Bipolar Support Group

...until recently.

In the past 6 months, I've had to put my mother into a nursing home, watch my long time therapist (and the guy who rescued me from myself 16 years ago) crawl into a bottle as his wife was dying of cancer, and I've gotten into a love triangle from hell with a woman who, while wonderful, is showing herself to be not an adult.

The cumulative effect of all of this while trying to build my career and do graduate school at the same time has been devastating. I've slipped into a low the likes of which I haven't experienced since back when I was first sick. I feel it in my stomach. I can't sleep through the night. I can't really eat. And when I cry, my entire body trembles uncontrollably. While I know from experience I'm going to pull out of this, I'm in hell this morning.

I would like to suggest that you contact your doctor asap, like today, and tell him all thats been happening. He may prescribe medication, i don't know, and may even refer you to a psychiatrist (pdoc).

Glad you have found us. This is a very supportive group with others who live with bipolar; hearing first-hand from other bipolar members has helped me understand how this illness affects me therefore am better able to cope and be more gentle with myself when bipolar symptoms arise.

I used to have a lot of lows but since finding this place i come online daily and don't have as many lows anymore, i've even made friends here, hope you do too.

Post edited by: Dit, at: 02/02/2010 05:50 AM

Feel free to post elsewhere and get the support you need. We are here for one another. I know you will make friends here.

When the low comes, when it's at its most devastating, I've said aloud "I don't want this anymore", this meaning bipolar.

I'm seeing my PCP on Thursday for a previously scheduled physical.

I can relate to you with the excessive stress that you are now facing. I went through something similar and had a nervous breakdown. It was before I was diagnosed and they gave me antidepressants and stimulants at the same time.

When I crashed, I did not recover for 4 years. Once properly diagnosed it has taken almost 1 1/2 years to feel close to normal.

Please do not let them prescribe you antidepressants without a mood stabilizer. Many docs, especially family docs don't know this. I don't want to see you suffer the way I have.

Things will get better, but you have to do your part. See a pdoc, then follow your treatment plan.

Best wishes.

Everything will be fine. It may take a little while to improve, but you will feel better soon. Just work with your doctor.

((((((((Hugs))))))))))