August 31, 2010
I was just diagnosed with BP after struggling for many, many years without help or medication, any advice for a newbie? I don’t know much about it, but I’ve had 3 violent episodes in the past month almost landing me in jail. I’ve been put on a mood stabilizer and xanax and I have counseling once a week. Is there any …way to help my family understand better too? My husband seems kind of confused still and I have a step-daughter to care for too. It’s just so damn hard! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ahhh the ups and downs of being newly diagnosed. (As if you don’t already have enough ups and downs to deal with!) There’s always the battle between; Should we be excited now that we know what’s wrong? and No, that can’t be right! I can’t have Bipolar! Bipolar people are crazy…I’m perfectly normal! And THEN we get to add [...]
August 30, 2010
How about how much of being Bipolar has affected your daily life? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Bipolar, Surprisingly little! Before I was properly diagnosed, my life was always in a constant flux. I was going from one extreme to the other and had no idea why. My doctors were giving me one anti-anxiety medication after another, which made things worse. I had panic attacks all the time. I never knew which “me” I was going to wake up being. You could say that being Bipolar has actually made my life easier. Since my diagnosis, I am on a medication that is working and have learned so much. Aside from sticking to a routine for my medication, I live just as anyone without Bipolar does. I am not allowing Bipolar to rule my life, although I do closely monitor my moods. I use a mood tracker to track how I am feeling from [...]
August 29, 2010
Ever have one of those days where just everything is going wrong? You think you’re starting to get a handle on things…… and then BAM! One more thing goes wrong and your brain just seizes up, stops working, refuses to restart…just goes KAPUT! You have no coping skills, no ability to form a rational thought, and completely no ability to reach out for help, well, because your brain is not working. Well that’s the kind of day I’m having. I’m dealing ( well I guess not really because my brain isn’t working ) with a lot of stressors right now. I’m completely overwhelmed, anxious, and I feel a monumental panic attack coming on. Let me give you an analogy that I think best describes what I’m going through and how I feel today. I hope it makes sense, because remember, my brain’s not working. You’re driving in your car, it’s [...]
August 28, 2010
If you haven’t noticed yet, we’ve added a few new authors! I’m super excited about this change. With more authors we are going to be able to ask so many more questions! How spectacular is that! With new authors comes a new schedule *ducks from lettuce and tomatoes being thrown at me* I promise the changes are good!!! Here we go … Hey you? Yeah you in the corner…I see you. Don’t you go rolling your eyes at me buddy! Ahem…where were we. Why yes. New schedule! Mon – Friday We answer questions! *tosses confetti* Saturday We ask a question! (I love asking questions. You guys are rockin answerers!) Sunday is a day for Author posts. We will randomly be posting things pertaining to bipolar disorder, but that are not prompted by a question. See, I told you it wasn’t that bad! *wipes forehead* So how are YOU liking the [...]
August 27, 2010
That’s right! It’s Friday, which means I totally get to ask the question. Are you jealous? Cuz you should be! Asking questions is fun! (And if the jealousy moves you, feel free to submit a question of your own….just sayin….) Which lasts longer for you (or the person you know with bipolar), the mania or the depression? Bonus question… What is your BP diagnosis (BP I, BP II, etc.)? Do you have a question that needs answering? Click here to submit… Tweetac90ed96264f4833a6af872daefc7b3cLink to this post!
August 26, 2010
I have recently become allergic to many antidepressants and what doesn’t give me asthma makes me manic. ECT is being suggested. I’m not keen on this option. Does anyone have thoughts about this treatment? Thanks ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ECT involves placing electrodes on the temples, on one or both sides of the patient’s head, and delivering a small electrical current. This aims to shock the brain and to restore its natural chemical balance. ECT is often used in people who are close to or have attempted suicide as a fast measure to ‘put things right’. It is a proven method and does work for many patients. ECT and anti-depressants as a follow up is a good strategy in ensuring long term wellness. There is no need to fear ECT which many people associate with the old films of electric shock therapy and again its a very proven device to solving depression. My [...]
August 25, 2010
What do you think you’re good at because you’re bipolar? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I think the thing I’m best because I’m bi-polar is helping other people… I’m able to put myself in their shoes and talk them through difficult times… I am good at listening to other people and giving the best advice I can, no matter the severity of their problems… Having a mental illness really gives me insight into other peoples problems… Now, that’s not to say I know what everyone feels like at all times, or what it’s like to go through everything that person is feeling, but I am definetely able to sympathize… And being able to sympathize with people, allows me to open my heart in order to pray with them… Just being with a person in a time of need really helps them, and I am available to do that… Of course, I also have some [...]
