[Kbear815]

I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and depression disorder on top of that, along with many other mental illness's with it. I just got out of a really bad deep depression episode that lasted about 2 months. My last one this bad was Oct/Nov. This time I had been sent home from work from multiple emotional breakdown and even had them at drill and I did not even know why. Just simple questions of how are you would start them. I am in the military and I even got told by one of my higher ups I can not let my soldiers see me like that again. I had to stop counselling for 2 months due to people trying to make me sign over my notes, which I finally won the case of so I am back in counselling. I was just waking up, taking care of my dog, attempting to work and sleeping (or trying to) on my couch. I was having fleeting thought of how things would be better without me and how I was sick of this but as a psych major and working in BH i know they are typically temporary. I ended up failing a class and barely passing another and being put on financial and academic probation because I just had NO motivation to even try. I quit one job and back on probation at my other job. We are still playing with my medications and on my 6th try with an antidepressant. If I go through another one of these episodes, I will probably loose my job and get kicked out of school....Living with mental illness's can be challenging, especially when others around you cannot be supportive and understanding.

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Kbear815! I read your introductory post where you mention the VA, but who is actually providing you care? Are you in contact with a VA social worker or a Veterans Service Organization? (Feel free to ignore the questions.)

Please make yourself at home here.

[Kbear815]

My psychologist is through the VA but my counselling is through the Vet center. I also talk to my units embedded clinician.

[Alchemilla]

I am also bipolar and suffering in a depressive episode. It is very painful.

[Nammu]

As a rule antidepressants don't work well floor bipolar, have they tried Latuda or mood stabilizers?

[Kbear815]

Im on both antidepressants and mood stabilizers

[Hbcrew]

Hi, I am newbee and suffer from bipolar disorder . I am currently going through a really bad episode of depression and totally understand when you say how challenging this can be with no support. I wish people could be more understanding and /or knowledgeable what a struggle and how exhausting and draining coping with this is.

[AlissaLu]

I feel so comforted just hearing that I am not alone. I have been at such a low point for so long now, and my doctor just added Latuda to my Wellbutrin and Zoloft. I have two kids and a full time job and it is just so hard to get through the motions of each day. I retreat to bed any chance I get. Just doing what needs to get done is exhausting. My kids also have needs which makes me more stressed and want to retreat more. I am hoping the Latuda helps. It's only been a few days of a low dose, and I've had nightmares every night since starting, but I am crossing my fingers that improves. And yes, if only there was not such a stigma and others around us would really understand.