Help.

Hi @Onceinawhile and welcome to the forums.
It can be tough to receive a diagnosis, but one way of looking at it could be that it helps to explain - and inform a plan to manage - a set of symptoms that you're currently experiencing.
Are you planning on seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist?

I've seen phycologists in the past and I haven't found one I feel comfortable with yet. I've actually been really unlucky with them and they weren't there to help. They were there for the money and haven't helped me at all. I suffer from insomnia sometimes and the response from one of them was 'Maybe you need to stay up later' Another phycologist just ignored my problems and started talking about their own. So you could say I'm starting to think they are all hopeless.

Hello @Onceinawhile

Sorry to hear you have not been able to find a psychologist that works for you, that sounds unhelpful if they were talking about themselves or giving you suggestions, were you wanting one that helps you to go through things more deeply? Sometimes a psychologist who uses Psychodynamic approaches might be something you are wanting? It might be worth a try, the best you can do is try a different psychologist and discuss ways you can start to feel more in control, it seems like control is a big issue in all of this especially with the food.

Food is a hard one because you can't go cold turkey you still need it to live but also need to resist at times, do you find you eat more or less when you are experiencing your manic symptoms?

And when you said doctor diagnosed you, do you mean a GP? It would be better if you received a diagnosis from a pscyhologist/psychiatrist as they have more knowledge of mental health symptoms, unless your gp is really involved or has a strong interest in mental health or something?

It sounds like it might be helpful to just focus on one thing at a time, to build that sense of control with small achievable tasks, this could be one thing a day or even a week that you can do that is helpful and ways you can look after yourself; such as going for a walk, or researching a psychologist. It seems like this week it is posting on the forums, which is great. Good on you for reaching out here 🙂

Lunar

Hi @Onceinawhile
welcome ot the forums, I'm really glad that you've come here. I dont have bipolar but sometimes my depression crashes so fast and its difficult. also suffer from insomnia chronically and havent found anything that really helps with that yet, though i was working really hard on having a regular sleep routine...
I'm sorry you havent found a good fit psychologist... i can tell you that they're not all like you've experienced. I have a psychologist who really does care and wants me to be ok one day and its really worth it to find someone like that.
I hope that like me you'll find some non-judgemental and welcoming support here. People do 'get it' here. there are some social areas that you might want to check out like the night shift thread or general chit chat i think it's called.
take care of you and i look forward to seeing you around!