I was just diagnosed bi- polar, what does this mean for my quality of life?!
Question: I was just diagnosed bi- polar, what does this mean for my quality of life!?
Answers:
If you have insight and make good decisions being bipolar is very manageable!. That said most bipolar's lack insight!.
What a lot of bipolar people do is when they feel well, they decide to go off their meds!. Lots are also not med-compliant!. And lots only journal when having problems instead of all the time so you can be more proactive preventatively!. And lots also only see a therapist when having problems!. Also when manic, bipolars tend not to perceive this as a problem!. They tend to overwork themselves when manic perpetuating the mania!. It is not a smart idea for a bipolar person to work overtime or shiftwork, or extended hours!. Many still try to drink alcohol which is a depressant and contraindicated by most meds!.
Some try to do to many things at once, like my sister in law!. She decided while planning her wedding,aged 30, and looking for employment, and looking for a new home that she was going to go cold turkey off her meds against medical advice so she can get pregnant!.
This is a person with severe bipolar, on meds since 12, serious suicide attempts, multiple inpatient stays, and lots of psychosis, lots of meds!. She very nearly didn't get married, but she did 3 yrs ago, still married, no kids!.
After marriage she again tried to go off some meds with the guidance of a perinatologist in the hopes of achieving pregnancy!. Even though this was a better choice, she wasn't able to switch her meds from depokote to lamictal (which lamictal is ok when pregnant) after only 2 weeks!. She always sets herself up for failure due to lack of insight!. I said why would you try to change meds during winter when you know you always get squirrely then!? Why don't you try in the springtime next time!? She said she didn't realize that was the worst time of year for her!. I guess her feelings were hurt because she hasn't talked to me about it for 2 yrs!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
What a lot of bipolar people do is when they feel well, they decide to go off their meds!. Lots are also not med-compliant!. And lots only journal when having problems instead of all the time so you can be more proactive preventatively!. And lots also only see a therapist when having problems!. Also when manic, bipolars tend not to perceive this as a problem!. They tend to overwork themselves when manic perpetuating the mania!. It is not a smart idea for a bipolar person to work overtime or shiftwork, or extended hours!. Many still try to drink alcohol which is a depressant and contraindicated by most meds!.
Some try to do to many things at once, like my sister in law!. She decided while planning her wedding,aged 30, and looking for employment, and looking for a new home that she was going to go cold turkey off her meds against medical advice so she can get pregnant!.
This is a person with severe bipolar, on meds since 12, serious suicide attempts, multiple inpatient stays, and lots of psychosis, lots of meds!. She very nearly didn't get married, but she did 3 yrs ago, still married, no kids!.
After marriage she again tried to go off some meds with the guidance of a perinatologist in the hopes of achieving pregnancy!. Even though this was a better choice, she wasn't able to switch her meds from depokote to lamictal (which lamictal is ok when pregnant) after only 2 weeks!. She always sets herself up for failure due to lack of insight!. I said why would you try to change meds during winter when you know you always get squirrely then!? Why don't you try in the springtime next time!? She said she didn't realize that was the worst time of year for her!. I guess her feelings were hurt because she hasn't talked to me about it for 2 yrs!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If you spend time with your psychiatrist to find the right meds that work w/o significant side effects, it means that you live a normal life and can do whatever you want just like anyone else!.
If you choose to be unmedicated, then your life with be a yoyo with mood states dominating you!. Repeatedly, you will make messes that you regret and leave friends and family to also deal with the consequences!.
Unfortunately like anyone else with a chronic illness, you need to assume responsibility for actively managing your health!. This includes meds, periodic appts with your psychiatrist, and therapy!. Therapy at first should be weekly for a couple years and then periodic as needed thereafter!. Stress is one of the biggest mood state triggers!. Learning how to be a stress zen master is key to maintaining stability on or off meds!. Medication greatly reduces the frequency and degree of episodes!. However, for many, it does not eliminate them entirely!. That is why therapy is important!. The better you can handle life, the less likely you will have any type of mood swing!.
Also, since some will say unmedicated is a viable path!.!.!. bipolar is progressive when untreated!. Unmedicated is viable short-term!. You just pay for it when you get older!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If you choose to be unmedicated, then your life with be a yoyo with mood states dominating you!. Repeatedly, you will make messes that you regret and leave friends and family to also deal with the consequences!.
Unfortunately like anyone else with a chronic illness, you need to assume responsibility for actively managing your health!. This includes meds, periodic appts with your psychiatrist, and therapy!. Therapy at first should be weekly for a couple years and then periodic as needed thereafter!. Stress is one of the biggest mood state triggers!. Learning how to be a stress zen master is key to maintaining stability on or off meds!. Medication greatly reduces the frequency and degree of episodes!. However, for many, it does not eliminate them entirely!. That is why therapy is important!. The better you can handle life, the less likely you will have any type of mood swing!.
Also, since some will say unmedicated is a viable path!.!.!. bipolar is progressive when untreated!. Unmedicated is viable short-term!. You just pay for it when you get older!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It means nothing for the quality of your life as long as you take care of yourself!. Keep seeing your Dr!. Stay on your meds(even when it feels like you dont need them anymore)!. Learn to cope with the episodes that do come up so they dont get out of hand!. See a therapist!.
I also have Bipolar!.!.!.!.!.diagnosed 8 years!. Know a good bipolar message board if you want more people to talk to bout it!. I know that helped me a lot early on!. Email me if you want that link or just want to talk!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I also have Bipolar!.!.!.!.!.diagnosed 8 years!. Know a good bipolar message board if you want more people to talk to bout it!. I know that helped me a lot early on!. Email me if you want that link or just want to talk!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
All conditions can be changed!. Though you may fluctuate between manic and depressed, you can still find the peace and wonder of life!. The key is always to learn to love!. It raises everyone including yourself!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
dont le ta label by someone tell you what you are!. bipolar is a just a medical term for someone who is sad!. i have the same thing but im f---ing depressed!!LOL your life is your life and try to live it the best you canWww@Answer-Health@Com
You can lead a normal life!.Www@Answer-Health@Com