Let`s talk about Bipolar

Hello @bipolarbunny

Good to see you here!

Wow I could relate to your post.

Mixed episodes are hell.

But so happy you've found the pdoc, tdoc and gp that work for you.

Me too. Makes a world of difference.

Will be thinking of you on Monday @bipolarbunny

So glad your tdoc is helpful @bipolarbunny and you're exercising regularly and keeping fit. That helps a lot. I've found in the past that gardening and walking are good, I even had a gym membership for a while and need to start moving more again. Increasing meds is a judgement call, I hope it works well for you. I'm also only on antipsychs for the bd atm and titrated down a little because of side effects.

Ģardening was soothing and grounding til neighbours mowed down my flowers which was very upsetting. There's not as much birdlife either since local redevelopments. Ì did some cbt goal setting a while back and I'm not ambitious, but having a walking or gardening buddy would be nice. If I were a computer I'd use the reset button and start again with a book club or piano lessons.

Good luck @bipolarbunny it sounds as though you're going well.

Dimity.

Hi @frog @Olga @Shaz51

Finding the right work-life balance is hard but so important to physical and mental well-being, not to mention lifestyle. I was happiest working a regular 3 or 4 days a week in a supportive team and with a sympathetic boss but all 3 didn't come together often in the course of my working life. I had 2 or 3 breaks between jobs when unwell. I tended to overcompensate by putting in unpaid overtime which was a bad idea, it's resented by workmates and gets you regarded a a poor time manager. Especially if while high you're sending emails in the middle of the night.

Ìf I can ever get myself motivated again I'd like to go back to some writing. Journalling or even going back to my unfinished thesis. My dad did a lot of writing in his retirement and managed to publish quite a few kids books by working slowly and steadily for a couple of hours per day.

I've heard a lot about sleep hygiene and it's not through lack of trying but my sleep cycle is phase shifted and it takes me hours to get to sleep, then I sleep til midday and the best part of the day is gone. I even sleep through alarms. People tell me I just need willpower but the dizziness and fatigue feel pretty real and debilitating.

@Dimity, I understand how it is when sleep becomes an issue. I used to have problems falling asleep but since I listen to something as I drift off( I use judge Judy, lol) it is better. Still waking several times each night. Occasionally I use an over the counter sleep drug, my psychiatrist says ok if not regularly, but I am not sure if you want to go there. I relate to sending e mails everywhere in the middle of night when manic. I did the same and had to leave Facebook as I embarrassed myself plus made enemies. It is a constant juggle...

@bipolarbunny, I wonder how you coped with the loss of your job as being a police officer. I used to be a registered nurse and absolutely loved my job. When I was admitted to a psych ward, a mandatory notification was made about the same, eventhough I didn't cause any damage at work as I took long service leave when I started to become unwell. After returning from an overseas stay for a few years I am trying to be re registered but need to prove that I am stable, taking meds and look after myself. End of April I will have to undergo an assessment organised by the registration board. I loved my job but not sure if I should even return to it if I am too crazy to be a good nurse. I am stable since 2017. I still grieve for what has been...