Help feeling lost

[Mrswright87]

Hey guys am new here my story of how I ended up on this site is a long dark road and it isn't getting brighter I have just been told by the doctors I have bipolar and to be honest I have start doubting my self since ave been told I feel like nothing is real everything I used to be was a lie , I am a mum of 2 my daughter is 11 and my son is 9 I don't like to moan about things nor waste doctors time so I have put it off for awhile going as I think I knew for some time something wasn't right , I meet my partner 6 years ago and we were trying for our own baby for 3 years and with no luck we went to docs went threw tests and doin out we would have to go threw ivf and that's when my life went down hill if am honest as much as I didn't want to bother anyone with my personal problems I never once crude in front of any one but I soon noticed the changes I would stay n bed for days it was a fight to get up I stopped answering my phone and the door I stopped going out with friends then I'd get my days where I woul take on the world I wanted to do everything spend money I didn't hav buy things I didn't need book holidays I couldn't afford
Now I tend to get a hold of this and find the old me I just don't understand the ins and outs and I feel so alone my doctor has confirmed I have it and that ha been it no booklet no advice of where to turn now
Am lost in this new scary world
Any advice would be great

[Mrswright87]

Thank u so much I can't thank u enough for your advice it has given me a bit of hope that I may just be ok xxx

[thatquietgirl]

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties conceiving and everything you've been through that lead you here.  Bipolar disorder can be a scary diagnosis to hear, but I think it can be a relief in some ways because it finally gives an answer to what is going on.  I know that I felt both these emotions when I was diagnosed.  After all, everything goes on and focuses on how it gets worse with age, etc., etc., but I have found that it is manageable if you are committed to being open and honest with your psychiatrist and therapist.

I would suggest finding a good psychiatrist to consider medication or supplements that might help.  You'll need a list of your current medication if psychiatry is outside your normal provider.

I would also suggest finding a good therapist.  Counseling and learning to spot your symptoms, triggers, etc., plays a huge part in becoming well.  You could start tracking your symptoms daily with a mood tracker on this site and then bring it to your first therapy appointment.

Do note that neither of these are doctors/specialists you are necessarily going to find instantaneously.  It may take trying two or more different therapists to find one who clicks with you and makes you feel comfortable, for instance, and that is oh-so-important to the road to recovery.  If you don't feel comfortable with a psychiatrist or therapist, it affects what you report to them and what you don't, and you really have to be able to be open and honest so medication can be properly adjusted and therapy can be properly tailored to meet your needs.

Group therapy is also a huge help as is journaling.

NAMI is a good resource when it comes to mental illness as well.  

Let me know if you have any other questions!