Problems cleaning?

I have been diagnosed with bipolar 1 and I was wondering if anyone else has problems cleaning.  I look at the mess and my mind screams to go clean it, but it's like my body can't do it.  I have a reprieve about twice a month and am able to get something done but that's it.  Does this have anything to do with bipolar or is it something else entirely?

[triedeverymed]

Me too! And I think it does have to do with the illness. Somedays I have no energy but other days I have energy but NO MOTIVATION. Those  are part of Bipolar.
If I may ask are you on any meds for the BP?
Hugs,
Erin

[jvfierro]

I was on Risperidal, Paxil, and Klonipin (klonopin) but I ran out of meds Sun. night and have been going through withdrawl (withdrawal) since Mon.  It doesn't seem to matter if I am on meds or not, I still have the same problem.  Thank you Erin.  At least I know I am not alone.

[Venora Moonwind]

Hi there i would clean furiously when I was manic. I could never get the house clean enough. tha nk goodness I am stable now on zyprexa and celexa I drove myself crazy with the clean thing and I couldnt stop myself until I crashed into the depression state. dont wory about the house Just take good care of yourselves and get back on the meds and maybe they arent the right meds if you are still going through this. talk it over with your doc and go from there.
Love Venora

[Crystlas]

I am a neat freak to and I am BP I.  Anyhow, I clean once a week and make my home nice an neat, on good days.  When I am a bit elevated I get deep cleaning done.  When I am having a low and have no motivation I split my cleaning into two or three days and do a few tasks each day.  It makes it much easier for me.  Hope this helps

[xanweaner]

The way I see it is this: people, whether bp or not, either like to clean or not; put off cleaning or do it right away; let it pile up then clean it up when it's a mess; just leave it a mess and live with it, etc...

It's not always a function of bp. What's more concerning, you are withdrawing from meds cold turkey!!! That is serious.....you need to do this with the advice and direction from your prescribing doc., and you are supposed to taper down.

Please do it the right way so you don't harm yourself during an abrupt withdrawal...

[Crystlas]

I agree with xanweaner.  It is never a good thing to quit cold turkey.  Do you know what these meds do?  They balance your brain chemicals so that you can function more normally.  When you quit cold turkey it is an entire shock to your system.  Would you go out into the cold, bundled up and then take everything off and jump into a icey pond that is 20 degrees below normal?  No..why?  Because it would be a shock to your system. Also, you would get hypothermia and possible die.  Look at it in that prospective.  As far as cleaning or not, it is not a function of BP, true, but when I was deeply depressed my usual clean freak self had a very hard time getting anything done, including cleaning.  So, being off balance can effect normal activities.  

[jvfierro]

I did not go off my meds by choice.  My finances are not at a good point right now and I could not afford to refill my prescriptions.  Trust me, if it were up to me, I would still be on the meds.  Thank you for the advice though.

[Crystlas]

I am in the same boat.  I have no job and just graduated from college this past December.  So I am looking right now.  Anyhow, I got bad off last year with my bipolar and qualified for state mental health only insurance.  I do not pay anything and it covers my psychiatrist and therapist visits along with my medications for the illness.   Because of your financial need  you could qualify for help like I did.

[DLA]

No, I don't have a problem cleaning.  I just don't do it!  A rump pup pup!

[jvfierro]

Unfortunately Arizona does not offer that type of insurance.  We were previously on state insurance, but now we make just over the limit and we were cut off.  I am trying to get my kids on KidsCare right now (just waiting for a response) and I am on my husbands insurance.  I will keep looki ng and maybe we will find the help we need.  Thank you.

Jenny

[Crystlas]

Your welcome!  If you are on your husbands insurance how come you can not get insurance?  Just wondering!   To you and all...as far as cleaning.....whew...I just got done cleaning an entire apartment on my property and made 150 bucks towards rent!  Makes me happy.  The place looks awsome but I am exhausted!  LOL....just wanted to share!  

[Jen813]

I soooooooooooooooooooo know what you are talking about.  As I write this I am looking at my house thinking "This place is such a mess!" but instead of cleaning it, I just sit here and stare at it.  It's not as if I even have anything better to do, I just can't get myself motivated enough to do it.  The odd thing is when I do actually get going, I go overboard and try to make everything spotless and perfect.  It's a strange kind of catch 22.  I have two children as well, so the mess is even larger and harder to control!!  My husband thinks that I'm just lazy.......maybe I should have him read this post.

