WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT?

[farraway]

I’ve been traveling along the BP road now for many years but I’ve only had a map for 3 years!
I’ve learnt such a lot in this time and I’m curious about what others have learnt, particularly anything that might help others.

[Alex_X_18]

thanks for the comnpliments guys
my secret is that I'm crazy I have bipolar and I'm a juvinile diabetic (which means I have to watch what I eat closely or I'll develop helth problems) plus my doctor told me in addition I have a hormonal imbalence
I was diagnosed with bp at age 11....
I had real erratic moodswings so I guess back then it was difficult to relate to people (both children and adults)as a teenager
I had crying fits episodes nightmares and panic attcks
my phyc doctor kept tryin to help me so back then I changed meds alot
basicly I had so many iussues that I droped out of highschool after only two years......
when I turned legal age to get my ged I took the test and moved off to college
Iooking back on some of it I was having truoble becoming stable
but at the same time I feel blessed becuase a lot of people cut me slack cuz I was just a kid then they didn't have very high expectations of me as they would of a full blown adult
I can't imagine how hard it must be to just be starting to go through bipolar
as an adult

[Narnia41]

Self awareness is helping me to manage my BP.  Being aware of my triggers, and making every effort to avoid them.

Maintaining a regular sleep/wake routine is a MUST I believe to staying well.  Not always easy to achieve and very restrictive on your social life, but I truly believe in it.

Alcohol avoidance is the biggest thing I've learnt - it's bad news, I've proved that to myself too many times.  

[LetaB]

  I'm with farraway, when so many of us are not diagnosed until we are much older than you and then many of us will live in denial for years (moi) I just can't believe you have such a handle on this thing already. What's your secret? I'd like to pass your information down to my troubled youth some day.

[farraway]

Alex, I'm just so impressed with your post - and only 19 too! (with such a wise head)
How long have you been diagnosed?

[Alex_X_18]

11 things I learned having bp

1)    Normal people will NEVER completely understand bp
there may be some who will come close who have something like adhd or ocd
but if they don't have bipolar disoder its best not to explain the disoprder...
If you must say something wait until you have known this person a few years
2)   always take your (meds this goes without saying) you may fee l that mads drag you down if so try going to your doctor
and having him/her slowly lowwer you doseage
NEVER skip your medicatoin even doing so for one night may cause you to have an episode
3)   take more meds when going through a stressfull peroid .......If you know your gonna be in school taking a lot of classes or working overtime or in a diffulcult living situation try upping your dosage so you won't become manic
4)   wait at least an hour for meds to kick in
Sometimes its hard when you having a panic attack or extremely frustated but I've had sevel overdoses this way I just thought oh I need more medication then later regretted taking so much
5)  you will be much more able with a strong support system look up a support group in your area
6)   DON'T PROCRASTONATE sometimes having bp you need to set aside extra time when getting ready for something or accplishing major goals or tasks putting this off to the last minute only makes things worse
7)   be organised..... because bipolar can cause you to be disorgansied remember to have a place for all of your things and keep you living area clean so that way nothing in you space becomes unfindable
8)    Have a backup plan....for when you start becomming manic or over medicated
9)      be very cautious when swiching medications
10)    keep a journal because somethimes it can be hard to recongnise when you are manic or depressed but journaling can help you relaise and treat your symptoms
11)    Find a good doctor one who underatands about bp and stick with them

[farraway]

I’ve learned (it’s taken a while) the following :-

Find good doctors
Educate myself on medications
Get a support group (essential)
To go easy on myself

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I've learned it's better to act entirely based on your thoughts instead of your emotions as they can destroy your judgment but that it's also not always possible to do this especially if you're so depressed you can't move.

[jst4shanell]

I have learned that I will no longer allow Bipolar to control me.  You have everyone telling you to stay away from your triggers.  I think that's wrong.  I believe you should learn what your triggers are and face them head on.  It won't be easy but eventually you will learn coping skills for it.  I will not allow BP to have control over me.  I will not run from things and not live my life.  

I have learned that I am a lot stronger than I ever thought I could imagine.  I have learned that most people on this forum are incredibly strong but just don't see it YET.  I have lived an emotional life and dealt with things people could not even imagine.  I believe that puts me at an advantage in life.

I have learned that life is hard no matter what.  Everybody has issues. We all have bad days.   Everyone has a story.  Some more interesting than others.  I have learned to laugh at myself and not take things too seriously.  Tomorrow it another day and another chance at starting over.  I am saying this right now as I am extremely depressed.  Things always get better.  You just have to wait.

[bastet56]

Well, one would be stay on your meds unless your dr changes them. Just because you feel better (it's because of the meds) is no time to quit. Read as much as possible about BP and treatments. Expect a lot of ignorant people to either blame everything you do on BP or to expect you to pull yourself 'up by your own boots straps' as if WANT to be this way. Get a hobby that you can enjoy and do by yourself or with others. Get into talk therapy with someone who has experience with BP and it's issues. There you can safely blow off steam and get new ways to deal with old problems. Expect breakthroughs during stressful times. Good Luck

[ILADVOCATE]

For myself I've learned that it often can take a long time to find the right mood stabilizer and a person should never give up and work with their provider. The other thing I've learned is that all people have emotions naturally but in extremely stressful situations or in dealing with passive aggressive or manipulative people the thing to do is to not emotionally react. As I always state to someone I know who is considering treatment for bipolar "stay factual" and "instead of being passive aggressive be assertive". Those techniques could probably be learned in cognitive behavioral therapy. Its essential to learn how not to waste emotional energy when its not needed. It took me a while to achieve this myself.