I am sorry it took 22 years for a good diagnosis and treatment. It seems someone, in addition to yourself, should have diagnosed the bi polar earlier. Our daughter has suffered for 15 years and is probably a multiple diagnosis situation. However, your story encourages me to keep up the hope.
See more posts like this on Tumblr
#hope #bipolar disorder #submission #supportI have been battling bipolar disorder for many years, but thankfully have been blessed with a wonderful support system. Without the incredible amount of social support that I have received, I honestly do not believe I would be able to function as well as I do today. This wasn’t always the case. I know I can be a lot to handle, especially when my moods are out of control. I’ve had people tell me
Chris was a boyfriend of mine who died by suicide many years ago. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder but he didn’t seek help. Suicide is much worse than coping. Surviving isn’t all there is to do, there are many avenues of support. Never forget family and friends, don’t give up because someone else did! You can not change what has happened to you but you can change how you view yourself. Figure out what you enjoy and don’t lose focus on that. If you lost joy, reach out! The worst thing you can do is lose hope.
Personally, I have struggled from the very things he was trying to escape. The strangest part was when I discovered that, but it was also the most powerful and vital aspect to my own recovery. Just because you have or don’t have isn’t reason to give up! If you’re feeling down and out you MUST find a way to deal with it. There isn’t any purpose in giving up but there is a reason to find purpose. The resources for help aren’t always what we want to pursue. If you struggle, you’ll do best to explore every avenue available. It’s better to try now than regret later.
For the past 8 years I’ve been struggling with an alarming diagnosis of bipolar disorder. At times I have felt on top of the world, while at other times I have felt so low I don’t want to face the day. Right now I’m going through a low period. But I know with support and faith I can make it through. Depression is hard and darkness is real, but it’s through the darkness I see the light. I have hopes that life is worth living regardless of its circumstances. You are not alone.
While I was living in New York I was fortunate to get in touch with NAMI.
When I first went to their office I didn´t know what to expect. My life with a Bipolar Disorder type I was a bit chaotic, with frequent episodes and without tools to manage the illness; I was looking for help.
My name is Gthreesongs why because I don’t really like sharing my name because of things that happened in the past. I probably suffer from bipolar disorder or depression and anxiety and maybe Schizophrenia but there is hope for people that suffer from it just have good friends and love life and your family or if something is happening where you don’t like your family chose your friends.
I was diagnosed 7 years ago with bipolar disorder. I grew up in what most would say a normal family; only most didn’t know my mom had bipolar disorder and was not on meds most of our childhood. Watching her in and out of the hospital and not able to be the mother I needed and wanted made be realize that if I ever was diagnosed I would take control of it because I didn’t want my kids to see me like my mom. You can break the cycle and teach your children that mental illness is ok with the gift of medicine. For a year I did lots of learning about myself and my triggers and how to recognize when I’m not doing well before anything happened. I’m very in tune with my body and mental health. I’m able to tell when my Med levels are low and I call immediately my dr. I was only hospitalized at the beginning and haven’t been since because I’m a firm believer this is no different then high bp or diabetes. I surround myself with people who can also help me notice when I’m not doing great and I listen to them. Also I believe God will use anything that is meant to tear us apart and down to glorify Him and show others when we trust and hand over everything to Him we will preserver and be stronger. My children have watched me take control of my illness and be okay talking about it. I am not ashamed I’m proud that I can show them you can live a happy fulfilled life with a mental illness and can accomplish any goals I set. Change starts with one person standing up and taking control and showing others to not be afraid. I pray this helps someone.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder when I was near the age of four. At that time, I was one of the few children with such a severe case. My psychiatrist for almost a year went back and fourth diagnosing me from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I was destined to be bipolar, my moms side of her family has mental problems. I was unfortunately the only sister who ended up with this mental illness. But what really pushed it over the already mentally breaking point? When I lived with my parents from up until I was shy of 4, was the abuse and neglect. My mom would drink and abuse. Get mad over nothing and abuse. I guarantee you, we had no such thing as food. And if there was any, it was beyond expired. I remember running to my neighbors houses, just to get away. Now, I was young when I left to live with my grandparents, but I just can’t forgive or forget things. My mom came home from a bar, married to another guy while married to my dad. So my mom left, my dad decided to truck drive, and my grandparents raised my sisters and I. Yes, to this day, we live with my grandparents. I honestly, have never met such a strong woman like my grandma. My grandma is my mom. My grandma was the one who sat there while I abused her, yelled at her, spit at her… She never gave up. She was the one who sat through psychiatrist appointments and made me talk, helped me get medication, helped me slowly get better. I used to bang my head on walls and floors. Why? I didn’t feel pain. But, I didn’t want to live. I was almost hospitalized twice, have taken and experimented with tons of medication to get me better, suffered through liver damage, plus the countless blood tests. I still to this day, almost 19 years old, suffer the state of life and mind. I will forever see a psychiatrist. I will forever take medication. Just please remember. That you aren’t alone. You are worth life. I know how it feels to fight demons that are beyond your mental capacity. I know how alone you feel. I understand the tears of not understanding half the things you do. I understand what anxiety and depression is. If I get too stressed, I have a panic attack on top of a bipolar episode. Trust me, I understand. You are beautiful, never forget that.
“Successfully” Living with Bipolar Disorder, If I Can Do it, So Can You!
I never thought I’d actually say I was “Successfully Living” with Bipolar Disorder. I’ve been on so many medications and been through cognitive behavior therapy, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations along with a long-term hospitalization as well. When I found out I had medication resistant depression and I had to have ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy) I didn’t think I’d ever become successful.
But, here I am. And, I can actually say for the first time since my diagnosis in 2003 that I am successfully living with Bipolar Disorder. Why do I say “successfully”? Because, I’d rather not consider the other options.
I work hard every day to make sure I stay stable. And, if an episode attempts to rear its ugly head, I’m on top of it. I’ve created a Coping Box that is my “go to” no matter if a mania episode or depressive episode starts. The box is filled with affirmations, prayer journals, my Bible, my Wellness Recovery Action Plan, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, bubbles, (no one can be in a sad mood with bubbles, right?) Gummie snacks, a list of people to call, and all sorts of spiritual books to keep me in God’s Word.
I encourage you to ask yourself,what is that makes you happy and taking the action to make them real. Mine, are giving support by helping people who has bipolar disorder and going though the same challenge and problems as I did.
My message is to celebrate all the hopes that every bipolar person has. Hope to discover what make us happy. It is your hope and the actions we take what keep alive your dreams and make our live with propose to life.
Hi my name is Robbi I’m a 43year-old mother of 3 at 32 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Mental illness runs in my family. My mother and grandfather were not diagnosed So unfortunately due to lack of awareness of the disease resources and lack of proper medications at 8 I lost my mother and witnessed her suicide . At 10 I witnessed the death of my grandfather to suicide also I’m a twin. Despite my extreme trauma and my losses I continue to fight for those like me who need support resources hope love kindness caring respect…most of all stop the stigma. I do not drink nor do drugs. I have no criminal record. I have an Associate degree as an Licenced Optician. I want to do what ever I can to help who ever I can. God has seen me thru and I feel like this organization will help me achieve those goals as well as I feel thats my purpose. It brings me great joy to give others hope. I want to become a motivational speaker like Les Brown. With Gods help I will❤