March 30, 2011
Does your illness affect your schoolwork? And if so, in what ways do you find that it affects it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ School was always difficult for me and I believe without a shadow of doubt that having untreated bipolar was the cause. Although I was not officially diagnosed until last year I am certain that I’ve had bipolar most of my life. So the simplest answer would be, “When did bipolar not affect my schoolwork?” Most of my school years were difficult for me and I didn’t know why. During my years in school it was difficult for me to concentrate, either because I was too depressed to care about anything or because my mind kept bouncing around from one thing to another. There was seldom a time where my mind was at ease and I wasn’t struggling with an extreme up or down emotionally. When I was depressed I would [...]
March 28, 2011
There is a pretty generic answer to your question, and honestly the generic answers are somehow I doubt what you are looking for. But here goes. There are multiple states one could be in, and different medications help with different states… depressed, anxious, elevated, mixed, mania, etc. The reason behind this all points to neurotransmitters (basically serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) and each medication effects them differently. Rather than attempt to put all the information again (and honestly so that I don’t cause any confusion) the link to the DBSA site about medications will be at the end of this writing. There are: Anti-depressants: the name pretty much says it all… and there are [at least] 7 classes of them based on how they work – definitely take a look at the link below… there is a lot more to anti-depressants than most of us think Anti-psychotics: Of all the names, I [...]
March 25, 2011
Can you identify when you are in a manic or depressed swing, if so, is there anything you can do to lessen the effect? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Be aware. That’s the first rule to effectively managing your symptoms. Be very aware. Now that you know the golden rule, lets explore the specifics. When I was first diagnosed I was given some very good tools in therapy yet when I left I didn’t implement them. Big mistake! Huge mistake! I was back in the hospital within a week. It’s not that I didn’t want to get better, it was just that although I was given the tools I wasn’t quite sure on how to use them yet. After more than a month of treatment and group therapy I was released and this time I was ready. This time I knew what to watch for and what to do when my moods swung. It [...]
March 22, 2011
I don’t know much about bipolar disease. I am wondering what it feels like to have it. Is it hard to deal with? I am sure it is. But I was just wondering how you cope with it? What kinds of things do you do to take your mind off of it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bipolar is a mood disorder and as such, when you have this disorder, you constantly find yourself questioning what most people take for granted as normal, our emotions and thus actions based upon them. It’s an everyday is a struggle. If you’re in treatment and mindful of staying well, part of that awareness is looking at each emotion or lack thereof and deciding is this a normal emotion to have for the particular situation or an extreme emotion? Those with bipolar specialize in extreme emotions. As I like to put it, our moods go up and down [...]
March 21, 2011
How does your family help you with your bipolar? Do you have a routine that you and your family do to help you with your bipolar? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is going to sound absolutely ridiculous…I’m totally aware, but when it comes to my family, I have actually had moments in my life where I’ve felt guilty for being so blessed with the most awesome family ever, when other people that I know are not as fortunate. My family is 100% Awesomesauce! When it comes to my immediate family (parents and siblings), they have aided in so many ways it’s hard to even list them. I’ll do my best though. My sisters are the most amazingly supportive and encouraging friends I have ever had. They are always there to talk to whenever I need it. They try to relate with me whenever possible, and they are always so understanding and willing to [...]
March 20, 2011
Telling our children about our mental illness can be a bit tricky at times. Just recently, my oldest son C has been asking questions about my Bipolar Disorder. I told him I would think about it and get back with him. I wanted to make sure that I could get all the analogy and terms so he could understand. He has asked, “Mom, how do you get Bipolar Disorder?” “How long have you had it?” “Why does it make you act differently at times?” “Do you feel God hates you because of your illness?” I think you get the picture here. Honesty is an absolute must in telling your children about Bipolar. Don’t sugar-coat anything and be up front. Our oldest son C is very smart and he takes things very seriously. I told him that sometimes genetics can make Bipolar show up and other times people just get it. [...]
