I love that picture! Can ya tell?

Ok so it is said that other illnesses often co-exist w/ bipolar, so today it's about what they are.

Substance abuse is very common among people with bipolar disorder, but the reasons for this link are unclear. Some people with bipolar disorder may try to treat their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. However, substance abuse may trigger or prolong bipolar symptoms, and the behavioral control problems associated with mania can result in a person drinking too much.

When I was younger I had my share of substance abuse. I drank ALOT! I'm no angel, I did other "things" as well, but am proud to say that it's been over 13 years since I have touched a drug. Alcohol, well it really wasn't fun to me anymore after I turned 21 anyway, so I drink very very rarely these days. Don't try to guess my age, I will never tell.

Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia, also co-occur often among people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder also co-occurs with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has some symptoms that overlap with bipolar disorder, such as restlessness and being easily distracted.

I could talk to you all day about anxiety disorder, and PTSD. I've suffered for years. I was diagnosed w/ anxiety disorder and treated for it, for years before I was diagnosed and treated for bipolar.

People with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other physical illnesses. These illnesses may cause symptoms of mania or depression. They may also result from treatment for bipolar disorder. 

Funny I had no idea that thyroid disease went along w/ bipolar disorder. I was just recently diagnosed w/ having a low functioning thyroid. See I learn something even through educating the rest of the world.

Other illnesses can make it hard to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder should monitor their physical and mental health. If a symptom does not get better with treatment, they should tell their doctor.

Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. 

Hello, Is There Anybody Like Me?!?

No it's not Bipolar Sunday, but if any of you have read my Sunday posts then you know, that I am. So for anyone who might be sensitive to the subject today's post may not be for you, because I like to make light of my "mental illness" (as some will use as a defense in court) because, well it makes it easier for me to deal with. I am not schizophrenic, but I do what the voices tell me to (that is my boss at work.) 

I set goals for myself, I set them ALL the time, but I never seem to achieve them on my own. If I set a goal, then someone has to ride my behind the whole time to keep me focused. The only thing I can do on my own is take my meds, and well that's because they are sitting there every day staring me in the face. Now if they were put up some where, I'd never take them and probably end up divorced, because yes I'm very mean at times. So I sit and ponder today, how is it I can make myself achieve goals on my own. If I don't keep them in my face or have someone riding me about them, I'll never achieve them. I have the same lame excuse every time for myself "life just gets in the way." Yeah, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's used that, but am I the only one who uses it ALL the time?

I want to lose weight, and I want to live a healthier lifestyle. So what have I said to myself "I'll quit smoking!" But I will always quit after this pack, that is until I'm about to run out and off to the store I go for another. I'm going to eat healthier, more fruits and veggies and stuff. Oh and I'm going to, right until I get home and I'm to tired to make a healthy meal, and the fruits well, uhm, yeah don't have an excuse for that one other then I don't. I'm going to stop drinking so much soda, that is until I realize that I've run out and go into full blown panic mode.

So I ask, am I the only one out there like this? Is there any way to get past life and get on w/ actually accomplishing a goal on my own?

It's A Surprise!!

This isn't Melissa, it's her friend Heather! And I just installed Melissa's

new blog layout!!! She doesn't know I am done with it and I wanted to surprise her. 

It leaves a bad taste in your mouth

Soap that is! While taking my shower tonight my body wash got in my mouth. I swear, no matter what flavor they say it is, it never really tastes like it.

Heather and I got a good work out yesterday! I got my Wii on Tuesday and I did my Wii fit for like 1 1/2 hours yesterday. I love that thing! I kicked her butt in a few things, but mostly she kicked mine. I love the Rhythm Parade....even if I don't have rhythm. I also like the Kung Fu thingy, that one I really suck at. The hula hoops really makes my abs burn, YAY! I'm so excited I got it. 

I DIDN'T FORGET HEATHER!

So I have a funny story for you about Heather. I was supposed to put it on my What I Meant to Say Wednesday but I forgot to get it up and I just know that Heather was hoping I forgot all together, so here it is a day late, but not a dollar short (ok I really probably am a dollar short).

Before I say What I Meant to Say please visit Heather's post all about ME!

So my dear friend Heather and I are talking on the phone about my upcoming vacation to FL and my swearing that I will have a bikini body before we go. I mention that at my ripe old age of 25 I don't have the body of a 18 yr old anymore. Out of the mouth of Heather comes "Your 25? Why was I thinking you were older?"

What I said was: LMFAO!

What I meant to say was: Yes, dear Heather I have a daughter who will be 15 in 5 months and I am 25 years old! You my dear friend should stop spending all that money on brown hair dye to cover up those greys and get what you really need....BLONDE hair dye!"

Told you I wouldn't forget Heather!

Need Help With Medication?

First I want to say sorry for not being around Monday and Tuesday. I came down w/ a nasty stomach virus and was certain I was dying! I have never in my life shit and puked at the same time until Monday morning at around 5 am. So there ya have it, the ugly truth of why I was gone.

Ok so in a response to my Sunday post about Bipolar someone asked how a person could get help w/ medicine that they can't afford and don't have insurance for. So me, being the person that I am went right to work because I know exactly how needed medicines can be, as well as how expensive they can be.

If you need help w/ any medication, and are not covered by an insurance that can help there are a few things I know you can do. 1. ask your Dr, see if they may have samples they can give you of that medication. 2. Needy Meds is a website w/ all medication and their numbers to contact if you need help w/ that medicine. It also lays out the guidelines for qualifying for that medication through the company. 3. PPA  is a program that Montel Williams has always talked about to help people w/ their medication. If you need a medicine but can't afford it, please don't hesitate to go look at these sites, apply and get the meds you need!

I hope this information was helpful. If you have any more questions, need any more help you can contact me at day2dayliving@gmail.com