Let`s talk about Bipolar

Hi @PolarOpposite hope you're having a good day. It's sometimes a bit hard to see who you're replying to so using the @ before their username makes it clear and also sends them an email notification that they've got a response.

It was great to see on your thread that you've been going well.

Hello @ClockFace @Strawberrypink come and meet some of the folk. Does anyone have tips for managing anxiety? @Shaz51 I think you suggested making a list of worries.

@PolarOpposite @Captain24 @pinklollipop15 @Olga @Appleblossom

Breathing exercises and walking help me. I'd love to get carried away by a hobby . Music is good.

Thanks for the tag @Dimity.

Im currently suffering through a severe anxiety episode myself @ClockFace.

Im trying breathing exercises and walking as @Dimity has suggested.

I do diamond art so I’ve been doing a lot of that with music on. I’ve been dancing around the lounge room and doing star jumps. Also I’ve been trying a lot of mindfulness. I’ll have a hot shower and focus on the hot water hitting my body while breathing through it. A hot drink and focus on smelling it, tasting it, the feel of the mug in my hands and the feel of the warmth as I sip it.

I’ll also lay in the sun for while and focus on my breathing while I try and relax. Last night was really tough for me so I laid outside in the dark and focused on the chill in the air and the beauty of the star.

I don’t know if any of this helps but it’s what I’m trying. Looking forward to see if others have more tips.

@Captain24

that all sounds great. But you're not sure it's helping... so, essentially you're attempting to fake it til you make it?

Sometimes I feel better when I can be of help to others in some small way. Might be complimenting a stranger. Or giving flowers to the Dr surgery...

It ain't no cure for my stuff going on. Just a nice little reprieve sometimes.

Sorry you're going through this rough patch @Captain24 . Me too, there's been a series of crises - external events I've had to take action on but I've been highly reactive. My anxiety levels are through the roof. I've spoken to my pdoc so I'm now navigating increased meds which I hate vs other ways of coping. I'll try your mindfulness - sounds good.

Take care.

I’m sorry you’re feeling it too @Dimity. The Pdoc gave me prn to try and settle it too and increased 2 of my meds as well.

I hope the mindfulness helps you. I’m one of those people that will try even the weirdest of suggestions in case it helps! Lol

@Captain24 @Shaz51 @Dimity @Kyle1 @PolarOpposite

Bipolar 1 or 2 are nasty beasts. I get the added bonus of psychotic features.

I find sound be it music or TV amazing at giving me some respite. TV especially, I have a tablet dedicated to streaming that is on fulltime when I am at the other on SANE etc. Music when Im driving and trying to sleep. Ive got multiple speakers, a set of headphones with a 30hr battery. I go very short periods of time without some form of sound.

I used to drink brewed coffee and a lot of it, I stopped, I still drink caffine but not as much and I think that made a difference.

Keeping positively occupied, I mean you need rest but when you cant rest do something positive. SANE forum is great for me, I might not be writing 100% positive things but the act is positive.

Be in nature, Im fortunate I live on 3 acres. There is lots of trees, birds and of course our animals. I have to smoke outside so I get a bit of time there.

Help others, even if its just replying on SANE, its amazing to help others when you're hurting

Routines, Im a huge fan of routines. If you cant have many at least have a morning and bedtime routine. It will help you start the day well putting your mind in place to start the day and the same at night, it will cause your mind to start winding down and preparing for sleep. It takes time to build the routine, get into it regularly and ofcourse see the wake and sleep benefits but its worthwhile.

Talk, tell people you trust that your in a bad place. They probably wont have an answer and thats ok. But sharing where your at helps. SANE again is also a great resource for this, the Drop in service shouldnt be underestimated.

Those are all good tips @ClockFace so thanks. I'm working on getting more routines happening. They went out the window last week but hopefully I'll get back to them.

Talking to people about what's happening is a new one for me but making a difference. I don't really see people IRL so it's mostly online or messaging.

I have a good CD collection and there's always radio or streaming.

@Dimity

Yeah its kinda new for me to, Im an online person as well. I have one friend IRL who I have been friends with since childhood. We see each other 2 or 3 times a year. That is pretty much enough for me. I have my family (I live with them) but to be honest I miss living alone. Id take a holiday from work, shut the front door and see no one for as much of it as possible.

Im trying to get back into my routines, events are making it hard but Im determined to do so.

My Dad has family spotify so Im on that and I have basically every streaming service worth having so Im never out of things to watch. Im very tech orientated, used to own an IT business. Multiple tablets and my phone all connected to a multi channel keyboard so I can type on each tablet/phone at a click of a button.

That all means that I can just move from area to area with sound the whole time. Literally the moment sound stops thoughts start and I can only handle it for a very short period. I really struggle with my thoughts, I mean 1/2 the time they are incoherant but going faster than I can manage to process the rest of the time they are just unpleasant and bad. Occassionally they are coherant and useful but its rare and most of the time lately its going towards supporting my sister, by then its back to the same old track of BS at 10mile