August 24, 2010
For an open thread. I’m super not feeling well today and cannot concentrate on anything long enough to say something intelligent. So … what do you want to talk about today? Don’t be shy! And for anyone who is having a bad day…this always cheers me up! (Why yes, I am aware that I am strange!) Do you have a question that needs answering? Click here to submit… Tweet7629dbd191d812b6de2cf5f903ef41b0Link to this post!
August 23, 2010
What do you think you’re good at because you’re bipolar? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What a fun question! There have actually been studies done to prove that those with mental illnesses, particularly bipolar disorder, have a greater chance of being highly artistic. Many famous writers and artists have suffered from a mental illness. (ie Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, Michelangelo, Virginia Woolf, Patty Duke, Van Gogh, Beethoven, and so many more. Needless to say, I think those with mental illnesses are very likely to be artistically talented in one way or another. I myself have an onslaught of semi-hidden talents. As many of you already know, I’m an aspiring novelist. I’ve been writing since I could pick up a crayon. I wish I’d have explored this talent further way earlier in life, but what ya gonna do? Anyone who knows me personally knows that my second greatest love in the artistic field is singing. [...]
August 22, 2010
All three of my babies are going to be in school this year. *sniff sniff* I’ve contemplated getting a part time job to pass the time, maybe bring in a little extra cash (I like new shoes)… BUT Last school year I had to pick PDog from school anywhere from 1 to 5 days a week. I think at this point he’s a bit more stable on his meds, but I’m not sure if I will be free from having to pick him up still from time to time (or 3 times a week) And then what if he has to go on another three months of home bound schooling like last year? This has stopped me from pursuing any employment as I’m pretty sure most companies are not THAT flexible. So my question for you is … Has being bipolar or raising a bipolar child interfered with your ability [...]
August 21, 2010
This past week has been amazing. I am through week 1 of an exciting blog tour. An when I hear the word ‘tour’ I totally think of Singers and Bands on tour…so I can’t help it, I feel kinda speshal this week! At first I was a bit nervous. I mean, what if I had something in my teeth or my breath stunk. Or seriously, what if someone had on the same outfit as me! But then I remembered it was virtual tour (not to be confused with a real estate virtual tour…) and I could basically sit back and my PJ’s and answer question after question and no one would know the difference… crap I just totally admitted to answering my questions in my PJ’s!!! *bangs head on key board* Soooooo how bout I just go ahead and post the links to this weeks tour! Stop One – Mindy’s [...]
August 20, 2010
We all remember the moment of our diagnosis, our age, how long we’d been misdiagnosed, etc. However unless we are talking about our children, we rarely mention how old we were when we started experiencing symptoms. So my question for you … How old were you when you first started experiencing symptoms, even if you had no clue they might be related to bipolar disorder? Tweetd1e84d63af75674cb5a140c1bbde2efeLink to this post!
August 19, 2010
I was wondering if you had any non-bipolar siblings and how your relationship is with them? Has your relationship been tarnished because of this illness? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As far as I know, none of my siblings are bipolar. However one of my brothers has ADHD and my two sisters suffer from depression and anxiety. As for my relationships with them, they have definitely not been tarnished due to my illness. With my sisters I think it has actually brought us closer. I’m the “baby” of 6 kids, but it’s funny how when they have questions regarding depression and anxiety, they actually come to me for advice. However, being the youngest of 6 children, and also being an “after thought” in the child bearing process (meaning my closest sister is 5 yrs older and my oldest brother is 13 yrs older) I never really got much of a chance to tarnish any [...]
August 18, 2010
I have BP and I’ve been in a relationship for 2 mths with someone who doesn’t have BP. He doesn’t seem to understand why I am the why I am. How do I discuss this with him so that he can better understand what I’m going through? I feel like my BP is going to scare him away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Being bipolar and in a relationship don’t always mix. So in order to make the relationship last, we have to work twice as hard as a stable person to keep it together, as does your boyfriend. Your extra effort will come in by taking care of yourself, staying on meds and keeping up with your treatment plan. His extra effort will be displayed by learning about your illness. He’s never going to understand you if he can’t understand the illness itself. The more educated both of you are, the more likely [...]
August 17, 2010
I am hoping you can speak to the symptoms of the depression side of your illness…as it is very much related just as we are Marybeth! I think there are so many people major symptoms of depression (other than suicidal thoughts) that caused you to seek help? I think there are people out there who don’t realize they could be happier or handling life so much better if the just recognized a few symptoms. I have become friends with gals that remind me of myself before I sought help and it is hard to just stand by. So…question…what are some of the major symptoms of depression that caused you to seek help? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When I entered sixth grade in 2007, I swore to both my mom and myself that this year would be different. This year I would do my homework, get straight As again, and do everything I was [...]
