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#1
Apr 01, 2009, 08:12 AM
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How do you accept that you have a mental illness and accomodate the illness without letting it define who you are???
I know I have a disorder and I have made life changes to accomodate it but it upsets me that I have had to do that and can't be a regular, "normal" person and right now I feel like the illness is controlling me. At what point do I take control back and not let the illness play such an important part in my life???? |
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#2
Apr 01, 2009, 08:27 AM
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It's not an easy thing to do. I've been diagnosed since I was about 22 and now I'm almost 30. The thing to remember is the illness is not YOU. It is a part of you, yes. But there are so many other aspects to you than just bipolar disorder. You have completed the first and one of the hardest and most important steps of adjusting... acceptance. You should be proud of that!! You even said that you've altered parts of your life to accomodate the "bipolar side" of you and that's great as well... It's more than what most newly diagnosed people have done for themselves!
Is it inconvenient and hard to deal with? Yes, it is. But it's just an obstacle of your life. Don't let the illness define who you are, because like I said, there are so many more aspects to you... so much more than just "bipolar disorder." Maybe you haven't discovered them yet and maybe you should consider some therapy with a good therapist to help you find those qualities in you. I know some serious outpatient therapy has helped me big time. I wish you all the best, sweetie. Hang in there... it's not easy, but it can be done.
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"The Monster's Loose, you've lost your last excuse... Now show me that you've got it, even if you crawl... [/SIZE]The Monster's Loose, this game is win or lose... Sometimes you've gotta do it and show the world you want it all..." - Meat Loaf, "The Monster's Loose"
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#3
Apr 01, 2009, 09:33 AM
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i could relate to how you are currently feeling. when i was first diagnosed bpd i couldn't adjust well to the diagnosis. for some reason it made me angry. i had stated to my t "i just want to be normal." i felt the bpd was controlling my life...how i felt...when i felt, etc. my t made some helpful suggestions...he said if you have high blood pressure what does one do? of course i said, see the doc and take pills to control the high blood pressure. he replied yes and that's what you can do with the bpd. take medication to balance the chemicals in your brain and come to therapy to help you too. over time i realized that what he told me was true. i became more balanced with my moodswings and the therapy helped me to learn to cope with life things. this combination really worked for me. it is difficult to accept for some ppl like you and me. but from my expereinces i can tell you that it can be done. i hope this helps you in some way.
 keep posting and get out your frustration. that also helps relieve the stress that you will overcome in time i'm sure.
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Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours..~Ayn Rand |
 Michah
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