bipolar 1

[thispego]

I don't know your background (history with mental illness) but that's the type of answer that is easier said than done. If someone with any type of diagnosis, ranging from bipolar I or II generalized anxiety disorder or any other, they would love to be in that type of place.

Everything is easier said than done, ashbeigh Everything.

[ashbeeigh]

It's pretty simple to me. Beat addictions by journaling what bad habits you have, what limiting beliefs you have that fuel them (cause and effect), learn to slow down the process every day by watching how you make decisions and cir venting the process with healthier new habits. Then make enough courageous decisions so that the new habit becomes natural and keep improving your lifestyle.

Of course it's easier said than done but that doesn't mean it's not feasible and not worth trying... I'd say it a whole lot better effort with your life than resigning to it and saying f it I'm gonna go do pot or some other addiction to escape reality

Oh btw I have had anxiety and panic attacks diagnosed by a professional therapist. All I got in my sessions was a handout that explained how panic attacks happen and the ability to talk it through with the therapist.

No drugs because my insurance didn't want to pay for it. It turns out I didn't need them (or alcohol or anything else) anyway as I kept working on myself (visualization, eating right, realizing the trigger to my panic attack was one event and not a cycle of things). Over time the disorder lost it's grip over me and I took back control of my life. But it's definitely a constant thing that I have to remind myself of so I keep control over my emotions and use NLP and other techniques to change my default reactions to positive ones.

I applaud your ability to overcome your issues. The ways you dealt with them is commendable and viable. I'd recommend those types, specifically the bolded ones to bigzax. I also understand the insurance side of it. Medicine is soo expensive.And sometimes it isn't accessible. So, finding those other ways to deal with it is imperative.

Mental health is a trial and error science. If one thing doesn't work, like journaling or visualization maybe something else will for bigzax. In addition to monthly medical monitoring I think some type of therapy is a good idea. Everyone needs a bit of therapy every now and then.

[BadOdor]

Stop being crazy.






































STOP IT I SAID!

[benefactor]

Zak just trolling the ST posters he's supposed to troll.

[BadOdor]

Zak just trolling the ST posters he's supposed to troll.

Zak dancing naked in the streets of Dublin and stealing his company's laptop = greatest troll job in history.

[benefactor]

In all seriousness...Bipolar disorder is not the same as any regular anxiety disorder that you can use cognitive therapy to work through. Most true bipolars cannot just make a manic episode go away and they are often unpredictable.

[The Reckoning]

Everything is easier said than done, ashbeigh Everything.

yeah right she watches lifetime

[BadOdor]

In all seriousness...Bipolar disorder is not the same as any regular anxiety disorder that you can use cognitive therapy to work through. Most true bipolars cannot just make a manic episode go away and they are often unpredictable.

You saying one day we will wake up to read about zak murdering and eating his family?

[thispego]

yeah right she watches lifetime

naaaaaaturally

[benefactor]

You saying one day we will wake up to read about zak murdering and eating his family?

Probably not as he is trolling. Bipolars usually don't do that anyway. That's closer to schizophrenia...and I've met many that have either done it or attempted to do it.

[BadOdor]

Probably not as he is trolling. Bipolars usually don't do that anyway. That's closer to schizophrenia...and I've met many that have either done it or attempted to do it.

You've met "many" schizophrenics who tried to kill and eat their families?

I somehow doubt that.

[ashbeeigh]

yeah right she watches lifetime

Yeah. I learned all that from lifetime.

[thispego]

Probably not as he is trolling. Bipolars usually don't do that anyway. That's closer to schizophrenia...and I've met many that have either done it or attempted to do it.

you know zak is NOT trolling right? dis is real

[benefactor]

You've met "many" schizophrenics who tried to kill and eat their families?

I somehow doubt that.

Kill them, yes. Eat them, no.

[benefactor]

you know zak is NOT trolling right? dis is real

Just like his strange belief system, right? If he is for real he is in the wrong place for advice about such a thing and he knows that...therefore he is trolling.

[thispego]

Just like his strange belief system, right? If he is for real he is in the wrong place for advice about such a thing and he knows that...therefore he is trolling.

dude he's ed up in the head, why does anything he does have to make sense? he's looking for advice here amongst other places, he's also narcissistic because he wants everyone to know his business

[Cry Havoc]

Bikzak, as someone with clinical experience, I urge you to reconsider not taking your meds.