March 19, 2011
So I noticed something about myself today while I was work. Work affects my moods. I find it much easier to stay upbeat and chipper at work than I do at home. What gives? Does anyone else have this happen? Shouldn’t I be more stressed at work and crankier? Or is it that I am in my element on the job? Cuz I really am. Especially my current job. How bout you? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have a question that needs answering? Click here to submit… Tweet247e5c5631874e6aaa91bf6dad74b19bLink to this post!
March 18, 2011
What is the most difficult thing about everyday life with bipolar disorder? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hmm… Good question!!! There are so many difficult things that happen pretty much daily having bipolar… Sometimes, just getting through the day in one piece can be the most difficult… But if I had to go with something that is difficult most days for me, I would have to say interacting with people… When I’m depressed, I don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone… I want to be completely alone and ruminate in my own mind… I don’t want anyone to know the ‘crazy’ thoughts going through my mind… And, I feel like such a downer, like I make everyone else feel depressed when they are around me… If I have to be around someone, I will try to fake it and pretend that I am ok… I don’t want anyone knowing that I am [...]
March 17, 2011
If I were to help or talk to someone with bi-polar what are some things that are good to say and what things should I avoid saying? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a really good question. When I was first diagnosed, a lot of friends avoided me because they didn’t know what to say and what not to say, which made me feel pretty bad. The one thing I always wanted, and still want, is to feel normal when having a conversation with someone who is not bipolar. I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing a scarlett letter. Starting out a conversation with some general things, such as sports you both enjoy, tv shows, etc. can be good because they break ice and make everyone feel a little more comfortable. Sometimes we just want someone to talk to. Having an ear to listen can sometimes be more helpful than any question you could ask. You [...]
March 16, 2011
How do you feel while in a manic state? I have heard a little about this from someone and i was just wondering what your experience is like. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How does one feel in the manic state? I can tell you what I experience, but I can’t speak for everybody else. I think some of the symptoms are across the board for all people with this disease in a manic high. First, let’s decipher what a manic high is and what hypomania is! There’s a difference. In a complete, blown manic phase people do not sleep, they have delusions of grandeur, they have horrible racing thoughts, their sexual appetite might be very insatiable, and their mind might be thinking things that make no sense. They often lose touch with reality. In a hypomanic state people have racing thoughts, trouble concentrating, have very high energy, get lots done, don’t sleep well, [...]
March 15, 2011
How does bipolar disorder affect your daily life the most? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The most eh? Every day is so different as is the mood I’m in to deal with it. My mood determines how I deal with situations and how well I handle stress. It’s frustrating because what I COULD have dealt with just fine yesterday can totally bring me to tears today. So if I had to pinpoint how it affects me the most, I’d say that it leaves me in a constant state of perpetual frustration. I never know what kind of mood I’ll be in and I hate it. I mean I know everyone has good days and bad days, but with bipolar, your good days can be horrible days just because of the part of the cycle your in. And a bad day can be a freaking party when you’re (hypo)manic. I’m not complaining (much) because it [...]
March 14, 2011
In what ways or areas have you found to be thankful despite or DUE TO your diagnosis with bipolar disorder? In other words, are there ways in which you have actually benefited from having bipolar disorder? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I see two completely separate questions above. The first is asking if I am thankful to have been diagnosed. And the answer is most definitely! I spent the last of my teenage years wondering why I was not happy and why my brain seemed to be doing everything it could to prevent me from getting to happy. “What’s wrong with me?” I asked myself almost every night. Things escalated as I was taking Wellbutrin via my family doctor, and she sent me to a psychologist. The psychologist and his colleague, a psychiatrist, diagnosed me with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and depression. I was not surprised in the least. Besides having to explain the diagnosis [...]
March 13, 2011
Does anyone have any experience with techniques or treatments that help to regain memory loss and concentration problems, … that were caused by ECT treatments? I am addressing the long term results, not the temporary loss folding the first weeks of treatment. I recently read about an oxygen rich chamber that helped people with neurological problems after trauma. Improved memory function was one of the functions that that the chamber seemed to expedite. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I certainly empathize with you as I am undergoing ECT at this time and have been August of 2010. It’s impossible to share the result of an experience like we’ve had and while I don’t want to say our memory loss is the same, suffice to say we’re both suffering from it. Especially the day of treatment I have difficulty recalling where I worked, my phone number, and even my address! I’m hoping these will be [...]