[jvfierro]

It wouldn't hurt to have your husband read the post.  My husband is the same way.  He is always pushing me to get things done.  I know what you mean about the catch 22, you are so focused on making one thing perfect that you can't move onto the next thing that needs to be done.  I just hope that your husband comes to realize that it's not laziness that keeps us from getting the job done.  

[DLA]

When you finish there my address is. .. . . LOL!

Can you just send me some of that energy?  Dang, I forgot the pack of RedBull today!

[Crystlas]

Energy? Ha!  I have to earn my rent or I am outta here!  I am dirt poor and it is my only choice until I start my new job next month.  I gotta do whatever I can to keep a roof over my head.  Luckly, I have a kickin' landlady.  She is even gave me money to do my laundry, because she said while tenents work for her they get their laundry paid for!  So it helps alot! I am so sore and exhausted today, but I have to keep going.  

[Jen813]

I think you are right.  I wish he would realize that sometimes and know that I can't just 'snap out of it.'  What a wonderful thing that would be if I could, the things that I would get done!!  I actually cleaned the bathroom spotless last night, and I got half the kitchen done today.  You'd never know by looking at the rest of the house that I did any cleaning but as far as I am concerned it's certainly a start!!!

[sammijo]

Cleaning...hmmmm...I think I remember something concerning that word...uh...NOPE ...LOL ...I know "bed,sleep,temper tamtrum,anger (soon anger management therapy (so I hear today, I am set up now for it)...LMAO) pissed off at the Whole world, uhhh ... do not recall the word "cleaning"... sorry ...LMAO...  OH by the way you may send some of that energy my way too
@ 1234 bi polar lane in nowhereville ... LOL ... ok ok , I think I am a smart *** today...My head is hurting really bad...I will blame it on that... he he he "OUCH"

May Jesus be with us all !!! (no sarcasm here!)  
I Thank him for his wonderful Grace he bestows upon us daily !!
sam

[DLA]

Amen.  

[FreeSpirit4Life]

I will trade u Iwould love to just sit and watch all of oprah with out getting up ounce I swear I am just chasing my tail LOL fanaticly cleaning a clean house as my hubby says

[Crystlas]

Cleaning has gotten my mind off of things!  So, I am cleaning and quilting this month, it keeps me distracted.  I also clean to music and quilt to silly movies.  Helps some, cause during those times I am not thinking about it all.  I hate quiet right now, and that is so unlike me!  

[FreeSpirit4Life]

I can totally relate it just wont turn off or stop with out noice my head needs distraction's 2

[Crystlas]

I usually can enjoy quiet, it is the current life events happening that is disturbing me so much right now.  So, staying busy has been the best thing for me, to minimize me thinking about all of it!

[DLA]

Well, the offer still stands.  You could be destracted for days, possibly weeks with my house!  LOL  And with 3 kids around it's never quiet, so that wouldn't be a problem.

[FreeSpirit4Life]

music is a positive outlet as long as u listen to positive music LOL

[Crystlas]

DLA, you gonna fly me there?  I am not working working right now, just working for my Landlady.  So, if you want to fly me out, we could work a deal.  I do need lots of money! LOL.....

FreeSpirit, always positive music.  I enjoy music that has meaningful lyrics!!  

[Crystlas]

Oh!  My latest love, who I have totally fallin' for is Bob Marley.  I don't think you can get more positive than that.  "Three Little Birds" is my theme song and getting me through all of this mess of a situation I am facing!  

[DLA]

Wish that I could, honey!  Been working myself to death trying to do something with this horrid mess we call home.  Oh, it's awful!  I guess I exaggerate a little.  But not much.  lol

Bob Marley?  The raggae guy from the 80's?  That Bob Marley?  

[Crystlas]

HMM????? WHAT OTHER Bob Marley IS THERE GAL???  Now then, he is my man, my main squeeze, so watch it sista!!!    BTW, it is over with Joel.  Oh well.  I am cool with it.  He had his little girl pals send me nasty messages tearing me down.  Can we say grow up?

