mentally?

I do find high humidity oppressive. I think it makes me feel more anxious.

Do you enjoy milk shakes?

Hmm. That is terrible. And as soupe said it's VERY rough talk from your psychiatrist.

Do you enjoy milk shakes?