i'm petrified to go. i'm a sr. art director and graphic designer... lots of responsibility and pressure, which i can normally handle or even thrive in. sigh.

When did you notice that you need to visit a doctor?
Did he already prescribe some meds for bipolar?
Which form of bipolar disorder is in your diagnosis?

Dealing with bipolar disorder isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to run your life.

i've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder since i was in high school. then diagnosed with PTSD about 10 years ago. so, to answer your first question a long time ago my psychiatrist did diagnose me as bipolar 1 and i've been taking new medicine since diagnosis.... almost 2 weeks ago, i think. my husband and i went to see him urgently because i had, what we thought at the time, a nervous breakdown. dr said i had a panic attack and hyperventilated; i was catatonic at one point. i had my first manic episode the day before my breakdown, but it was a quick mixture of up and down. at least i think it's my first. things have been getting worse over the past 2 years. before then i was med free for about 2 years. i'm also dealing with other health issues. fertility to be exact. and i've been at home recovering from major surgery, for fertility and tumor, for roughly 5 weeks now! not good for the head.... but i guess none of it is

it just seems to get harder the older i get. i've spent my entire adult life trying to get mentally healthy and i've done great in the past. it's especially difficult growing up with a diagnosed bipolar 2 (psychotic) brother on no meds. i've always felt a certain way about him and i wont sleep in the same house with him alone. but we are very close and love each other deeply. i find the situation weird now that i'm on the other side.

i'm dealing with ignorance and stereotypes constantly while i continue to try to figure this all out. i feel desperate right now. sorry i'm ranting.

it's great to hear something positive, thanks. i'm new to bipolar, personally, and i'm confused i think. i have lost that place; when i was a child and innocent or feeling like i'm in touch with reality... grounded. my happy place. i know we are not supposed to talk about religion but i just need to say that i am angry with him. off to make pumpkin pies for tomorrow... i'm using some of my wedding presents my goal is to have thanksgiving at our house next year.

I very sorry you are going through a hard time.
Is everything going right with the recovery from the surgery?
Do you feel better since you are taking the new meds?
Have you been depressed and taking antidepressants before you got the manic episode?

I understand u are going through a hard time this is not something u asked for. I think u are right u and ur husband took vows and he should be there for u. whether he is or is not u still need to concentrate on urself. Bipolar people go through happy episodes(they are great) and sad episodes. u need to do what makes u happy to keep u out of the depression and stress but try not to get too excited. There are natural remedies that u can do to help u cope with ur disorder. Try a full rest (sleep) at night Then eat healthy to keep ur body comfy. Cafiene and sugar is not for bipolar people it can lead to mania. Ur diet can really help. Spend sometime with urself, when u feel angry stay away from other and spend some time alone. Try exersize and medatation or yoga. The exercize will control ur anger and frustration, the yoga and meditation will keep you calm and clear thinking. Understand when u have weird thoughts and feelings it is ur disorder and not u.

When I have uncontrolable fears and bad thoughts I pray, this helps many, pray to ur higher power it helps.

Dear puzzld,

I would rather read that your husband is CONCERNED for you, than miserable or mad. Rememeber, when he said 'I Do', it was because he fell in love with YOU and whatever comes along with you! I didn't get my diagnosis until after I was married, I have dealt with the feelings that come along with bi-polar all my life. I noticed them as a teenager. Being a child of the '80's, you never talked about that kind of stuff. Then, if you were on prozac, you were 'CRAZY'...as you mentioned...the stereotypes. My wife has been very patient with me as I still try to learn about my disorder. As I am almost 40 (36), I am still trying to discover where I fit into this world. I have made bad financial decisions...said things (I usually lean on sarcasm, when I get down), had days where I had to make an effort to smile...and she has dealt wih it. In the business I am in, you are seeing and talking to people ALL THE TIME, so I have had to learn to COVER my feelings. Where I am going here is that we have had to deal with my disorder under other stressers. I will certainly pray that your husband wll try to take the time to learn about the disorder. If he loves you and knows you as I hope he does, as he learns about the disorder, he should be able to see how it effects you. My wife will be reding something about it and get to a line that describes me...and say something like "Uh-huh...this is about you". I certainly hope he would not leave you over this. As for children, one of my three is mine (biologically...two from a previous civil marriage). I only fear my daughter doesn't have it...she is a very smart, bright litle girl...I am thankful for that...but, many bi-polars are brighter than average.

I don't know you and your husband...but, I TRULY hope you can convince him to take the time to learn about this disorder! It's a very worthwhile investment of time for the woman he loves...YOU!

I am new here, but if you need to 'talk', feel free to private message me (if this board allows it). I hope all goes well at home (especially)...and on the job! You are in our family's prayers!

Sincere Best Wishes to you!!

HI, I am also a diagnosed bipolar. I am 27 years old and got diagnosed at 25. It has been been really hard. I mostly have trouble taking the meds after i start feeling better. BUt my moods are always up and down. If there are any questions I can answer for you please let me know. I know how you are feeling. I am getting Married in July and my fiance has been having a really hard time understanding the is disease. Hang in there........it does get better.

Cammigrl

thanks for the support everyone! i'm having a terrible day at work. i'm a sr. art director/graphic designer and my boss is mad at me for forgetting a lot of stuff. i'm trying my best but i'm not cutting it. he said for me to "please get in gear" and that he has to babysit me. well... he emailed -

"Get in gear please. I really don't want to have to check and babysit every little thing that comes from you. But, at the moment, I really feel like I have to. I am making lists to REMIND you of things I ask you to do, follow up on items decided on, etc.

You can imagine how UN-NECESSARY this is in a professional environment. I have my job to do - you have yours. And I need to feel comfortable that what I give you to do - is done CORRECTLY and on TIME.... without enormous input and checking/double checking on my part."

UGH!!! before that email he pointed out that i am unable to perform "SIMPLE simple tasks".

this is my dream job basically and i'm losing it. should i tell him that i have bipolar and i'm just starting on meds??

i've been back almost 2 weeks now from recovery. i was out of work for 5 weeks.
as far as my husband goes, since i've been working things are MUCH better. he's done a good bit of research but i know it will take time for reality to set in. i know that he is totally against me losing my job but i am too! this is so frustrating and demoralizing.

are the meds making me hazy and forgetful?? i put a call in to my dr. to ask if i'm taking too much or if this is normal. i was feeling so good last week and now i'm down again. i want my life back!!! does it REALLY get better?? cause it just seems like a never ending scenario. how do i make people understand that i am sick? i tried to get extra insurance through aflac but none of there programs cover mental illness. big surprise there...

just got a call back from nurse. dr. says it's probably my bipolar. he wants to see me right away, monday....

my boss probably thinks i'm terminally ill based on how much i see my dr. and i don't even see a counselor yet because i fear i'll get fired for even more dr. visits.