First I have to say that being bipolar does not make one crazy, insane, unstable, need to be in an institution, or psychotic! So for me this coming year my goal is to get out more information about it. Too many people make assumptions about people who are bipolar. I'm coming out, I'm tired of hiding it like it's a unforgivable disease. I'm tired of being worried that people will find out...THIS IS WHO I AM!
So lets start with what bipolar IS: Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness characterized by extreme swings in mood, from highs (mania) to lows (depression).
Now what this means for me is: I may go from happy mom/wife, to crying mom/wife, to really pissed off mom/wife in a matter of minutes. Now, when I take my medicine this is not so bad. Do I have some days that are worse than others, ABSOLUTELY! But, I also have days where I am pretty calm all day. Those days are not so often these days as many things can change that from stress to weather, to just having a bad day.
Treatment for each individual with bipolar can vary. Some can do with just therapy, while most need medication and life long medication. Does it suck, yes! Do I like taking 4 pills a day, no! But for the sake of my family and my sanity, I do it. Even still with medication I have difficulty sleeping and concentrating some days, ok most days. I go from one thing to another. The best way to describe it for me is, it's like someone is in my head with a remote control flipping like hell through the channels. It is not like this for everyone and mostly it is the worst at night.
I will be posting more on this subject at a later date. For now if you want to learn more about bipolar you can get info here.
Thanks for posting this Melissa. I have quite a few family members that are bi-polar.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I have some experience with bipolar family members/friends and there is def some misinformation out there about it!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting post Melissa. I think we all have a touch of the highs and lows and let me tell you menopause can really bring in out in us. I look forward to learning more.
ReplyDeleteOh I understand all about menopause...at the age of 25 I had a hysterectomy, and OOPS, they forgot to tell me it would throw me straight into menopause so here I am 6 years later, still going through hot flashes, cold sweats, night terrors, mood swings (gotta be great between screwed up hormones and bipolar).
ReplyDelete