Bipolar support thread

A question about : Bipolar support thread

I thought it might be best to have our own little thread, this is for everyone who has been, thinks they might be or just wants to generally chat about Bipolar.

I myself have just been diagnosed and have loads of unanswered questions, but think it would be nice for a support thread so we can all help each other and understand BP more.

If anyone has any great links to post for good late night reading i would be greatful.

Im sorry i cant add more i am at the beginning of my journey, but im sure there is people out there far more experienced than me

Best answers:

• I don't actually suffer from Bi-Polar but just wanted to recommended a support site for those who do https://www.mdf.org.uk/
  Hope that's ok It was recommended by a friend of mine who does have BP
• Thanks ill go have a read now
• Hey.
  I was diagnosed in March following years of undiagnosed illness. Still not reached the land of stability. Currently in a depressive episode and struggling.
  This morning I took part in Cardiff University's Mood Disorder Research. I thought some of you who have been diagnosed as Bipolar may be interested in taking part. There's no benefit to yourself, but it's interesting and could help pave the way for more understanding and eventually better treatments for those of us with Bipolar Disorder. It's the same research that Stephen Fry took part in as part of his "The Secret Life..." documentary. You can find out more here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/medic/subsi...ies/index.html
  Other useful sites: https://www.rethink.org, https://www.mind.org.uk and https://www.time-to-change.org.uk
• Thanks, i have give them a ring, they are passing my details on to someone in Birmingham as its a little closer and they will get someone to ring me just hope im doing ok when they ring.
• Thanks i have it booked in, just a little worried about the blood test she wants to take, what is that for? i hope she is a nurse otherwise i wont let her do it.
• Been in touch with MDF bipolar organisation, they dont have a self help group within easy distance of me, they have one in Sheffield but im not too keen on travelling there by public transport. They are trying to organise a meeting in Rotherham but are now 1 volunteer short, is there anyone out there who would be willing to volunteer to get this group going? please pm me if you can x
• I'm not sure if i have or not, i know i have some of the symptoms but i havent ever bought myself to get diagnosed as i think im coping alright. Plus i have a very good job and i wouldnt want anyone at work to know, even my bosses.
  I have the highest highs and the lowest lows. Sometimes i can see the good in everything and i get really happy about the littleist of things. I even tell my OH not to worry about insignificant things. I go from that to completely depressed, i have time on my own sitting in my room watching tv or playing on the xbox. I dont want to see anyone and i would be quite contempt with living on my own.
  I wasnt sure if it was autism at one point as i often concentrate on one thing and put all of my effort into it ignoring everything else (like a project with work or even making something at home). I go from one random hobby to the next!
  Its completely opposite and changes quite quickly. My OH often jokes that i must be bipolar which did lead me to think about it. I think whatever it is about me that does this does make me an interesting person. I have some really profound moments and i feel like i value life much more than people that just walk through it day by day.
  Maybe i'm bipolar and maybe im not. Still im quite happy with who i am and where im going in life at the moment.
• Hi Bufger glad your in a happy place with your life, mine got so bad it effected everything and everyone around me thats why i sought my GP's help and also the hospitals, if you find you have any questions feel free to ask im not as experienced as others but im sure we could answer your questions.
  Please though if it does start to effect your life dramatically speak to your gp
• Hi guys,
  I am bipolar, got diagnosed approx eighteen months ago. I take Lithium which helps, but am currently going through a 'non compliant' stage, because the weight gain became too much to handle. So now I just have to handle the crazy moods instead (currently spending like there is no tomorrow)!
  dane-katie, I can recommend the book 'An Unquiet Mind' by Kay Redfield Jamison. The author is a psychiatrist who has bipolar herself. I must have read it three times now, it is one of those books that you learn more from each time (and depending on your mood!).
  If I had a car I would happily come up to Roth to help with the group, but at the moment am reliant on others for transport - don't think they'd be too happy if I offered!
• 'non compliant' stage?
  I also have gained too much weight and hate it. I have also had 6 fillings in the past year (having only ever had one 10 yrs ago in my entire life). Aparently the meds are giving me a dry mouth and all i get told is chew more gum...which gives e a tummy ache so I can't.
  I'm trying to pluck up the courage to tell my team I'm not happy with what the meds have done so far, plus I never remember to take them...I've even tried setting my alarm, but I just forget!!! I know when I forget it takes a week or two to hit then my family notice before I do and I start taking them again...but I'm struggling to find the point in it if I have to keep going through it, and it seems unreasonable for me to ask my family to phone me every night.
  Hmmm yep well I'm rambling now. I was diagnosed approx. 18 months ago also and am on lithium and ADs
• lolz
  I have a pill box also, though it provides no help in reminding me to take meds, just shows what days I have forgotten!!! I'm still setting the alarm everday, it is so far the most effective method, though not very.
• The pharmacist blister packs mine for me with the day and time so they are all separate. I have 5 different things and 4 times of day and I was getting really confused. Boots will do this for you. DH sets my phone alarms for me as well.
• my morning pills live on the counter beside my kettle so it is impossible to fail to see them which helps with remembering, only if i take them immediately i see them though. night pills live with cat treats in my bedside drawer, cats ask for treats so i cant miss my pills when sorting the cats out.