March 12, 2011
During a “valley” in your mood are you aware that the shift in mood is a result of bipolar disorder? If so, does that help you work through it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peaks and Valleys are fun aren’t they! Wait, no, not really. I mean , I don’t mind a little bump in the road from time to to time, and I’m kinda a fan of the peaks, but valley’s. Oh sweet evil valleys. We are so not friends. About 75% of the time I can tell if the culprit of these valleys is bipolar, or if it’s real life. But the other 25% can be VERY frustrating. For instance, last month my grandmother died. Who wouldn’t be in a valley during mourning, right? But was my valley my grief? Some of my actions/feelings felt a bit extreme to be grief. I was lethargic and unresponsive. I was on the verge of [...]
March 11, 2011
When you are having a particularly rough moment or day, is there anything you do to calm down or feel better? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This might make some people roll their eyes, but the best thing that helps me get through a moment is to count to ten. I know, I know…but it seriously helps me to gather my thoughts. As the ten seconds comes to a close, take the time to analyze why you’re having a bad day. As people with bipolar, it’s extremely important to look deep within ourselves when determining what is making our day horrible. Then take responsibility for the rest of the day. If a family member is driving you off the wall, let them know why that is. If a sequence of unfortunate events has brought you to the breaking point, allow yourself ten or fifteen minutes to clear your head and make a plan for the rest [...]
March 10, 2011
What are some positive things of a bipolar person? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What a fun question! Some might be surprised, but I actually have a decent list of things that I find positive about having bipolar. Creativity – This is common in those who have bipolar disorder. I’ve always had a tendency to lean toward the creative side. In grade school I wrote and drew. In high school I sang and drew. And now that I’m old … I love to write. Mothering – My 8yr old son has bipolar. I’m not gonna lie, it’s SUPER difficult. Some days are better than others, but having bipolar also has made parenting him quite a bit easier than it would be if I didn’t know how it was to feel the way that he feels. I can understand him on a level that other parents without this illness wouldn’t be able to. I pushed [...]
March 9, 2011
There is still an opportunity for you to become a contributor to our site! As I have had many entries for authors, I have decided to ask one question (that has been asked on our site) and have those who are interested to write the answer as if you were actually answering the person face to face. The current authors and I will choose two authors from these posts to join our group. Question: What kinds of questions can I ask a friend who suffers from bipolar disorder in order to help me understand him/her better? Please email your sample post/answer to marybeth @ askabipolar . com (remove spaces first) All answers must be submitted by Friday, March 11th by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time). We will review the answers over the weekend and email everyone by Monday morning to let them know our decision. Thank you for your interest. We [...]
March 8, 2011
Ok well not ALL updates. Today’s update is really rather boring. It’s just to let you know that I’ve got the plague (ok, well it FEELS like the plague) and will not be answering today’s post until tomorrow…and tomorrows post until Thursday and Friday’s post on Saturday. (Which means no asking questions for me. Boooo…) Wait!!!! This is my website isn’t it? I’ve just decided to ask a question today instead. Kinda like flipping today and Saturday around. Yay me! Question: When you have the plague are ill, how does that affect your mood? Does it even your mood out because you are too ill to think about it? Or does it bring you down because you feel so horrible physically? (I’m gonna take a wild guess and say it probably doesn’t boost anyone up … but that’s just a guess mind you.) For me, this time at least, I [...]
March 7, 2011
How has your illness affected your relationships with friends and family both positively and negatively? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’m not gonna lie, there has been a whole heck of a lot of negative impact as compared to positive. Relationships are hard. They take work. Regardless of the type of relationship, you have to put effort into keeping it going. However, when you’re bipolar, there are just certain times where you are 100% incapable of putting forward the effort needed. It’s not like we WANT to put less effort in. I’m not trying to make excuses or anything, but I can, in all honesty, tell you that it happens. With my immediate family (mom, dad, siblings…), the impact has not been as negative as it could have been, or as negative as it is for some people that I know. I have been blessed with a wonderful and supportive family. Though I’m sure [...]
