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Bi-polar disorder

ElluSenior Contributor09 Nov 2016, 5:55 pm AEDT

Bi-polar disorder

I have had bi-polar disorder since I was 15 (I an 63 now)and have lost whole years of my life to this illness. Nevertheless I have been lucky enough to have a career, a family (4 children in their 20's) and been able to enjoy some of the good things of life. The past two years I have been very ill, hospitalized for months, but now I am finally getting back on my feet and starting to feel happy and normal. I am terrified of the illness coming back. I am currently on medication, but what else can I do to ensure that I stay well and don't relapse? Does anyone have some good ideas or suggestions? What should I do/not do in order to stay well?

4 replies

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In response to: Bi-polar disorder

rogueoneSenior Contributor09 Nov 2016, 6:24 pm AEDT

Re: Bi-polar disorder

hey,

Keep on the medication.

I'm schizophrenic and in the same boat. I do well but I take my meds. Still. I don't work and struggle as I sleep 12 hours a day......still. You do well you can't change it!

Keep active with your treatment team. Be involved in your own health so if your struggling then you need to know your own symptom set. If certain things trigger you then aviod them....

IT's hard but doable.

Being involved in your own well being is most of the battle. Most shrinks are over worked and for them it's an art......being in charge of your own treatment certainly helps.

Paul. Rogueone.

In response to: Bi-polar disorder

KurraSenior Contributor09 Nov 2016, 9:23 pm AEDT

Re: Bi-polar disorder

Hi @Ellu

I am slightly older than you and showed signs of bipolar around the age of 5.
When my world gets rocky the first thing I do is request a medication review. The I look at what things I can do to help myself.

Work has proven to be invaluable for me because it has allowed me to maintain contact with other people and has also served as a distraction from my own negative talk and thoughts. I'm not sure if you are still working.

I always guard my sleep too even if at times I need to resort to medication to do so. I try to follow quite a strict schedule - getting up at the same time, eating at the same time etç. It has been a case of trial and error to establish the things that do work for me.
Give this a go and see if it works for you.

I'm happy to chat anytime if you think it will help. Hugzzz 💕 🎶

In response to: Re: Bi-polar disorder

ElluSenior Contributor10 Nov 2016, 6:56 am AEDT

Re: Bi-polar disorder

Dear Kurra,

Very sane advice. I do try to keep to a regular routine in life and get a normal amount of sleep, even if I have to take sleeping pills. I am lucky, I have had the same psychiatrist for 20 years. He has given me his mobile number, and when I am very sick he insists I ring him every day, even Saturday and Sunday. Of couse I try not to abuse this privilege. I have had some shocking periods in my life (haven't we all) but somehow he has managed to pull me through. I also try to socialize regularly with my friends to bring me "down to earth" and normalize my life. Lots of bads but also lots of goods in my life. I am now undertaking psychoanalysis and thoroughly recommend it.Have only been doing it a month so far but the results are alreadt remarkable. Especially relevant to older people who need to reflect on their lives and plan for what remains of the future.Greetings fellow traveller!

In response to: Re: Bi-polar disorder

ElluSenior Contributor10 Nov 2016, 7:07 am AEDT

Re: Bi-polar disorder

Dear Paul rogueone,

Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of going off my medication! I think over the years I have tried every anti-depressant and mood stabilizer known to man, plus a large selection of anti-psychotics. The current cocktail seems to be working,so I am sticking with it! As for sleep, a couple of months ago before I got well I was sleeping 12 hours a day too. I guess we just have to go with the flow, and try to live our lives around things which we can't change. As we get older we get better and more cunning about it! I have an excellent psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst, and we work together as a team. I was very lucky to get them - you never know who you are going to get when you are referred, but you are right, we have to take charge of our own treatment,.

I hope things are going well for you Paul - I met many people with schizophrenia while I was in hospital, and it seems to be a particularly horrible disorder. I am impressed with your insight and your positive attitude. Thanks for your support,

Ellu

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