Older you get??

Yes @DeeDee86 I have found it harder to

manage my bipolar since menopause. The biggest problem seems to be not sleeping as much. I’m battling on. I wish you good fortune managing your mental health.

Hey there @DeeDee86

Welcome to the forums, and I'm really glad that you've opened up tonight to talk about these mental health challenges you've been managing. It sounds like with age, you feel that you're understanding these issues more but not necessarily finding them easier to cope with. That's such a tricky spot to be in but I want to reassure you that understanding and awareness is the first step to recovery and learning those coping skills. At the same time, it's really normal to find it harder to cope as you age and you are not alone in that experience. There are many different factors that could contribute to that - usually as we age, we tend to accumulate more life stressors for example. I wonder what sort of advice or support you're looking to hear from others today? Those panic attacks and episodes sound really intense to cope with, so I wanted to share a resource in case you find it helpful: short-term help for panic attacks

If you're needing professional support tonight, I also would really like to encourage you to reach out to a helpline such as Lifeline.

Take gentle care tonight,

calicocats

Hey @DeeDee86

I have had more difficulty dealing with my mental health as I’ve gotten older. The years of suffering really add up and have become overwhelming. Overall, I do think things have improved though even though it mostly doesn’t feel easier. I wouldn’t say it’s all in your head. Your suffering is real. It’s great that you know more about yourself and your triggers. It’s all really helpful when trying to improve your mental state. Kudos to you. Have you notice any tricks to help you out when your struggling? I found meditation to make a world of difference, especially when it comes to anxiety and sleep.

Hello @DeeDee86.

For me my bipolar has worsened over the years. My episodes have followed periods when my physical health has struggled and I haven’t been able to spend time running, my meditation and relaxation. At the moment I’m just getting back to running and my mood to improving.

I have had more episodes of my bipolar as I have aged since menopause @callignee . They are not severe but still bad. And physically I’m very unfit. I’m hoping with time it will ease.

I absolutely agree with you @DeeDee86 and I do not think it is all in your heads. It’s real and maybe as we age we don’t have the same energy reserves to deal with our mental health.

I wish you well with your journey and welcome to the forums.

I’m sorry @GezzaP that menopause has triggered your bipolar episodes. How have you managed the episodes? Mine has resulted in increased antipsychotics a few times and recently antidepressants and time with a psychologist.

I have had occasional modifications of the dose of antipsychotic med @callignee . I can’t take antidepressants because I have

bipolar type 1 which means they make me manic. The most important factor for me is proper sleep. I have depressive episodes though. I just have to battle through them.

I am past menopause but feel the hormonal changes have caused more frequent episodes or maybe it’s just aging I don’t know.
I haven’t had a successful interaction with a psychologist and it’s so expensive even with the medicare rebate. I’m on a smallish super pension so there’s a limit on what I can afford.

When I’m 67 in some years I might be able to get s part pension and most importantly a pension card and the concessions that go with that. That would vastly improve my financial postion.

Maybe I need to find a more suitable psychologist meanwhile I rely on my psychiatrist and GP and manage as best I can.

Excuse the rant! Hope you are ok and are having a good day.

Thanks @GezzaP . Things are improving. Regular sleep is important for me also.

I can see how seeing a psychologist doesn’t always work. I’ve seen a couple over the years that didn’t help. My current one has helped with anxiety and depression but not so much with paranoid delusions. Maybe next time with my GP I’ll look for one that has experience supporting those with bipolar and psychosis. A better Medicare rebate would help too.

Have a good week.

@callignee I have cataract surgery on Thursday. Getting a bit nervous. Fasting and not smoking will be hard for me. Would be better if it was morning surgery. Yes agreed re psychologists.