How to cope with the chronic disease bipolar?

Question

How would YOU deal with knowing that you will inevitably become painfully depressed and wacked out manic periodically for no damnn reason the rest of your life?

Medication only extends the periods between episodes and *maybe* makes them milder. Very few end up with no symptoms for life.



FYI: I am med compliant and have no intention of ever not being. Please DO NOT tell me that you are impressed. It's insulting. I wouldn't tell someone with diabetes, gee it's wonderful you take your insulin.

Answer 1

Betty,

I have to say that coping with Bipolar is not easy. I fell ill to this disease back in 2002 and it totally changed my life. I had a good job, my life was going great and then out of the blue I had a nervous breakdown and got the awful diagnosis.

The hardest thing for me has been the coping skills. You become a totally different person.

The advice I can give you is to make sure you have a good support group in place. It is important for people you are close to to understand what you are going through or they could make you feel worse.

Second. Accept the disease, know you have it and alter your thinking. You can't change it so don't dwell on it, just find ways to adjust your lifestyle to fit it.

Third, don't be to hard on yourself. This is not something you asked for nor wanted, For some reason, you got it.

Fourth, educate yourself on it. There are a lot of good websites and books that can help you learn good coping skills.

Fifth, find a good counselor to talk to as you go through the changes. You will probably need one to talk about the different phases you go through. I can also tell you that it took them about 2 years to get my meds right. Sometimes they have to be changed and I think that it will be a never ending process

It has totally changed my life. If you ever need to talk, drop me a line.

Answer 2

Because I don't have insurance yet, it costs me about $1,000 a month to keep my condition under control (meds, dr visits). I'm not going to lie and tell you that it's easy because it's not. I can tell you that after some rough patches of "experimenting" with meds and doses, I'm relatively stable now. You need to have a good support group -- friends, family, therapist, etc. People who aren't Bi-Polar don't really understand the condition and they don't understand how we're different. With all that being said, let me say that I do lead a relatively normal, happy life. It takes a lot of effort and determination, but it can be done. You have to learn to look at the positives or you will spiral downward. Be aware of the things that you're grateful for and why. Also, know that "normal" people will never feel the highs of a manic period. Everyone has something to deal with. Some people have physical problems. We have this. You go through a process which is much like grieving -- anger, denial.....then, finally you move to acceptance. We are how we are. Maybe one day the stigma will be gone. Until then, take advantage of your stable times to make contingency plans for when you're not well. Take control of your life. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help when you feel you need it. You're going to be OK!!

Answer 3

i am one of the ones whose med compliant for a while, then i think Eureka! I'm Cured! then after a couple months fall back into that hole... i dont know how my husband even stands me sometimes. i keep telling him i really want to quit my job bc its sales/customer service, very high pressure, and i dont have skills in anything else. i cry every day on my way to work and often cry or come close to it when customers yell at me. i can definitely see the difference when i take my medicine, but then i get this fantasy i dont need it . im sure most of us have been thru that. but im so tirreedd of shelling out $30/wk for therapy, $30/mo for psychiatrist, $85/3mos for meds. and i hate sitting here and taking 8 different pills and wondering what the hell is wrong with me and why isnt there a cure. and you cant even tell anyone bc all they do is make fun of you .

Answer 4

I have read recently that diet can play a very strong role in controlling bipolar disorder. I would talk with a naturopathic nutritionist about it, or perhaps an ayurvedic physician. It's not just "eat healthy," it's very personalized. Also, regular exercise and regular sleeping/waking times.

I know it sounds miserably regimented. But on the other hand, the mood swings are terrible. It must be so difficult to face, knowing it will happen again. I have had episodes of depression, and I know how debilitating they can be.

Answer 5

Bi Polar illness is a disease. It is not curable, however it is treatable. As long as you are med compliant, avoid alcohol and illegal drugs, and seek psychotherapy, you may be able to leave a healthy life.

Good luck and take care of you!
Dee

Answer 6

GO GET HELP