| BYE POLAR
Posted: 4/25/2008 7:55:03 AM | For those that may be bipolar there is help. Whether you are bipolar or have other mental health issues don't be afraid to get help. Believe it or not you can learn how to control this illness. A person can live a completely "normal" life. The question is "what is normal"? Normal may be different to you than someone else.
I am well and have the illness. I have no problems living my life as I wish. I am not going to say I have always been well because there was a time I wasn't. I gave myself the gift of help.It took many years of hard work to become the best me I can be and so can you. There are many with high blood presure that will be taking medication for the rest of their life. Does that mean they are not dateable???? NO!!! Give all a chance to get to know a person before they are judged.
I am here from many years of experience to offer a support group. Anyone that would wish to join get a hold of me. There will be no professionals at this support group. You may get to know others with this illness and make some new friends. If you feel as comfortable as I and wish to respond to this thread more power to you, to others whom want to keep this private feel free to contact me through POF email.
I look forward to getting to know you. Say "BYE To BIPOLAR" or at least learn how to control this illness. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 4/25/2008 8:20:03 AM | I would be happy to help as support with what I have experienced and know. Though, I'm leary about a "support group" - - not sure how to explain what I mean. But, basically - I felt like a pathetic "victim" for a long time, because I didn't know what was wrong with me. But since I have figured it out, and have the best doctor ever (NOT a shrink - a real doctor), and I was prescribed the right medication . . . almost overnight . . actually, almost simultaneous with his diagnosis - I no longer felt that pathetic "victim" feeling anymore. I almost immediately felt like I had control of my life again. I mean, I still had the stablizing to do - but, just knowing what was up with me and that I was on my way to controlling it and getting back to my old self - that was when the tide changed for me.
So - I would be happy to help others, and of course I am not opposed to learning as well. But, I don't feel like a victim of mental illness, and I don't want to. Do you know what I mean by that? I guess - I'm me, and I happen to have bipolar. Bipolar does not have me. Anymore. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 4/25/2008 8:57:09 AM | | I am so glad you responded. I know exactly what you mean. I also have a great Dr and very proud of who I am . I don't believe we are victims at all. I want others to understand that too. I know I am well but seem to run into so many that are not. They are upside down and know if there was support for them they will be as lucky as the two of us. I so much appreciate your help to help others!!!! | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 4/25/2008 9:53:07 AM | Are you Type I or Type II? I'm Type II - and I think that makes a difference, somewhat. Because, it's kind of like . . . developing Type B Diabetes or having 20/20 vision and then watching your vision fade because you're on the computer all of the time. For me - I used to be very organized - a perfectionist actually. And then one day (when I look back, I can pinpoint the stressor), I just got so overwhelmed I broke down . . shut down. And that's when it took over. Over the course of 5 years, I gained weight, started breaking out, abused alcohol, self-medicated with Tylenol PM, totally isolated myself, stopped calling family and friends, lacked all focus at work . . etc. I didn't know what the f' was wrong with me - but I knew something was wrong. I kept trying to "fix" myself - and nothing worked. Actually, I couldn't stick to any plan and make it work.
After attempting the shrink route, and getting vague answers about depression, anxiety, OCD . . and prescribed medication that did little to nothing for me - maybe even making it worse . . it was my dermatologist who said I had severe anxiety and was outing myself by gouging the f' out of my skin whenever I had the slightest bug bite or blemish. (Seriously - it would take months for stuff to heal because I couldn't stop picking at it). Anyway - my dermatologist referred me to my doctor, a D.O., and I explained the whole course of who I was and who I had become. Just the facts. No explanation of my emotional state really. It was a kick in the gut when he said, "You're bipolar." But, it was also a relief, because I knew he was right and he was finally going to help me get back to myself.
The key thing he said to me was, "Some people have a gene for it, and it does not manifest itself until a major stressor occurs, but once it does take over, you cannot think your way out of it." That made complete sense to me - because that is exactly what I had been trying to do for 5 years. Oh - he also mentioned that bipolar usually goes undiagnosed for 10 years. And, many medications prescribed for the incorrect diagnoses of depression and anxiety don't help at all, or make it worse. Because first you have to be stable. I take one medication now - and I know the difference between what helps and what doesn't. Because, this is the only thing that has worked. And it works. I can tell, and my family and friends can tell.
