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!

Even seeing an ambulance now is quite triggering for me. Sorry, I'm waffling now!

Depression is my main feature, but when I get manic I go straight up to 9 then 10 and then I crash rather spectacularly and become a recluse for a couple of months.

How is everyone?

I don’t think I’ve ever been much above an 8 but have always been sectioned at that point. Only had one very very serious episode of depression which is how we discovered I can’t take antidepressants. It went on for about a year 😕

I’m quite miserable at the moment if I have to do anything

Depression is my main feature too FissionChips I was really bad in the summer. Probably one of the worst episodes I've ever had, which almost got me sectioned. I think I was about a 1 then on the mood scale.

When they gave me anti depressants WhyDidIEatThat I shot up to about an 8. Then I hovered around a 7 for a while and now I'm on aripiprazole I'm probably about a 6.

I’ve never had more than a nights stay in hospital due to MH, even then I just get put on a general ward. I discharge myself the next day and go manically about my life fucking up everything and believing I’m the messiah .

I’ve been doing sweet fuck all lately, not a fan of this time of year, try to make it as stress free as possible.

I thought I was one of God's disciples a couple of weeks ago FissionChips so no judgement here

lots of Gin set that one off!

Hi everyone,
Sorry I've been quiet, I stopped getting notifications for the thread for some reason.

I had a minor operation this time last week, and I've had a slightly bumpy recovery. I have to say though, the enforced rest and TLC combined with the reminder that I'm lucky to be (physically) healthy have done wonders for my mood. It probably helps that it's been the perfect excuse to stick my head in the sand with regards to finances too but I'll cross that bridge after Xmas I think.

Also feeling quite proud of myself because when people have been getting in touch with "get well soon" wishes I've made the effort to arrange a Christmas catch up. I normally shut myself off when I'm feeling down so I'm making the conscious effort to be sociable.

Some of you were talking about loosing friends when "coming out" as Bipolar. I used to dread it and keep it a secret, but now I've turned it around as a useful arsehole filter - anyone who treats me differently after I disclose, I immediately distance myself from. I swear it's the way forward!
I'm very lucky that I've found the vast majority of people to be supportive and understanding, and lots of people have also felt "safe" with me to reveal their own diagnoses or struggles with MH after I've started the conversation. I should say though, I would recommend being strong and stable (haha, never thought I'd quote Theresa May!) Before you take too much out of yourself for other people.

With regards to managing meds too, I have a little cash box that locks to keep mine safe from the kids. They're a bit older now and know not to touch people's meds but it's something I started when they were little. It also means everything can be kept in original packaging so that if I ever need paramedics (I have quite severe asthma), they can see what I'm on easily.

Hope everyone else is doing ok today

Hiya Lostandinsane I've found similar experiences when I've told a select few who I know I can trust, some of which have MH issues too, which I wouldn't have known about if I hadn't opened up. Makes me feel less isolated and alone.

I think I'm a steady 4, never been an 8 was a 7 for a good few months pre diagnosis.

I don't really tell many people I have bipolar. People are so quick to judge. I was seeing a man around the time of my diagnosis and he disappeared very soon after I told him I had been diagnosed with bipolar. I never chased him to query his decision.

I don't know if I've said but I have a new psychiatrist and he's taking me off olanzapine in the New Year, he thinks as long as I stay away from antidepressants I'll be okay. I can hardly sleep as it is so this is worrying me just now. It feels like just when I get "stable" some thing happens to pull the rug out.

I got a call back from my psychiatrist who said I can take aripiprazole at night now. He said the reason why to take it in the morning is that it can be quite 'activating' there's that word again!

Some people are dicks Lostandinsane like what was said up thread, it makes a good arsehole filter!

Oops that was for DiaryofWimpyMum 🤦‍♀️

Hi everyone. I've rtfl and have taken comfort that I am not the only person suffering. Struggling alot with the depression side right now. I am on olanzapine and amytriptoline. Have been putting off going back to the gp but know I need to.

Bippity that's great your able to take your aripiprazole at night.

Hey everyone. I also have Bipolar (II) and a few other diagnoses.
Currently off meds, and have been for over year, as we're ttc. But before that I took Lamictal and alprazolem. Been on Lithium as well five-six years ago.

Hi mama
I came off my meds when I became pregnant. The pregnancy hormones actually helped my mh bizarrely. Had to go back on them when my baby was 2 weeks old. Was quite terrifying how quickly I went from ok to full symptoms.

Do any of you drink alcohol? I haven’t drunk since I started taking meds about a year ago. When I go hypermanic I would drink LOADS. Obviously made the crash so much worse.

I do wonder if it was the alcohol that triggered the hypermania, or if being hypermanic made me want to drink. What are your experiences?

@Broken did you have a post partum depression?

I'm quite afraid of having to be hospitalized after giving birth.

I've previously stayed overnight at a psych hospital.

Sorry, meant to say hi @MamaDane 👋

@Carol I sometimes do. I think it can trigger hypomania or depression, depending on the person. Often people with bipolar have drinking problems.
If you feel like it does affect you I'd definitely stay away from it.

Hii 👋

I have a drinking problem, I've tried to cut down. I'll drink when I'm depressed, I'll drink if I'm hypomanic, I'll drink to help me sleep, the list goes on. Not healthy I know, but I want to lose weight, so will need to stop.

I had pretty bad pnd too. First night in hospital if someone had taken my DC, I wouldn't have cared. Horrible thinking about that now. I was t in any medication though, I just kept it to myself.

Problem with drinking is that it just accelerates what mood I'm in, but I never learn. Always think it's a good idea at the time.

No I don't have post partem depression. I was so sure i would as was my cpn after my 1st child died aged 15days. I have a good cpn who I see every 2 weeks at the moment. Take all the support you need. I think that's what saved me having to add post partum to my many diagnosis.

@Broken God, I'm sorry for your loss.

It's good you've managed to avoid it. And thanks I will do