Bi Polar 11

Hello @Charlie29

Welcome to the SANE forums. We are glad you're here with us.

Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly. I'm sorry to read you are having such a hard time at the moment. It is so good that you are reaching out for support and expressing how you feel. I know that's not easy to do.

I'm sure there will be others in this beautiful community who will identify and likely jump in to support you. This is an awesome community of supportive people who share their struggles, experiences, coping strategies and more.

You might like to check out this thread and introduce yourself https://saneforums.org/t5/Welcome-and-getting-started/Welcome-Introduce-yourself-here/m-p/1149480

I'll share some number below in case you feel like having a chat with someone.

You're not alone ok?

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Listenwell 1300 111 500

Sending you all my best this afternoon.

Hang in there Charlie..I hope the clouds lift for you soon.

hopeful_hannah 🙂

Hello @Charlie29 and welcome. I have a bipolar diagnosis. Yes it's hard to cope with the lows. I find mixed states the worst.

I guess I accept it and persevere, using mindfulness when I can to stay with any activities I'm doing and try to avoid negative and dark thoughts. I find using a mood and activity tracker app very helpful to see my ups and downs and see what activities actually lift my mood. I can also set goals and use my lists of activities as a reminder. I downloaded a free version of Daylio several years ago. I think it might be called Daylio Journal now. I can journal with each entry.

I also find trying to go for a walk every day and eating healthy help. Trying to get into a good sleep routine is a work in progress. Not sleeping well is a red flag for me. I'm glad you can find peace when you're asleep. I hope you can rediscover it when you're awake.

Working can be challenging when we're low. I no longer work.

Having a fur baby or two can help a lot. Unfortunately my cat is very old now.

There are quite a few bipolar folk on the forums, I hope more people respond and introduce themselves.

Hi @Charlie29

Welcome to the big bipolar family. I have been diagnosed for 14 years or more.

However it probably hasn't been properly managed up to a few months ago.

You aren't alone and even though it feels horrible, it will pass and you will be ok. I know its tough but you'll get through this!

Thank you for your encouragement it’s makes such a difference

Hey @Charlie29 ,

I'm hearing you. I'm sorry that mental health has impacted you conncection with those around you.

It sounds incredibly difficult.

I'm glad @Dimity @Anonymouse1000 have shared their experiences. It's not easy at all.

Yet their experiences share hope that bipolar CAN be managed.

Do you have nay idea what your next step may look like?

Hi @Charlie29 so sorry to hear how rough things are feeling.

I don't know that either bipolar diagnosis is the 'worse' of the two, I've heard a mixture of experiences - such as there being a higher chance for psychosis with the mania in bipolar 1, which can result in risk-taking behaviours, and severe impacts on things like relationships, identity, or even finances. That's not to say that coping with bipolar 2 is 'easy' in comparison - like you say, long periods of depression can lead to higher risk of suicidal thoughts, and similarly can have impacts on relationships and sense of self as well. We all have our own journey 💜

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so alone in your struggles. I promise you that there are many here who can probably relate to that feeling too. I'm really glad to see you reaching out here, I mean this community is pretty active and there's always someone floating around to connect to! Please do feel free to poke about in our Social Spaces if you'd like to find some folks to chat to - most of our members are just a tag away (learn more about tagging and other forum how-to's here) 😊

@Charlie29

Bipolar Type 2 is more characterised by more depressive episodes, hypomania, without the Bipolar Type 1 mania, then you can also be a rapid cycler, which is 4 or more depressive cycles in a year.

In my experience, I'm type 2 and my cycles happen each year to within weeks.They establish themselves in the same way, with the same somatic symptoms sometimes irrespective of outside stressors.

Once dug in they may last for weeks or months. Usually not more than a month though.

Medication can help, good sleep hygeine eating well, exercising, socialising, and good mental habits. #imreallybadatallofthose.

I hope this helps.