Bi-Polar

[Shanan79]

I have been diagnosed with Bi polar. I was wondering what others experience of this condition is. Whether you have been diagnosed or have experience with this condition, I would like to discuss it with you? 

[Ru-bee]

Hi @Shanan79 

I don't have any lived experience of bi-polar myself, but I just wanted to pop by and say welcome to the forums. 

I'm sure other members will be by to connect shortly and will be able to talk about their own experiences with bi-polar

[Shanan79]

Thanks for the Welcome. It’s my first time using this kind of support.

[Captain24]

Hi @Shanan79 

I have bipolar II. I was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago.

Ask anything you want to know. 

[Shanan79]

How long between episodes of mania?. Also how much depression have you experienced?

[Captain24]

I very rarely go manic and when I do it’s only hypo and just last for 2-4days. I spend most of my time in a depression of varying levels. @Shanan79. The last hypo I had was about September. I talked a lot and talked rapidly and was full of energy. I have had some stable periods since but mostly mild to severe depression. 

[Shanan79]

I’ve experienced a so called ‘mania’, 2 times in the last 3 years. I have felt depression in my life previous to this.
I’m 45 and was wondering what age others were that have been diagnosed with bi polar.

[Captain24]

I was diagnosed at 45 as well. I’m now 47. @Shanan79. I went to a GP with suicidal thoughts and she passed me over to community Mental Health. They got digging into my past and diagnosed bipolar after a serious manic period that landed me into that suicidal depression. I’ve have spent from the age of 16 in and out of depression with the odd mania. (Hindsight is a great thing) I have been on countless different medications. I think finally they may be close to being the right ones. 

I’ve had a recent trigger which has had me spiral into a dark place but with that trigger that’s what has caused it. 

Before then I was mostly mild depression with the odd days of complete darkness. 

There is a lot of work I have to do and I have great supports in place to help guide me on the right path. Having an amazing psychologist is helping me immensely. I only found her in August after May last admission. The work since then has been amazing. 

You need to be able to find the right people that understand bipolar and can help you understand what it means for you.

[Shanan79]

Thanks for the insight so far. I guess I should learn more about triggers, sounds like it could be important to understand what and how they work. I believe I’m on the correct medication, just dealing with side effects. I’m finding that I’m feeling levels of fatigue and tiredness in the day. I’m wondering if this is related to bi polar or just side effects.

[Captain24]

Yes.. lots of learning! It is helpful, especially seeing your triggers in writing. @Shanan79. One major thing though.. to go into a bipolar depression you don’t necessarily need to have a trigger. It can just come in at anytime. It’s about the skills you learn to try and cope, like self care activities. 

That sounds like medication side effects. There is a lot of side effects that can happen from psych medication. Keep an eye on everything.