Are you Bi-Polar?

Question

I have just been diagnosed as a manic depressive. Is anybody else suffering from this? and how do you cope with it?

Answer 1

I am Bipolar 1 and have been for 10+ years. It is hard. I have done some crazy things when I was manic and have been in the depths of despair when I was depressed.

I take 7 medications everyday to keep my moods stable. When I go off them, I wind up arrested or in the hospital.

To cope:

1) Take your medications as prescribed, even if you don't feel like it.

2) Stay healthly. Eat well, get enough sleep, and try to exercise everyday.

3) Have a decent support system. Your therapist, pyschiatrist, friends, family, etc.

4) Keep records of your moods. Learn what affects you and what might trigger an episode.

5) Read as much as you can about your disease. The more you learn, the more you can help yourself.

I was 19 when I was diagnosed. I was standing on a bridge telling everyone that I had the key to the world. Now, years later, I am still learning new things. But don't let it get you down! You will be ok!

Answer 2

I have bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed ten years ago and was hospitalized for a month. I tried several "cocktails" of medication. About a month ago i finally found something that works. I don't blame the doctor though because the meds are quite new and the dosages needed to be adjusted. I cope by going to a psychotherapist as well as a psychiatrist. Also my family is very supportive of me. I have a close relationship with my sister and my parents.

You could make it through. Just keep taking your medication and go to your regular appointments. Also try to find a hobby to keep your mind active.

Good luck and G-d bless !!

Answer 3

Be careful. There are a lot of false predictions from doctors, if you haven't "coped" with it before then it is unlikely that you have bi-polar. Its another term for manic.

BTW: My father has manic depression he took the pills the doctor gave out and he got worse. The first time he tried killing me, my mum and his mum reasoning he didn't want us to suffer when he killed himself. At this point he stopped taking the medication-by no means he was normal again but he was better.

About 4 years later he was given anti depressant again, he got worse so they gave him more this happened until I was 12. Ever since I have suffered from trauma from the abuse that I suffered. Again he stopped the anti depressants, but he is a wreck. He is and has been a long term canabis user.

But it isn't just him. There have been many incidents. On the news a teenager was given anti depressants because she felt a bit down she turned suicidal and harmed herself and her family.

I've been told countless times that I need anti depressants and I refuse to take them. I've seen what they can do.

Be careful. If you aren't sure avoid it till you are. get another opinion. And make yourself choose. If you don't believe you need anti depressants stay the hell away from them. They cause too much pain and suffering for everyone around you

Answer 4

Diagnosed in 1999. I have maintained my job and school while working with my doctors to find the right med combo, which i did three years ago. Now I still have ups and downs but i mostly maintain a healthy level of normalcy (whatever that is). I own a yahoo group for bipolars to talk, get support or share their artwork or writing. Welcome to the club. We are small but scrappy.

Answer 5

I'm bi-polar... I'm just working with different meds trying to get a good combination down. It's hard... medication management takes a lot of time.

I'm pretty functional nowadays, but I have been hospitalized twice for a total of 4 months.

I go to college which keeps me busy.......

Good luck to you!

Answer 6

you can find lots of information and support groups on the internet.

everyone copes in different ways -- depending on your situation, your therapist will likely give you guidance and advice on the best approaches for you.

you will have to work on change, it doesn't happen overnight.

just because you have bipolar disorder, doesn't mean you have the same symptoms as everyone else...

i hope things go well! bipolar disorder is manageable (i have it too).

Answer 7

Bi-polar is just another way to describe someone who has alot of mood swings, tends to never be happy and often takes little responsibility for their own situation.
Doctors today have found some way to label just about everything so they can prescribe something for it. The medications for these behavioral symptoms are often mind altering and cause more harm than good.
Go to the doctor if you have the flu, if you need your butt kicked to get back on track, go to a nursing home and talk to some people there about how you feel. They have been there and done it....never needed a doctor to dope them up, they just overcame.
Good luck!
D@N

Answer 8

I was just diagnosed a few months ago, and meds are working great for me, except I still have trouble sleeping.

Answer 9

No, I am not, but I know someone who is and it's a very tough disorder to have. It's good that you got diagnosis and hopefully treatment. Just take it one day at a time. Good luck.

Answer 10

HAND UP!! I am, I`m just barely hanging in right now. I`m off my meds and severly manic. MADE SOME MAJOR MISTAKES THIS WEEK!!!!!!