[DLA]

Isn't Bob Marley about 60 by now?  LOL  That was 20 years ago I used to listen to him!  Ugh, I'm soooo old.  Am going to have to find this song and check it out.  Of course by the time I find it on my dial up it'll be ancient, just like Bob Marley is.  LOLOLOLOLO  

Well, good riddance to bad rubbish!!  Glad you found out about him before you actually married the jerk.  There is some wonderful man out there just waiting to find you.  But take your time and make sure you've been waiting to find him.  Remember that wolves come in sheep's clothing.

[Crystlas]

Thank you, I know.  I have this weird feeling like he is coming soon, I have never felt that before.  Joel saved my life and that I am very grateful for, or I would not be here now.  Bob Marley died of cancer in 87, if I remember the date correctly.  He had foot cancer and it ate through his entire body.  I love his music, it moves me and inspires me.  It has really helped me right now.  TTYS!  

[DLA]

OK! OK!  Had no idea Bob Marley was dead until about 30 seconds ago.  He died in '81, so his music is even older than I thought. ;-)

[DLA]

NOW I see your post about him dying.  Use to like his music, will have to check it out next time I'm in Wallie World.

Cool.  Hope he comes along soon.

Hey, heard something yesterday at Wal-Mart.  If you go to their website you can click on a link for free stuff.  Neat, huh?  Also heard them talking about a Free Coupon website that you can get coupons for stuff you actually use, not like the Sunday paper.  Haven't checked them out yet, but I'm going to.

Hey, what are you doing up anyway?  It's like. . .what. . .3:00 there?  I KNOW you're not up b/c the blasted dial up is so slow.  Insomnia?

[Crystlas]

LOL....I know, I discovered their free sample section a few weeks ago!  I am so poor that I have been going to as many websites as I can offering free stuff!  I have gotten stuff other than samples too!  Just be careful on those sites where you have to obligate to a membership.  I did that on one and now I have a ton of telemarketers calling me every day...GRR...  I signed up for the Do Not Call List and it will activate soon.  Stick with manufactor websites, no spamming that way.  The coolest stuff so far is bags of coffee, a toothbrush and tongue scraper, makeup and bottle of vitamin D.  Other than that a ton of samples of everything you can think of.  If you get bored, have a blast.  I went to the freebie sites to look at manufactors offering stuff and instead of linking through them, I opened another tab and just went to the main sites!  Yeah, I had bad insomnia along with the quilting bug.  I rearranged my bed into a corner when I re-did my bedroom and have not slept well since.  So, I woke up do darn early today and put it back against the wall.  I am going to wash my sheets and put them fresh back on today, instead of putting on my other set.  I hope to sleep tonight!  Well off to cleaning an apartment!  Take care! Kris

[DLA]

I have to sleep facing North.  No joke.  If I don't face north I can just about not sleep.  It's the craziest thing.  And get this, unless I'm sitting at home I have no idea which direction is where.  I'll end up cross ways on a bed and then end up asking which direction that is.  It's ALWAYS north.  Don't know, I can't understand it.  Maybe I need to ask someone.  Naw.  They would really think I'd lost my mind.  lol

I have a few sets of really old sheets that are super thick cotton.  I can sleep better on these sheets than on any others.  They are kinda stiff and just feel so good.  My favorite night is the day I wash the sheets.  If I had a maid she'd have to put fresh sheets on the bed every day!  I'd be like Oprah.

Maybe as bps we just have more sensitivity to sleeping arrangements.  Did that make sense?  This sounds like a good thread to start.  Let's find out.

[Crystlas]

I learned long ago that there is certain directions that people prefer to sleep in, it is weird.  I slept a lot better and pretty solid last night.  So, I get to enjoy a day of quilting!!  I figured out what applique to use too!  Anyhow, I LOVE clean sheet night and look forward to it every Friday.  I have one set of egyption cotton (thanks mom) and one set of 800 thread count that came with my bed set so they are both really comfortable.  Seemings how bipolars have the most sleep problems maybe we can do come sort of thread experiment to learn their sleep preferences.  I sleep North the most comfortably too.  Weird......

[DLA]

This north connection is really interesting.  It is weird.  Have you tried holding a compass to see what it does.  As I stated in the other thread I can't use one, it just spins like a top.

[Crystlas]

Nope, never have.  I have not seen a compass in years!