Dating/Married to Someone who has Bipolar?

Hypomanic, addicted to caffeine now, what's next?

2009-05-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, my dear friends!
For the last 4 days i was not writing, working so hard, and developed a new thing - caffeine through coffee, diet cokes, energy drinks, sugar, etc.
So, my topic is, what do we do when we hate our meds' effect and try to do anything to feel hypomanic. As I saw in the poll, handling depression is very hard, it's easier when you and your partner is full of joy. Not manic and not depressed, but a functioning hypomanic.
I love this feeling. It has been a vicious cycle for me: hard drugs, sober, extreme exercising, prescription pills, food, planning/scheduling, puking, drinking wine, traveling, shopping, taking pictures, I can even obsess over the Internet, now it's Mafia Wars on tagged and caffeine. it never ends. It only takes another form. Even a healthy thing like exercise becomes an obsession. Each "thing" lasts from a couple days to months until i get bored with it and wait to find something new. I heard the same from my clients who have Dual diagnosis with Bipolar and Addiction. Anyone wants to share their vicious cycles,l or give me an advice or support?

So, daily life? How is that going?

2009-05-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well I had a hectic, so much work, Sunday. But seemed to work out, finished almost everything I had to do. But had to leave school early today after turning in all my work, had this horrible stomach pain, and felt dizzy. I have a big Tuesday coming up. A lot of clients, an itake, group meetings. pretty much there from 8am to 8pm. I wish that this blog would be a blog, and not just my diary, so join please, share. It's as important for me to vent as to hear others.

How is your day going?

Books, articles you recommend

2009-05-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Mine has to be "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison

It's written with bare truth of having Bipolar I by a great psychiatrist who has Bipolar I

Medications: Share, Give Advice, Ask Questions

2009-05-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

So, let's talk meds!
anticonvulsant mood stabiliziers:

Tegretol
Trileptal
Depakote
Neurontin
Lamictal
Topamax

antidepressant medications:

Prozac
Zoloft
Paxil
Luvox
Celexa
Lexapro
Wellbutrin
Effexor
Serzone
Tofranil
Elavil
Nardil
Parnate
Cymbalta

antipsychotic medications:

Thorazine
Haldol
Clozaril
Seroquel
Zyprexa
Risperdal
Abilify
Geodon

antianxiety/anxiolytic medications

BuSpar - General Anxiety Disorder

Benzos: Valium, Librium, Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin - stress-related anxiety

Ambien, Desyrel, Restoril, Halcion - stress-related initial insomnia

Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin - Panic Disorder

Inderal - Social Phobia

Anafranil - OCD

Inderal - PTSD

So, my experience of meds goes like this: Lithium did not work, I felt too numb, had many side effects even on the smallest dose, had feelings and thoughts that could not express - Discontinued

Trileptal - no side effects, works fine, I never notice its effect though

Geodon - such a small dose so no side effects, I don't even know why I'm still taking it

Ativan - addictive but works as a charm, however, when I honestly thought, what would be hard for me to give up, it was this benzo...

Seroquel - side effects come and go but you know what, keeps me pretty stable, though I lower and increase doses

What's your story? :)

What do you do when you feel blue?

2009-05-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here is the opportunity to share with others personal tricks as simple as they can be when things are not going well either with you or your loved one.
My personal weapon is organize my room, make a plan, a schedule for a week so it feels like my life is more manageable, also
a good movie can distract you for awhile or a cool crime show, they certaily seem to have more problems there:)
When it's sunny, it seems to do its trick on its own. I don't know what it's about sun that makes me feel better but all the therapists who do CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) seem to recommend it.
I also like to communicate with others online, on the phone, write postcards, and
of course buying myself something nice (for me, earrings are the best), or getting nails done, basically, treating myself.
And, of course, helping others in any way I can. What is your thing?

PhD Research Study

2009-05-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Spouses/Partners of People with Bipolar Disorder are Needed Help further our understanding of the relationship experiences of spouses/partners of people with bipolar disorder.
***
Has your spouse/partner been diagnosed with BIPOLAR DISORDER by a licensed mental health worker?
***
Have you been living together for at least 6 months?
***
Are you at least 18 years of age?
***
A student in the Ph. D. program in clinical psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, San Francisco, is seeking volunteers to answer brief research questionnaires about your relationship experiences Participation is voluntary and confidential. You may complete questionnaires online at http://psyresearch.org/bipolar and enter this password bipolar3 or you can always email me at bipolarstudy17@gmail.com to request a packet sent to your postal address.

What not to say when someone is depressed!

2009-05-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

From my own experience and many others that's what I learned. Add to the list, let's make it bigger!

1. Pull yourself together.
2. No one ever said life was fair.
3. You've got so much going for you. What do you have to be depressed about?
4. Everything will be alright.
5. It could be worse.
6. At least it's nothing serious.
7. You're not going to do anything stupid are you?
8. This too shall pass.
9. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself, there are others much worse off than you.
10. You think YOU'VE got problems... let me tell you what's going on with me!
11. Chill! Don't take things so personally.
12. Well, everybody gets depressed sometimes.
13. It's time for you pick yourself up and get going again.
14. You don't need medicine, just exercise and get enough sleep.
15. Happiness is a choice.
16. What's wrong with you?
17. Why do you always do that?
18. Oh, not again!

How are you dealing with Stigma?

2009-05-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

It's harsh outthere in the world when someone hears "Bipolar," so do you share or keep quiet? Do you say you have Bipolar or do you say that your loved one has it? I think both are hard to spit out. And questions arise like, "Why should we?," "Why not?," "What will happen?," and many others.

Just letting you know, be cautious. Though even psychologists, who are your colleagues, or students to be someday psychologists, all have stigma. Try to think of it as hurting your leg. What would happen if you step on it. It will hurt but you also need to get to work. So, what do you choose?