Questions bipolar version #11

My first memory if of my mom bringing my new baby sister home from the hospital when i was two. She sat with my sister in her arms and i peaked at them from across the room hiding behind a chair. My mom said i wouldn't go to her because she had left me. My mom asked me if i wanted to hold my sister and i said no because i was afraid i would drop her. And now my sister is gone. My baby sister. Younger than me. So unnatural. Two years now.

What do you do when you're bored?

Go to my mom's house and pester her (we live next door); facetime or youtube; reading; streaming shows, exercise when I'm finally healthy enough (rough summer with injuries and now covid).. Sometimes just walking to the mailbox helps.

What color is your living room and bedroom? If you don't get to paint what would you choose if you could?

My living room would be a pale forest green and my bedroom teal, unfortunately I have apartment white.

Black. And then I would stick those glowing stars all over the walls (where there's room). Unfortunately we also have a white walled apartment.

I have exactly what I want but I am likely moving and may have to re-think my colors. Not sure if one will be too bright. Thanks to COVID I haven't seen the new house yet (I'll be a basement tenant). Anyway my bedroom is a grey-ish green and my living room a pretty blue. It's not bright but it's not dull either. I hated apartment white when I had it. I rented a mobile home in grad school that was all dark wood paneling and that was better than apartment white.

What do you do when you wake up in the night and need to ride out some time as you fall asleep again?

I check my FB messages and notifications. Bad, I know.

Do you sleep through the night or do you wake up tossing / turning?

I usually wake up several times to go to the bathroom. Sometimes I get back to sleep easily and sometimes I toss and turn.

When do you usually start Christmas shopping?

early fall

Do you sleep with a top sheet or just the bottom one (or none at all)?

Both sheets and a thin blanket

Interesting question, I just assumed everyone slept with both, so same Q

I sleep with both. My sister's family doesn't which I think is weird and why I asked. I know other people who just use the bottom sheet as well. I couldn't stand that.

Do you listen to audiobooks?

Bottom sheet as in one you put over your mattress? I certainly hope so!

No. I don't listen to audiobooks.

What question or questions do you hate most that your therapist asks you?

"How are you?" "What are your plans for the rest of the [day/week(end)]?"

worst side effect you've had?

Whole body akathisia and unable to move or drink out of a glass. It was like Parkinson’s but med induced!

Have you had group therapy?

Yes, I found it useful. I’ve been in iop and php a few times and think it’s miles better than ip.

Do you think insurance should better cover php and iop for longer times to actually benefit with stability instead of so short term?

Yes.

Hell. I think insurance should cover EVERYTHING better.

Worst withdrawal YOU'VE EVER HAD from a psych med?

Seroquel. I was on a huge dose (1500 mg I think) and tapered off it while tapering onto clozaril. I knew going in that it would be really hard and I had to do it IP for safety. When I go to the hospital it is to a mood disorder unit that has some things that are nicer than a regular floor but in return there are expectations like attendance at all groups is expected. It got to the point i had a pdoc note in my chart that I didn't have to go to groups, something so rare that they didn't believe me when I told them. But once I was through the 2.5-3 weeks it was fine. I don't know if it would have been better with a lower dose; I assume so.

Of all the side effects you've ever had which was the worst?

The tick I developed on seriquol. It was the first AP I took and was no longer under Dr care.

What is your biggest strength?

Tenacity. Or so my therapist and pdoc tell me. Over and over. So I guess I should believe them.

What is your favorite job you ever had?

Depending on the day, ski area lift operator or amusement park ride operator. Comparing worst day to worst day, lift operator was better. Best day to best day? Ride operator. Average day? probably ride. Less boring.

If you could become a master trainer/animal communicator but of only one wild animal species, what animal would you want that to be?

Chimpanzees or gorillas. I love when one of them interacts for a moment or two while at the zoo.

What is one of your favorite pleasant memories?

Champagne powder day at this ski area called Black Mt. It’s a hidden gem. People think it’s for beginners and families (it is) but if you know where to go, there’s some downright nasty stuff to be found (in a good way). I don’t even know if they’re still in business anymore, I’ve heard both ways. They don’t have snowmaking from what I remember so probably not given the past few winters.

Favorite band? (Raspberrytorte is forbidden to answer this since we already know lol)

Damm it. Lol

I’m old, you really want to know? Alright you asked. Herman’s Hermits preteen, teen Queen or Fleetwood Mac

Younger people what’s your answer?

Rage against the machine

If you had 60 seconds on TV, what would you do?

Cry. I hate TV. Don't even own one. Do people still watch TV?

That's actually kind of a good question.

Do you watch TV?