August 16, 2010
My 13 year old daughter has been in a battle with her mental illness for the past 16 months.9 inpatient stays,3 day treatments,in home therapy and out patient therapy weekly. Unfortunately she also has borderline personality traits as well. She seems to like the attention she gets from being ill and does not put in an effort in therapy to get better. She seriously likes going to the hospital. No one seems to know what to do with her anymore,my insurance will not pay for long term and the state we live in (MI)has terrible mental illness care and will not help. Do you have any suggestions?? Thank you. This question has sat with me for a long time. Reading it makes me feel powerless, and I wish I could fix this broken system with three snaps of my finger. To be honest, I know nothing about the language of [...]
August 14, 2010
I would like to know any info or feedback you might have on lexapro. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Though neither Erika or I has had much experience with Lexapro, I was able to hunt someone down who has! Thanks for your help Kaley!!! Dear Lexapro, Yes, I have had experience with Lexapro. Before I was diagnosed as Bipolar, my psychiatrist thought that I had Panic Disorder. Lexapro is used for several things, including anxiety disorders and depression. It is a member of a family of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. They help your brain slow down the absorption of serotonin, which can help with anxiety or depression. I am guessing that you are Bipolar as you are asking a question on this site. Anti-depressants can work in Bipolar patients, especially if you are also taking an anti-psychotic medication (for example, Seroquel, Risperdal, Geodon, or Abilify). They work because they protect you from [...]
August 13, 2010
It’s been a long week and our schedule is off a little. So although we need to clean it up a bit (*runs for her dust rag and windex*) I didn’t want to miss out on our first Friday Question For You! After all, we value your thoughts and opinions too! I can’t say there was anything in particular that prompted the question, though I have seen the conversation floating around the web this week. So …. Drum Roll Please … OUR FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU! Do you feel it’s easier to be ashamed by your illness than to accept it? Tweet94ea34b82ce45152bc081353968efb44Link to this post!
August 11, 2010
Did you feel worse knowing that you had a diagnosis that was not going to go away, you weren’t going to outgrow it, or did you pretty much know already before the diagnosis that you were always going to struggle with this? Of the years I remember being alive, mental illness has been apart of nearly all of them. From the days I scratched my arms when overwhelmed to when I seemed to be on the run. It was always there, laying in the background of almost every thing I did or said. Nearly everyday, I would meltdown in some way or the other, and my mood changed so fast that I would often leave other kis hurt and confused. Teachers and daycare workers would yell at me or tell me to calm down; but I never could. My emotions were in control of me, not the other way around. [...]
August 10, 2010
Today’s scheduled post has unfortunately been postponed. (Sorry Mama Bear!) Erika’s health has become a concern. She has posted the details on her blog (click here). She will still be posting occasionally, but not regularly as she has been. Please say prayers and keep her in your thoughts. I know she and her family a quite scared right now and I can only imagine how hard it must be. Tomorrow’s post will be there as planned. If there are any changes to you questions answer date I will send out emails to let each person know. With Love, Marybeth Tweete23377b31e42da8fa1ec1a2e1707699dLink to this post!
August 9, 2010
How has bipolar affected friendships throughout your lives? What was it like when you first discussed your illness with friends? How long did it take for you to feel comfortable being open with friends about your illness? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Give me one friend, just one, who meets the needs of all my varying moods.” – Esther M. Clark In my life, I’ve been privileged enough to have MORE than just on friend that has put up with my moods. Two of which have been around the longest. (NOT that my more recent friends aren’t equally as awesome!!!) But these two friends have been through all my ups and oh so many downs since high school. They may or may not deserve big fat trophies for tolerating the crazies! (oooh title for my next book!) To be honest, friendship has always come quite easily for me. I meet people, I charm them [...]
August 8, 2010
Today we have the pleasure of hosting our very first guest blogger Anxious Kaley. Help us welcome her by saying HI and telling her how awesome this post is (and how so completely true!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Each Their Own (Symptoms) “There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth.” ~Maya Angelou There is a mountain of brochures explaining various mental illnesses that I have collected from doctors, support groups, and have gotten in the mail from groups such as NAMI, strewn all around my house . Right now none of them make sense. I am Bipolar I with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. I also have a bit of anxiety thrown into the mix. For the past few weeks I have been questioning why I never feel depressed. I kept thinking back to the “sad egg” Zoloft commercials. Except for a few minor crying spells that last [...]