A state of mania can do a lot more than just put tension on your social relationships. It can drive you to make serious life-altering decisions on a whim, things that you regret and wish you could take back for the rest of your life.

There should be a balance you can strike between taking your meds so that you don't feel like a zombie but where they are still allowing you a modi of control.

[tlongII]

Just like his strange belief system, right? If he is for real he is in the wrong place for advice about such a thing and he knows that...therefore he is trolling.

Oh he's for real all right. Believe me, he's not trolling.

[tlongII]

I think Zak is a good guy. He just needs to find a medication that will work for him. I believe medication is a necessity for people with serious bipolar issues.

[Kori Ellis]

I think Zak is a good guy. He just needs to find a medication that will work for him. I believe medication is a necessity for people with serious bipolar issues.

I agree with this.

A lot of psychological issues are over-medicated and over-diagnosed these days (ADHD/anxiety disorders/SAD/depression, etc). But if you are truly bipolar (which I believe is rare, but I believe is the case with Zak), then you need meds to get balanced.

[benefactor]

Bikzak, as someone with clinical experience, I urge you to reconsider not taking your meds.

A state of mania can do a lot more than just put tension on your social relationships. It can drive you to make serious life-altering decisions on a whim, things that you regret and wish you could take back for the rest of your life.

There should be a balance you can strike between taking your meds so that you don't feel like a zombie but where they are still allowing you a modi of control.

I work in a psych facility also. Best advice yet if he truly is not trolling.

[PuttPutt]

Stop being lazy bigzak. You don't have to smoke pot or take meds, you do, however, have to get off your fat ass and stop doing nothing. Your mind takes over when your body is idle. Start slow, but you need a lifestyle change, not just a diet, a whole new way of life. One thing that sucks... It's not easy, but it's the best thing you can do for yourself and to be a good role model for your son and whatnot

This is good advice. It has worked for me. I was diagnosed bipolar 1 too. Been on & off meds for 16 years. Been off of them for 4 years. I have used as much self control as possible, but keeping busy has helped a lot. I have invested more time with my 2 kids & that's difficult living in a rural area Not many places to take them). Now I need to work on exercise. We changed our foods & have eaten more healthy (veggies & lower fat foods). This has made me feel better too. And talking to a shrink helps too. I haven't been to one in many months, but been doing good.


But then sometime you just may need meds. But my shrink & family doctor both agree that I don't need the meds.

I wish the best Bigzak.

[TinTin]

What about straitjacket?

[Darrin]

to medicate, or not to medicate...that is the question.

Medicate.

if i don't medicate, then i must exercise extreme self control, which i have been unable to do in the past.

I have tried it this way and it didn't work out too well. Look, if you can wish away this disorder, then you don't have it. It is more likely that you feel okay and that can lead to not taking your medication, but it won't last and it's like a cancer patient discontinuing treatment because they feel "alright."

if i do medicate, then i feel uncomfortable in my own skin. very eerie feeling.

I suffer from Bipolar II and find it difficult to feel the full effect of anything when I am on a mood stabilizer. I sympathize, but I still take my meds every day at 7AM.

last resort is pot which i know would get many votes on this site, but is not an option as i don't want to be a bad example for my son and i need to get a jobby job.

so what say you spurstalkers?

Don't do this. It's just self-medicating. Your son should know that when he faces a challenge, no matter how life-long or daunting, that he must do everything in his power to conquer it. You can tell him that one day. Set the example. It's the best thing for you and for him.

[bigzak25]

alot of good advice in this thread, and i thank you all very much in all seriousness.

i see a doctor on the 24th for further discussion regarding medications, but until then i am on sabbatical as of last night and i can say, that as of this am, i feel much better.

i haven't needed meds for 35 years, and i might not live to see too many more, but I gotta be me, as God made me. i'm learning lessons as I go and I feel I can control this disease. I may be wrong, i may stumble, but I refuse to stay down.

my family will always come first to me, but I can't operate with the meds...at least not at the dosage that was proscribed.

alright, that's all for now folks!