The Bipolar Support Thread

[BippityBoppity87]

Hi everyone Just thought I'd start a shiny new thread for anyone who is suffering from bipolar disorder.

Hope everyone is ok!

I seen the trolls comment earlier when I came to post. I didn't post as I didn't like to answer being angry 😠

I'm waiting on my psychiatrist calling back, my next appointment is 21st February so quite a while away.

Your team seem to be on the ball bippity and taking good care of you. I hope the mood chart helps, it sounds like it could be a good thing to do.

It does seem that way. I think they know me better than I know myself sometimes!

That does seem really far away. My next psych appointment is on the 31st, then I think every 6 weeks after that until things are a bit more settled. I had to fill out a depression questionnaire, which I do every week, and it was 0. She was concerned that I might be going back to being too happy (as it was 24 or something about 5 months ago) but I don't think I am at the moment.

Think it just means the meds might actually be working.

I did think it was bizarre post Diary!

I miss my old psychiatrist. I seen him every few weeks when we were reviewing meds and a bit longer in between when I was stable. The receptionist said "oh you'll have to phone your go" then "I can get the psychiatrist to phone you".

That's rubbish. You would think they would want to keep a closer eye, especially when moods can be quite erratic. I'm quite impulsive, so whatever mood I'm in will relefect what I do. I was saying today about how I alsmost dyed my hair and apparently it's no unusual to go a completely different colour when you're feeling a bit manic. I thought it was just me!

Just been filling out an early warning signs worksheet thing I was given for mania and depression in my house and what I do.

Seeing it all written down in black and white, I think gosh, how did I not realise I was bipolar?! Been in denial for so long. It's really incredible.

I know I'm the same, I was misdiagnosed diagnosed with PTSD so went to counselling for that for a year, then went back to my GP with 2 sides of paper with lots of notes and he sent me to the psychiatrist and the rest is history

Oops pressed send too quick!

I just googled my psychiatrists name. No idea why but it brought up 2 reviews. One saying "he saved my life" and one very long review, saying he was a "nightmare" "didn't listen" and lots more bad things about him. He still hasn't phoned.

Now you said that, I just tried to google my psychiatrist. Nothing. Although it's come up with a bunch of stuff where I go for CBT and where my psychiatrist is based. For acute schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I'm in the right place then!

Mine is just 4 blocks from mild - severe depression warning signs, and mild -severe mania warning signs. Not going to lie, I'm running out of space haha.

That's rubbish he hasn't phoned yet. Can you chase them up? I was the same when I was having an acute episode, thought I was going to burst out of skin. Rang my local psych hospital who just told me to ring the gp so I rang my therapist instead who helped calm me down immensely and told me to make an emergency appointment with the gp straight away for some diazepam. I had managed to calm down by the evening so didn't bother. Plus I've had it before when I was on citalopram and it did bugger all.

I remember I couple of months ago I was waiting to go in (appointment was at 9am, but they don't open their doors until 9am) and there were a fair few people outside. I thought 'gosh, it's quite busy today!' No they were all wanting the foot place, which is joined onto the building round the corner. Oh great, just me then hi.

I phoned them back to check he had my mobile number but Ive also plugged the house phone back in just in case. I shouldn't really unplug it but it's mainly cold callers.

I'm just feeling very low and have what feels like a ball of anxiety in my chest/stomach area, it's making me feel sick. I don't think he's going to call today and I don't feel it's important enough for the out of hours.

Oh no, is there anything that has caused it? Or has it come out the blue? I was going to say make an appointment with the gp but it's Friday doh! Can you ring nhs24? They might be able to help? Or give you emergency meds to help with the anxiety?

I had anxiety & panic attacks recently at work, what really helps is breathing exercises.

Breathe in for 3 counts then out for 3 counts.

Also distraction techniques such as playing some good music, reading a book, exercise or whatever works for you.

And you should be able to call the CMHT or crisis team now.

Good luck.

Thank you. I have some diazepam I can take if needed. I'm listening to music just now but my son just came in with friends and interrupted me. I'll be okay. Hopefully he will call me back early next week.

How are you feeling now? Maybe take the diazepam and see how you feel? Or just half a tablet?

Hopefully. I would chase them up if you don't hear anything by mid week. Considering how serious an illness it is, you would think they would be more on the ball before it turned into a full blown episode

I got logged out and couldn't remember my password so had to rejoin with a slightly different name

I'm going to take half a Valium I feel all right chested and angsts but okay ! My sons taken over the living room for a night so it's me and the tv in my bedroom tonight

Tight chested

I've lost all my threads I'm on now. I really wanted to see how some of them panned out I'll have to go looking!

Oh no that's rubbish!

Do you just have the one name? I NC for mental health, I know I'm a wimp lol, but I've actually kept it now as I think fuck it, from the words of Gloria Gaynor, I am who I am.

Hopefully the Valium will help.

Thank you 😊

Yes I just have the one name, I try not to care what other people think. I do though

Just had words with my son, he usually has 2 friends in, tonight he's got 6. He asked if he should ask them to leave I said "yes do"! He didn't. They are being quiet and the soaps are on so I'm happy! Very easily pleased

I'm having intrusive thoughts again. I thought I had got over this. I really really want to self harm and I don't know why. Really trying to fight the urge not to.

Oh no! Try not to. You need to distract yourself, do you have someone at home with you?

I think I was just tired and fed up. I'm feeling much better now. I don't know where it came from. Just out of the blue. I took my tablet and went to bed instead. I'm so glad I didn't as I always regret it.

I'm pleased you're okay. Remember to write it down, you might see a pattern or trigger to the way you're feeling.

Maybe. I think I do need to start writing stuff down. I think tiredness was a trigger, which affected my mood big style.

Tiredness and not sleeping are huge triggers for me as is stress. If I get stressed I feel awful