life is tuff

[QueenMontana]

I am takin multiple medications for bipolar disorder and other mental illness. I always feel like giving up on myself.  I hate having to depend on medications just to feel a bit stable  

[jemma116]

Perhaps you should make an appointment to see your doctor, if you haven't seen him for a while to assess how you are getting on with your meds.  It may be that your meds need to be adjusted or changed.

You may find that counselling may be of benefit to your and also relaxation exercises.  Any type of exercise is good, but you have to force yourself to go for a walk when you are on a low.  

Keep a diary of your mood swings to see if it is connected to your menstrual cycle.  Your profile says that you are 40 and a female, if this is correct (profiles are sometimes not correct), it may be that you are in the start of the change and your highs and lows may be related not only to a bipolar problem, but also a hormone imbalance.  A doctor would be able to confirm if you have a hormone imbalance by doing a blood test.

When in a low, you are likely to turn to junk food for comfort.  Make sure that you have a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of water.  Cut out or cut down on processed and sugary foods and alcohol.  You may also find taking Evening Primrose Oil helpful.

If you find that your lows and moods are very bad a few days running up to your periods, then you are suffering from Premenstrual Stress (PMS) sometimes also referred to as Premenstrual Tension (PMT).

Being around people who make you feel good and doing anything that you like to do like a hobby or joining a club in something that you are interested in and meeting new people is also helpful (even though you may have to force yourself to go).

Best wishes.

[tootiewoodie]

Being bipolar for me is very hard. I hate the highs and lows of bipolar. Wish there was a way to get rid of it permanently. Please give some suggestions on getting out of the black hole. I feel like I'm falling deeper. I take my meds but sometimes it's not enough.

[QueenMontana]

thanks

[jemma116]

It is hard and you will have set backs from time to time, but do NOT give up on yourself.  

Keep taking your meds as prescribed by your doctor if these are helping you.  Talk to your doctor so that he can monitor how you are getting on with your medications.  

Ask your doctor if you can be referred for counselling.  You may benefit from having cognitive behavioural therapy and about how to change the way you think.

Going out and joining a club and meeting people will help you to feel much better.  Doing some form of exercise that you enjoy will help, even going for walks in the fresh air.

If things seem overwhelming, write down a list of things you would like to do and achieve, and take one small step at a time to get to your goal.

Wishing you all the best.

[otakugenx]

I know exactly what you mean.  I myself am on quite a few.  But if it helps you, why stop it. And never give up, that is the only way you can beat your problems.  Beating them does not necessarily mean they go away, beating them means you are still controlling them and not them you.  By taking your meds you are the one controlling them, they might fight back, but you are in control.  Daily meds are a part of a vast majority of the populations life.  From diabetes, to heart arrhythmia, from depression to glaucoma, from BPD to high blood pressure.  Lots of Americans are medicated daily.