For the person with Bi-polar.. Does it ever get better for you?

Question

What if anything has made a change for the better in your life? What would you suggest to others with Bi-polar, to live a happier life?

Answer 1

My brother has bipolar schizophrenia and he clicks out every spring and summer. He gets extremely happy when he has money to buy childish things like toys and this is a twenty-five year old man. Life as a bipolar patient is up and down, when he's up give them whatever they ask for but never let them take advantage of you. When they get angry, watch yourself anything can happen. Nothing truly makes them happy because it's a rollercoaster. In order to keep them happy, give them what makes them feel secure and happy to create a happier life.

Answer 2

Accepting that I had a mental disorder was the hardest thing for me...once I accepted it was when my life began to change for the better. For me to live a happier life, I had to give up the illusion of happiness. Learning to live in the moment and be grateful for what is at the time has helped me...it takes daily practice. Daily routines that I can follow whether depressed or manic have really helped. Not religious,but spiritual practices like meditation, walks, healthy food, and doing something for someone else every day have given me a focus. I have finally taken the suggestion of my health care professional and have eliminated (over a three year course) alcohol,nicotine, marijuana, other illegal drugs, and sugar. I feel better most of the time...and though eliminating these things hasn't eliminated my bi-polar, at least I know it's not a symptom of something else I'm dealing with.
One of the worst symptoms of my bi-polar is that I think I know everything...no I KNOW I know everything...and that has made progress SLOW, and trusting people impossible!!!My suggestion? Find someone you can trust...take steps toward trusting others. Listen to what they say (the ones you trust) try reasonable suggestions. When I realized I didn't know everything and I became teachable (a little) my life became a lot simpler.

Answer 3

I am someone that has bi-polar and has always found it hard to have friends that understood what I was going through, and also was hard to get a boyfriend that was strong enough to stick with me through it. But when I met my husband a few years ago I told him right off the bat that I have bi-polar and sometimes it gets bad, he completly understood even though he has never had any experience with it. So finding a life partner that is strong enough to help me through the tuff times has made my life soo much better. When I do have a bad episode he helps me through it and no one or nothing (being stuff we own) get hurt in the end. I would recommend finding someone special to be there through everything.

I am not taking any meds for it either. I was on them but in the end it just f***s some people up and with me it really did. But talking does help way better then popping pills. I am not saying don't take your meds but look for other treatments. (most meds for chemical embalances have too many bad side effects and I should know since I was on way too many)

Answer 4

Well for me - it has been to be sure and take my meds daily!!!! I have gone off of them numerous times only to end up in a bad place. I would say that to live a happier life can be different for each person - depends on if you have family or friend support - or at least someone to talk to who really understands. Also having a Doc who totally listens to you and is willing to work with you to find the right solutions!!! That has been the hardest part after seeing so many docs & hospitals!!!! And being misdiagnosed several times. One of the hardest parts about being Bipolar is accepting it - yourself - because it's difficult when you are either in a black hole trying to climb out or on the other spectrum where you are so freakin happy - you are ready to escape the world - run away and spends lots of dough that you don't have.

Answer 5

I have recently been diagnosed with bi-polar as well as obsessive/compulsive disorders. I have been under treatment for mental illnesses since 1992, when the grief of my father's dying finally caught up with me. (He passed away in 1986) I had a very good job working in a hospital, greeting and registering people for treatment. I was not able to continue working after being on a psych ward for 30 days. The experience from there was worse than my illnesses! I also suffer from incredible headaches, that never stop.

My neurologist is the one who gave me these labels. I call them labels because no matter what I do, people ask me if I am being obsessive or compulsive? Or they constantly ask me how I am feeling! This makes me crazier than any mental illness could!

I am still alive, human, and I still have feelings that I consider as normal. I get angry, happy, sad, out there , like anyone else. When are people going to stop labelling people with mental illnesses?

That is when it will get better. Being treated like a person, not a second class citizen of the human race. There are enough prejudices already being practiced by so many people. Why not let people alone, that let you alone. I don't tell you what to do or what to think, let me do what I have to and think what I want to.

I probably have these labels with more reason than alot of people, but I have my own thing to do. People who are close to me understand what is going on. Other people can either choose to understand, or not. Everyone has their own choices to make.

This is just another thing that if you don't understand it, and if it is not affecting someone close to you, then why be concerned???
Do you worry about the psycho who just killed an innocent person in another country????
No? Then why worry about me. I am just as close to you as the psycho in another country.

I am on quite a few medications, but they are not going to do all the work. You have to be willing to work with the medications as well as PROFESSIONALS OF THE MEDICAL FIELD!!!!!

Thanks for letting me get that off of my chest. I feel much better now!!!!!!

Answer 6

I am Bipolar and have been for over 20 years. Yes, it does get better, but it takes work and persistance. What has helped me is learning to like myself, a positive attitude and taking Juice Plus+ and TrueHope products. I am not trying to sell you these products but to tell you that they are available to you.

The most important things that I would suggest for those with Bipolar Disorder is to have a supportive doctor, a positive outlook on life, and a healthy diet.

The website www.bipolarhappens.com is the most interesting and informative site that I've come across. It is so refreshing to hear from someone that has the disorder and not just some doctor that has studied it. Just like having a doctor tell you how to raise your children that has not had any himself/herself.

Feel free to contact me for more information.

Answer 7

Yes and No. (sorry); it's hard to explain. In some ways I have more tranquility - i guess one might say; but, yet, i'm still nervous---just not as badly as before going on my med. i take zyprexa 2.5 mg. daily. but it has always caused me to NEED far too much sleep, ; altho it does not NOW - cause me to get sleepy Right after taking it. )(sometimes I think it does tho. O well; best wishes; right now I've been diagnosed with Nodule in one of my breast and i'm very worried. I worry about all my Loved Ones; I worry constantly! Pray for me, please - if you believe in Prayer. also, i may have Pulmonary Fibrosis (a fatal disease --it appears to be). Best Wishes to You.! 50 plus female in Ga. - USA. ( I think i've been worrying MORE recently due to fact that i've also been taking another prescription anti-depressant: Pamelor (generic --"nortriplite " or either "nortripline" ( i think it's spelled One or Other. I'm only taking 10 mg. in Pamelor( daily)i, several yrs ago took 25 mg. to 75 mg's of it DAILY . I take 2.5 mg. of Zyprexa Daily. O well ; hopefully i'll Stop smoking soon; and hope i live longer ?

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

Life will get better. This is why you need counseling. They can help you get your life to a better place.