August 7, 2010
When Erika and I got to talking, we both sat back and realized … “Wow, we don’t get to write about anything other than other people’s questions.” Not that we don’t enjoy it, it’s just sometimes, we have something to say that has nothing to do with questions. Then I got a message from someone asking if we allow guest posts and I was all like, “Ummmmmm…” Needless to say, we needed to reexamine our ideas about posting and what we wanted to make of our blog. Clearly this is difficult when the title of the blog IS Ask a Bipolar. Are we still fulfilling our purpose if not EVERY post is answering a question? The answer we came up with (since we are so spectacular at answering stuff) was ABSOLUTELY!!! I mean, sometimes people don’t know what to ask, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for answers. And [...]
August 6, 2010
How has bipolar affected friendships throughout your lives? What was it like when you first discussed your illness with friends? How long did it take for you to feel comfortable being open with friends about your illness? In the time that I was undiagnosed, untreated, and unstable, Bipolar Illness – and the other diagnoses I bear – pulled me away from other kids, putting up a wall between us that I could not break no matter how hard I fought. While I did have a few friends that stuck by me, and to them I am grateful, most of the welcoming arms and hours spent playing mindlessly seemed to be reserved for everyone else. When it came to me, other kids either teased and harassed me – saying how weird, freaky, fat, ugly, nerdy, and stupid I was – or ignored me completely. I was never picked for projects or [...]
August 5, 2010
I have a sister that suffers from some form of depression however cant say she is bipolar…..However I am…41 years old and been a survivor learning to adapt to the horrible secret life…anyways my question is this..I am bipolar and so is my 19 year old son…how do I transition into healing when he is angry at me…question two..I have a sister that treats me like less then a person when my issues are off at times…I am on my meds and on a program but sometimes i’m just pissed at something…not in a bipolor rage….i’m misunderstood…..help ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’m going to start with the ‘on meds but still pissed off’ part first. Mainly because Erika and I were just talking about that before I even read it. (Actually we still are having this conversation….irony) Being on meds and not feeling 100% better REALLY sucks. Being on meds, and taking them [...]
August 4, 2010
Are there any careers that people with bp disorder cannot do? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Legally? As far as I know, absolutely not. Physically? I’m pretty sure having bp does not affect your ability to lift 20lbs or drive a car. (Not that it doesn’t affect you motivation to do so) So I’m gonna go with no on this one too….but with the caveat of being at a point of stability. Now mentally and emotionally? That’s a whole different story. Being bipolar does not bar you from any one career choice. If you are determined and you are taking care of yourself (via meds and therapy) then you can be what ever the heck you want to be! That’s not to say that every job is RIGHT for someone with bipolar. It all depends on your stability and/or your ability to stay stable. But to be honest, if you are unable to remain [...]
August 3, 2010
I was wondering, when you were given the different labels such as anxiety etc, did this bring relief and confirmation that you were not a bad kid, or did it take the specific diagnosis of bipolar to feel this way? Tweetbb324443b1077629b27d404e5acb3e77Link to this post!
August 2, 2010
Can you have such a bad manic episode that 20 mg. Of ambian really doesn’t help you sleep? I just want to sleep.!! Yes, you can very easily have such a bad manic episode that no amount of drugs seems to be able to knock you out. While I have never been on Ambien, I remember many nights unable to get myself to just fall asleep, at least for a little while. My mind just wouldn’t seemed to slow itself down, and I had all these thoughts ts and ideas that would not leave me alone. I needed to get up and put these amazing ideas to use before I forget. Nothing, no amount of working on projects or running circles in my room, would satisfy that energy. When I looked down at my skin, I swore I could see it oozing out of skin. All I wanted was to [...]
August 1, 2010
How exaclty is Bipolar Disorder diagnosed? Also, are there varying degrees of the disorder? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bipolar Disorder is not easy to diagnose at all. As I’ve mentioned before, BP is the buy one get five free illness. So it is not uncommon for a doctor to notice the other illnesses before catching on that their may be something bigger causing all the symptoms. In my case, I hid the mood swing detail from the doctors. I didn’t want to be manic depressive and I wasn’t going to be labeled as such. After awhile I convinced not only the doctors but also myself that I was only suffering from Depression and ADHD. Fast forward years later and many med changes/med stops/med start ups/big fat lows later… The doctors were always tweaking my meds. The last doctor I saw before my formal diagnosis was a big med tweaker (not to be confused [...]
