What’s your opinions on bipolar ?

[Ladieunlucky]

I’m intrigued to what everyone thinks about bi polar and those that have it? Recently diagnosed and looking for some help x

That it's a difficult illness but can be managed with the right treatment. What kind of help are you looking for?

Is your sentencing date coming up soon @Ladieunlucky ?

@Curtainsformeplease yes next Friday ! Xxx

That it is a mental health condition.
That the patient will benefit from prompt diagnosis so that they can receive appropriate treatment.
That many successful and happy people live with a bipolar diagnosis (eg Stephen Fry, who has just been on the radio).

Which type of bipolar, 1 or 2?

I'm bipolar. I was lucky enough to be placed in a a clinical trial and got 6-12 months of intensive psychotherapy. I won't lie, it was life changing. It transformed my life. I learned so much and raised that a huge amount of my illness is trauma induced and by learning how to manage me emotions I could better manage my mood regulation. I also likely have adhd. I was able to come off medication and haven't had antipsychotics in over a decade thank God. I embrace my creative side and try to do nice things for others and most importantly be nice to myself. I still have ups and downs but they are managed with extra clean sleep routines, occasional mild mood stabilisers , sleeping pills and diazepam. I've got a set prescription "allowance" for 2-3 weeks supply of each a year from my Gp without having to go through psychiatry and I haven't seen a mental Heath specialist in 5 years or so as I'm just ticking along now.

Also, I attribute my recent stability to the exploration of psilocybin. It's been amazing for me, both micro dosing and taking a moderate trip. The moderate trip was hallucinogenic but not crazy and I had a really huge breakthrough where the sun told me to forgive myself 😁. Sounds bonkers but it was beautiful and I cried my eyes out and I've never felt lighter in my entire adult life.

I think that it can destroy lives and many people are scared of it. However if you learn to listen to your body and take your meds, look after yourself and get enough sleep you can live a very happy life.

I've been diagnosed (bipolar 1) for 30 years and it is always with me but doesn't dictate who or what I am.

I got an official diagnosis in 2022 after a particularly bad reaction to SSRIs post partum.i nearly blew up my entire life in a few months. I'm still getting my head around my diagnosis but the mood stabilisers have really helped, I've been on and off antidepressants and SSRIs since I was 19 and all have made me worse. The last year I feel I finally have a 'normal' life although my brain isn't as sharp with the meds, and i'm more tired generally. I also have ADHD so been trying to work and separate the two. Having the correct diagnosis has helped me regain confidence and look after myself better, as a result I'm a better, more present parent.