March 6, 2011
This blog has officially been active for about … almost 9 months now. Before this, I began browsing other bipolar blogs and started researching as much as I could about the illness. Not to mention both my son and I suffer from bipolar disorder. Why is this information relevant do you ask? Out of those nine plus months (Probably about three years of learning about and meeting others with bipolar), I have YET to meet even ONE person who suffers from bipolar and ONLY bipolar. Thus, somewhere in this last year, while I was talking with my sister I believe, when I was asked about diagnoses I coined the phrase “The Buy One Get Five Free Illness”. My diagnosis … Bipolar II, with a side of ADHD and Anxiety, and for dessert a lovely portion of depression topped off with a sprinkle or two of OCD tendencies. I’m sure there’s [...]
March 5, 2011
Now I’m not saying EVERYONE feels embarrassed or ashamed about having bipolar. And seriously, wouldn’t it be awesome if one day NOBODY felt that way? I know that would be my ideal world! However, if I had to take a wild guess, I’d say there are good percentage of us who have felt this way at some point in time during our illness. I know I did when I first found out I was bipolar. (As I explained in detail earlier this week … click here if you didn’t get a chance to read it.) But what I really want to know is why YOU feel/felt this way. Is it one tiny reason, or a big fat bulk of complication? Have you been able to over come it? Do you think you ever will? Do you want to? OR Have you always been accepting of your illness? Did you just [...]
March 4, 2011
How do you deal with Bipolar and what accommodation do you receive in our everyday life? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bipolar people receive accommodations??? Where and when can I sign up for them?!?! Having bipolar and trying to function like a typical every day Joe Schmoe (if they even exist) can be quite tricky. You constantly have to monitor you moods and your reactions, then judge how much human contact you can handle. When I was doing the stay at home mom gig, this was pretty simple, but now that I am back to work … not so easy. If I’m in a low, which I was lucky enough to be in one the first two weeks of this new job, I have to find a way to channel my depression. Sometimes, work is perfect for this. If I can get lost in a file and keep busy, very little interaction with others [...]
March 3, 2011
How do I deal with the feelings of shame around being bipolar and needing medication? I can easily tell people about my lupus or my fibromyalgia, but when I say “bipolar,” I feel like they are going to be turned off of me. Like “Oh, I get it…she is mentally messed up.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shame and bipolar go together like lupus and fibromyalgia go with physical pain. If you have one, chances are, you’re bound to have the other. Reasons for shame? I think it’s mostly due to the stigma and judgments that clouds our illness. In our minds, we’re scared that telling people will make them think and/or say things about us like … She has bipolar? Well … “She must be mental! Send her to the nut house!” “I don’t want to associate with her. People will think I’m mental too.” “OMG, she’s probably super crazy and unstable.” “I [...]
March 2, 2011
If you could pick one thing that you wanted everyone to know about Bipolar what would it be? And why would you want everyone to know it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I thought a fun way to go about answering this one was to get a few different answers. None of us read the other’s answers before we wrote our own, so it should be interesting!!! SHARI’S ANSWER After much thought to this question this is what I came up with! Are you ready? If there’s one thing I want people to know about Bipolar Disorder it would be that people afflicted with this disease are just people struggling to stay stable and live normal lives like everyone else on the planet. We are not weird, strange or indifferent. We have a chemical imbalance in our brain that causes mood swings we choose not to have, but they happen and they often frustrate [...]
March 1, 2011
I know somebody that has this disorder and I am trying to understand what she is going through, so I was just wondering whether you are aware of the changes in your mood or if it is unexpected? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wow, this question can have many answers to it. However, I will speak personally from my own experiences and hopefully it will help you. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder over twenty-one years ago now. At first when I would experience mood changes I wasn’t too aware of them until they landed me in the hospital. It has been my experience in speaking to other patients that has been the case with them, too. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just happens until you learn a system on how to detect mood changes before they are out of control. For me, detecting mood changes took a while for me to [...]
