I'm a having a bipolar low day and I just need some support...?!
Question: I'm having one of those 'poor me-I hate having bipolar days' and I just feel like crying when I think about how the illness affects me and my life...its a hard place to be and I'm feeling really alone. Does anyone else get that way sometimes?
Answers: I'm having one of those 'poor me-I hate having bipolar days' and I just feel like crying when I think about how the illness affects me and my life...its a hard place to be and I'm feeling really alone. Does anyone else get that way sometimes?
Hi Cat. I believe we have crossed paths on here before. I am a rather new member, who happened to stumble upon YA by pure chance, and my first answer(to some Christmas caroles for the mentally ill ) made me laugh so hard I got best answer,plus an invite from my first YA friend ( from Australia!) right off the bat. Hooked ever since.
Yes, I also have Bipolar1, the most extreme form, along with many other illnesses. I have found that just communicating with each other on here can make a world of difference.I can truly say that I absolutely understand, and I have sincere compassion for you, even if I don't know you. As I write this, I have not been able to sleep for three night now, and am feeling pretty low myself this morning. It's pouring rain outside with thunder & lightening, and chances of strong wind tunnels, which doesn't help either. (and I live in San Diego, California!) I thank God for finding this site, which is full of so many wonderful and helpul people from al over the world!l And a few @ssholes too!!!
It is a blesing that we have each other on here to communicate with,support each other, and UNDERSTAND. I firmly believe that only another bipolar can truly understand the profound feelings that we go through.It can feel like a very lonely existance at times out in this world, can't it? We endure a lot of stigma and misunderstanding. Try to remind yourself that this is a disease that involves a disfuncion in your brain.You cannot help this,no medication or therapy in the world can cure this, and you cannot just "snap out of it" or "change the way you think", as people have most likely told you. Sometimes when I am at my lowest, I have actually said "F*ck You, brain, I'm stronger than You!!" We bipolars are more courageous than others would ever know. The routine tasks of life can feel overwhelming to us, but we do them, just the same. You stay strong. Don't let that pesky brain get the best of you! I do care~contact me whenever you feel the need. Hugs
i have days were i feel kinda low and that everybody is out 2 get me
i dont have bi-polar but im sure that you will be ok after this day just think that its not just you who feels like this sometimes.
=]
for sure. im not bipolar, but i do suffer from depression and i do have those days, as im sure everyone does. personally, im really impressed by this call for support. im glad youre not raging on something or someone and trying to justify it with your illness. i think you deserve a hug and a pat on the back. i send you a cyber hug. i hope your days lightens up a bit.
Im sorry you feel bad. Ive had days where I couldn't get out of bed myself. Take a bath, get dressed and go out and do anything. Even if you just walk around the block. (easier for me to say, I know). Try to keep your mind busy on something else by moving your body. You're going to be ok.
Visit: www.johnswatsellministries.org
There are some things on there that may make you feel better.
God Bless,
Reverend Swatsell
I do and I can't say that I found the ultimate remedy just yet.
What helps sometimes is to go out for a long walk and not focus on anything in particular...
If you're in need of a shoulder to cry on, feel free to contact, sometimes it helps to have a complete stranger to talk about how you feel...
hope you'll feel better soon...:)
Low days stink. I am bipolar as well. The worst for me is the high times. The extreme euphoria all the while I know when it is over I will be stuck in a funk for weeks. The best balance I have found is on the high times I use clonopin to reduce the anxiety or high. Thus when the high time is over I don't bounce to the extreme low. On the the other end when i get that sinking feeling and all the constant worry kicks in and my mind keeps putting me down I will take cymbalta. It works rather quickly. The best balance I have found is no medicine and a great deal of exercises. Watch your diet. Stay away from sugar and most carbs. I am not diabetic but once I started controlling the things I eat I have a much better mental balance. Hang in there. you are better than what you can give yourself credit for.
