I'm caught in the bipolar cycle.?!
Question: Is anyone else out there caught in the spot of being bipolar and having the disorder itself make it very difficult to get help for it? I have been diagnosed bipolar by two separate psychiatrists in the past. I have trouble getting help because I have no money for a doctor and also most people I talk to about it think i can just use will power to get through my ups and downs. And the government system to get help requires many hoops to be jumped through If i was able to go through that process easily I would not have bipolar and there for would not need the help. It is very frustrating to me. I feel I would only need a minimal of medication and counseling help to get my feet on the ground then i could have the frame of mind to handle this much better with my own money and support system. Is this a common sentiment and any ideas on what I should do?
Answers: Is anyone else out there caught in the spot of being bipolar and having the disorder itself make it very difficult to get help for it? I have been diagnosed bipolar by two separate psychiatrists in the past. I have trouble getting help because I have no money for a doctor and also most people I talk to about it think i can just use will power to get through my ups and downs. And the government system to get help requires many hoops to be jumped through If i was able to go through that process easily I would not have bipolar and there for would not need the help. It is very frustrating to me. I feel I would only need a minimal of medication and counseling help to get my feet on the ground then i could have the frame of mind to handle this much better with my own money and support system. Is this a common sentiment and any ideas on what I should do?
Yes! It is very tough! and I have been in that place were I felt like I just needed a little help, a little step up, to help me to deal with it. I hated the medication! I felt like a zombie! I felt like I was trapped in my body (which I guess I am :)! Every three summers I go on a BIG up or down spike. this is a third summer for me and I am determined not to let it completely f$&! up my life. It is frustrating because I feel like I was just starting to get it together after my last big blow out three years ago. What really helps me to deal on a day to day bases is: lots and lots and lots of excercise (I like long walks and yoga and I'm considering taking up jogging because I'm having a harder time than usual lately), diet (I try to avoid, sugars even from too much fruit, cut way back on carbohydrates, no caffine including chocolate, no wheat or glutan), I take a very strong Vitamin B supplament, also Omega 3, calcium and magnisium and I've heard that St. John's Wort, Gingko Bilboa, 5-HTP can all be really helpful (they found that a lot of Bi-polar people have a vitamin defeciancy. Chamomile and lemon balm tea are really helpful too. I drink them before bed and whenever I feel like I'm about to just FREAK OUT! Try googling homeopathic or holistic remedies for bi-polar or manic depression. Their is a lot of really good information out there that may help you. All the best!
i also suffer with bipolar disorder and have now since i was 17 yrs old when i was first diagnosed and i'm now approaching 30. i work full-time and function pretty good at home etc.. but i try and not think about it. i take prozac 20mg daily for my depression. i know exactly how you feel. it's not easy living with bipolar disorder and i tell ya, prozac has helped me out tremendously.