Just found out

[shatteredLife]

Just foun out I'm probably Bipolar. I already know I'm depressed and have an anxiety dissorder. I also may be ADD. I don't know how to handle this. What do I do? I'm overwhelmed...

[Anneinside]

I suggest that you read Bipolar for Dummies. It doesn't assume that you know anything to start with and covers most topics in bipolar. Also decent price.

[alittleinsomniaforyou]

when my Pdoc diagnosed me with bipolar I couldn't get a grip. Anxiety... depression... those were all "labels" I had lived with for so many years that I'd had time to come to terms with what the meant to me. But that's just the thing - they're only labels. You're no different than who you were before you were diagnosed, you're still going to wake up and handle the same issues that you did yesterday, so you shouldn't think of it differently.

I am really happy that a doctor finally did recognize my bipolar tendencies, because then he was able to correct my meds and my life changed drastically. I hope you see some similar changes in your life. Keep your hopes up. :)  

[lindahand]

First thing to do is to breath deeply. Sounds a bit like I am being a horses behind but it is the truth. Learning how to diaphramatic breath (I imagine it is on youtube) is really helpful for coping with the overwhelm and is great to slow down anxiety. Because the first thing we do when we are overwhelmed is start to breath shallow from our chest, then the body kicks in that there is trouble brewing and the whole thing escalates on us. Learning how to deep breath has helped me tremendously.

The second thing is to educate yourself. Don't go overboard but go on a few bipolar sites and maybe read a couple of books. A good book is the Bipolar Survival Guide and I do believe it is on sale at Amazon right now. Be sure to get the second edition as it talks about all the new meds and theories.

You say you just found out you are 'probably bipolar' - did a psychiatrist tell you this? If not I would get a referral to one and start from there.

And remember you have already been handling this your entire life. The only difference is now there is a name, and a wider hope of getting better because they will use medications to treat the bipolar. It does get easier with treatment.

[AngieWay14]

I'm sorry to hear things are so complicated. I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed. Just take every day as it comes and try to keep a cool head. I believe that I may have had clinical depression a while ago. Luckily, I saw what was going on. It's good that you know all this. You could get a test ran by your doctor. They could give you meds if necessary and tell you other ways of coping. I hope this is what you were looking for...