I think what actually bothers me more than people who are afraid of associating with bipolar people are the people that think it's just a way for doctors to prescribe medication. The downward spiral I experienced is indescribable, but very real. I know it was not just circumstantial, situational, relational, or societal. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 4/25/2008 11:04:44 AM | I am also type I. I had been placed on many different medications that also didn't work. Both the spiral down and the manic phase were horrible. I am finally very stable, have been for about three years. My biggest fear in life is that I may crash but have not in three years. I have learned to take one day at a time and put out one fire at a time. It has truly worked for me. My children went through some very difficult times with me but stood by my side and have seen a huge difference in me. I try very hard not to get stressed and know everything works out and I can always get through the tough times. I believe life today is very stressful and find many others are on medication just to be able to get through the daily stresses. Whatever works for them is fine with me.
I was in an abusive marriage many years ago and was told that is what brought it out. I knew as a child there was something off about me but never understood it. I know it is hereditary because both my mother and father are bipolar. I believe the best cure is medication and the understanding of the illness. I am also in therapy and have been for fourteen years. It is something that has worked well for me.I find it very sad to see others that are afraid to date a person that is bipolar. There are many other problems in life that would scare me more than being bipolar. I beleive these people are afraid of what they think is the unknown. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 4/25/2008 11:22:13 AM | | I'd like to say I respect and admire what you've accomplished. It does my heart well to hear of successes. Three years is a pretty good amount of time, enough to say you're doing something right. Congraulations and keep up the good work. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 6/5/2008 3:26:49 PM | | I did not know anything about bye polar until i met my daughters mother.The only thing i can say about that is they should not do meth she was doing it and not taking her meds and it was very scary how she acted very violent at times but it does not scare me one bit.I think showing a lot of love is the cure for every thing. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 6/8/2008 4:18:42 PM | i dont know about bye poler but i do know that a month ago i was extremely depressed and knew that was just not me ...im an optimist and outgoing and became a recluse prefereing to be by myself and drink alcohol which made it worse .
finally i went and saw my docter cause i knew that was just not me ....was also having panic attacks .
its hard to explain but he prescibed some meds and the panic attacks and depression have gone away , i still have the problems and worries like everybody but they dont kill me anymore.
hard for a man to admit !
brad | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 6/8/2008 11:40:40 PM | Hello All!
well....The best introduction I can make is ...."From one BP to another".
No one knows us better than another with the same issues we may struggle with in one way, shape or form. I'd just like to add some about my story, dx, and ....please, if someone is reading this, and you see any similiarity, or an "Ah-ha" moment - send an email or reply to this text. There is nothing in this world more theraputic than being validated and understood by another with the same life experiences. I'm adopted, so Yes, it is true that there is a genetic link, or a genetic pre-disposition to BP. I also, after the birth of my second child, suffered Severe, Chronic Post-Partum. My dx is BP NOS, which stands for not otherwise specified....(so it makes me feel like I'm in a class all by myself). I so miss the web site Bipolar-World, I have no idea how it defunked, but they had a chat room there and all. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 6/15/2008 11:21:02 PM | Clever title.
I love how people carried on calling it 'bye' polar, though. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 6/16/2008 12:28:33 AM | Some sad facts about bipolar II;
a. it worsens with age
b. mood changes are triggered by any change in regular patterns of life events
c. medications are frequently changed and there is no cure per se
d. it leads to financial instability, relationship instability and a series of jobs
I think this is a good thread, because frankly bipolar II is a ****. Any support is appreciated. | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 6/17/2008 3:22:36 PM | Such positive comments about my illness ^^^^^^^^ I'm going to shoot myself now thank you very,very much, NOT!!! Having learned more about just how cracked I really am has opened my eyes to alot of past stuff it does really suck with age but I've discovered the near perfect mixture of medications and when used on a regular basis I'm almost normal, ALMOST.  | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 8/7/2008 5:24:17 PM | I encourage you all to check out the web site: ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION...very eye opening, especially for anyone who's been diagnosed with any kind of "MENTAL DISORDER!" I wish you all the best!!! | |
|
| BYE POLAR
Posted: 8/13/2008 7:20:34 PM | University of Calgary (Canada) did a preliminary study with 10 people suffering from bipolar disorder - and achieved the same quick and dramatic improvement.
read the natural remedies:
http://www.truehealth.org/break02.html | |
|
Home
login 
