Bipolar recovery

[Piano007]

Hi, I’m struggling to recover from a depressive episode that started 5 months ago. I’m doining much better but still not feeling so confident and energized as I hope to feel. Does anyone have any comforting words for me?

Hi Piano, no comforting words I'm afraid as I am in the same position - my depression started about 4 months ago. I feel that my recovery has been slow because I had a couple of medication changes and have only just started to make progress in the last few weeks. I am also newly diagnosed( aged 56) so am still coming to terms with the diagnosis. Is this your first episode?

This is my fourth episode, but it is my first after being diagnosed. I'm close to your age, I'm 46. My last three episodes happened after I turned fourty, so I suspect it could be low levels of hormones involved. Your post was actually comforting for me, it feels good not to be alone in this.

Definitely feel that my BP is hormone related too. Is this episode worse than your previous ones? I definitely think that my lack of energy is due to Olanzapine which I am hoping to reduce to 2.5mg fairly soon. Is your medication helping?

This episode is different from the previous ones, maybe a bit lighter. But this time I checked myself into a mental hospital just a couple of days after I got sick. I was hospitalized for a month. It was mostly a good experience. I'm on lithium, seroxat and estrogen, and it feels like estrogen is giving me the best effect. (I had a hysterectomy and oopherectomy a year ago)

Have you gone back to your dr and talked to them? I'm glad you say you're feeling much better, that is a big improvement! What can you do to get more energy?

Hi there I have bipolar 2 and in the midst of a depressive episode it's bloody grim isn't it? I can't offer much advice but I send you a big hug x

Hi and thank you both for your encouraging posts. It helps! I saw my psychiatrist today, and she seemed to think I was improving. Well I have improved but I am feeling impatient and tired of not feeling myself. I have found that walking at least 30 min each day helps with my energy. In the beginning I had to force myself to walk, but now it is easer to feel motivated.
I totally agree that a depressive episode is bloody grim. I really appriciate the hug, I sending a big hug back!