hey cat i dont hear from you much anymore but i send you all my love and best wishes and hugs all the way over there to oz, your in my thoughts, - youve given me some great advice over the months, be strong, kind regards x
i have bi-polar and i feel your pain..its okay to have low days but that you are reaching out is even better..ive been suffering from this for over 10 years and things got bad but i learned my signs and syptoms and i know what triggers them..it wasnt easy but when i start to feel like things are getting bad i reflect on what could have triggered me and then i find ways to avoid those situations..it does get better.i am now holding down a job and im enjoying it..so chin up and you can always start your day over again at nay given moment
Just keep hanging in there! My son is Bipolar and we have been through alot with him, the ups and downs, the episodes, and all. Just know that there are alot of people suffering with this disease and you are not alone. People do overcome and manage this disease and you can do it too. It takes alot out of you, but it makes you a stronger person that is for sure. I will certainly keep you in my prayers and pray for the relief to come for you soon. Keep in touch with friends and family members it will help you through the tough times, and I know that there are many in dealing with Bipolar disorder. God Bless You.
Hi Cat, I see your answers a lot here, and you've even given me a few. I'm sorry you're having a low day, and for sure a lot of us have the same thing. Some of the regular faces here have become like a nice group of folks I see every day, and you're one of them. As I struggle to reach a correct diagnosis and meds, I certainly understand the frustration and what it is to just have "those days". Keep stong.
I'm sending you my best wishes to get through this day (night), and know that better ones always come around :)
Try the chatsites/forums in sections 10, 2, in ezy build, below, or www.careplace.com DEPRESSION: My standard post follows, but, if you are young, antidepressants are unsuitable for young people. See depression treatments, at ezy build, below, in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and Nathanial S. Lehrmann, MD, Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, at www.mercola.com and many others: avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments" of the multidimensional approach to treating depression, including occupational therapy, relaxation techniques, and exercise, with others as options, such as the supplements: Inositol, or SAMe, or herbal remedies, like St. John's wort. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even weeks to begin becoming effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels, using the 25 Hydroxyvitamin D test. Optimal levels are 50 - 55 ng/ml (115 - 125 nmol/l. It should be above 32 ng/ml. Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BIPOLAR DISORDER. My standard post follows: See bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, in section 10, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don't diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise. Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I'd take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve. If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren't good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else may suit you better. Check out "lithium" at http://www.drugs.com/, and http://crazymeds.us/ and always research medications first, (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. (Personally, if I wasn't bipolar type 1, and didn't experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I'd first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, such as St. John's wort, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. I'd aso eat in accordance with my "nutritional type". Enter that term in the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ ). If not considerably improved, after several months, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this progressive illness from getting even worse. If bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ . Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states). Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at: http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies. As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well , without resorting to medications. Don't use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe. Some topics from section 10: BIPOLAR DISORDER TREATMENT: SUPPLEMENTS~~~
HERBS FOR BIPOLAR: TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH HERBS~~~
VITAMINS FOR BIPOLAR: TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH VITAMINS~~~
MINERALS FOR BIPOLAR: TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH MINERALS. NSW man, in Adelaide.
Hi there,
I know what you're feeling because I'm with you right now. In fact, I came on here looking for "I'm so f**ing depressed!" questions. Becuase it just makes me feel like I'm not alone. It does suck having this. Aside from the physical and emotional drain, it takes over my very essence, my being. I see myself in the mirror when I'm in the bathroom and I see a totally differnet person in my face- especially in my eyes. It's like a look of dismal unhappyness- of just sort of, negativity. All the light that's usually there is gone. Now I understand why people say that smiling makes you look pretty - cause I sure as sh** aint pretty now.
Just reading your question and hearing you admit, say out loud, where you are- and it made me feel better.
I know this will pass. Is this a February thing? Is it a post-valentines day thing? Is it a seasonal deppresion thing? (SAD)? I'm in it low. I feel like no one really cares. You know, REALLY CARES.
Someone who will envelope me in their big arms and tell me it's all going to be OK. They promise.