How do you cope with being bipolar?

Question

I just got diagnosed as being bipolar and I'm having a real hard time with it. Right now I'm very down. I haven't told anybody in my family because they wont understand and will either think I'm crazy or think nothing is really wrong with me. I'm mexican so alot of it has to do with the culture.

I've only told one person, my best friend. I really didn't want to tell her because I didn't want to worry her or burden with this. I've been doing research and people with this disease are not the easiest people to deal with. She wants me to go off on FMLA but I don't know if I can afford to do it financially.

Work is stressful, I'm on call 24/7 so I really don't have a life. And I'm not speaking to my immediate family. I just feel really alone. It's making me think what the rest of my life is going to be like now that I know that I'm bipolar. I'm scared. I don't want to get locked up or put the people that i love through hell.

Answer 1

Bi-Polar is a genetic disorder. Someone in your family has it or had it. My mom and grandfather have it, and possibly me... (too young to really know yet.) I have found that writing in a diary helps and having family support is the best way to cope with it. Understanding it is difficult, but basically it's a chemical imbalance in the brain. It effects your emotional states and your common sense. So help from family is really a big factor and writing down your feelings helps you, because you won't feel like you are completely imposing on them. It's best you tell them so that they understand you better and they can help you with it. Take your medications as you are suppose to and find little hobbies that help relieve your stress. I write poetry, sing, cook, and draw. My mother goes to the gym, writes in her diary, and meditates. Good luck and I hope your family understands.

Answer 2

Living with bi-polar is a very tough thing to do. One step in the right direction is medication. What are you on? Depakote? Tegretol? Lithium? Abilify? Seraquill? These are the main medications currently available for bi-polar in the U.S. I am hoping in the next year or so other newer more stronger medications can be discovered for this illness. But medicine isn't always the soul answer, counseling is another helpmate if you allow it to help you. You need to find a support group in your area to talk with people that have this same disorder and or has family members that have this same disorder. Isolating yourself from your family members and friends is not the answer. Your depression will become worsened and your life will eventually become worthless and meaningless to you.

As for your job, I don't know what you are doing that you are on call 24/7 but you may have to talk to your boss about your situation and explain to him or her that added stress with your depression and bi-polar don't mix well. See if your boss would be more sympathetic to your needs and maybe cut back on your days a bit. Not all people are closed minded about mental illness as they once was years ago.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if your lifestyle doesn't change soon, you may just end up in the psychiatric ward in the hospital. Take the proper action I told you about. Contact your local Mental Health Program and see what they may suggest too. Good luck to you! Living with bi-polar is do-able you just got to want to try to improve your health.

Answer 3

Any Psychologist well worth their degree could understand the place to direct you on your city to get Psych meds lined by using your county. the college counselor would desire to understand too. there's a company called NAMI (nationwide Alliance for psychological ailment) Google them. they help recommend for human beings w/ psychological ailment, and that i'm particular they might enable you to with meds. i understand it sucks yet you will would desire to take them. I even have Bipolar too, and formerly my meds i grew to become right into a multitude..I abused cocaine and booze (understatement) and had mania and melancholy chasing me like a loopy monster. i do no longer understand the place you reside, yet i'm in California and all my meds are lined by using the State. I pay a small fee on the top of the year. i'm a undesirable student, however the fee is lots smaller than paying a doctor w/ no coverage. And in case you do get meds be careful of Depakote. It has weird and wonderful area outcomes which contain lots of weight earnings. all human beings i've got talked to approximately this says a similar element. I take Lithium and Lexapro. It stops the bipolar cycling yet I nevertheless sense like myself. heavily- look at the NAMI website, and robust success!

Answer 4

being bi-polar runs in the family usually... they probably wont think your crazy.
just go see a doc., he can prescribe you anti-depressants and or meds. for anxiety....i take both and now can deal with people...before, i felt like you...and i have a short temper...my job is VERY stressful, and it was really hard to keep a positive attitude, now, i can calm down long enough to make the right choices about how to handle situations...a simple doctor visit you don't even have to tell your family..whom ever diagnosed you should be able to help you i would think....and you won't get locked up.

and her answer 2 spaces down is a good way of putting it.

Answer 5

im bipolar and on meds they help i cant work cause i cant keep a job w/ the ups and down i go through so it must be tough to be on call i would say find a good shrink get on the right meds and take things day to day

Answer 6

One day at a time and with the help of a support group

Answer 7

Check out (http://www.reducingstress.net ) there is a lot of great content, information articles, expert advice and links on the subject there.

Answer 8

Bi-Polar I or II?

Therapy, and the correct medication cocktail will help. It's just making it through until the "cocktail" is worked out just right for you.

Answer 9

Good Medicine, will let you lead an almost normal life.

Answer 10

Good luck.
you might want to add me if you have msn messenger.I'm bipolar too..
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