Topic Tuesday // World Bipolar Day with Bipolar Australia // Tues 29th March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Here is some more information about this question (there's a lot to it!)
Question 4: What are some of the treatment options available that people living with Bipolar may access to support their recovery? @cloudcore

There is also electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is often prescribed as a treatment when other treatments have failed. ECT is a very safe and effective treatment.

Learn more about this life saving procedure from people who have been through it and has had a positive impact in their lives

Video: https://youtu.be/HEot7ow3yfk

Psychological Interventions can be helpful in the management of bipolar disorder and in the management of other co-occurring symptoms such as anxiety.

Some intervention include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy (ISRT), Family Focused Therapy (FFT), Psychoeducation.

Psychological interventions are usually administered by clinical psychologists, however other mental health care practitioners, such as clinical social workers, may also deliver psychological interventions who have training in these approaches.

Peer support can also help with the recovery process by fostering social inclusion and connectedness, establishing hope and optimism about recovery and reducing the impacts of stigma about the illness.

Recovery is unique to every person, and there are lots of options available. It can take time to find what works for you, but don’t give up.

Thank you for sharing @HungryHippo .

Sometimes, it is hard to see the positives when things are so tough. From my own mental health experience, seeing positives during the most difficult times was close to impossible.

However, in hindsight, as you have pointed out, there are many strengths to be celebrated. For me, looking back, I've become a much 'better' person having had a mental health condition. For you, perhaps it's about setting boundaries when reaching out to support others?

All the best,

tyme

Question 5: What are the self-management or whole-of-wellbeing activities you can add to your recovery plan? @Moodwisehub @SusanaBA

I've been receiving TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) of the brain in hospital over the last 7 years and have finally found a clarity of mind and a settling of my anxiety

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@Delicatessen wrote:
Does everyone with bipolar get hallucinations? How common is it and how can it be overcome or managed? It’s embarrassing and makes me feel like I’m mad (pardon the pun).

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@Delicatessen Thank you for reaching out and asking this important question, I can imagine sitting with feelings of embarrassment must be really hard- you are not alone in what you are experiencing. It is possible for people with bipolar to have psychosis or hallucinations. At the moment, I don't have the stats about how common it is, but it might be a good question for your doctor. Do you have a support network who can help you explore coping with hallucinations?

I am not getting any new threads in anymore. So I say good bye now. It was nice to be with you all and hear from you

Setting boundaries is a huge problem for me and something that I am working on. I need to be able to get over the feeling of guilt I get when I say no.

@Delicatessen , in following tonight's conversation, I think a key take away is that when things are not so right, it is the illness, and not the person. For you, 'having found a new normal' sounds incredible.