[peacelover]

When I was sixteen I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with a co-morbid diagnoses of borderline personality. I was treated with lithium and have succeeding in living a good life. Sure I had episodes here and there, but life was manageable. However it is re-surfacing now and I don't know what to do. I guess it seems that I am having mixed episodes because it's not extreme. My mania is not grandiose, I just have times where I feel like things are going well and I am truly okay. Moreso, I am having intense depression that includes crying spells, irritability, sadness, hopelessness, confusion. It is really starting to effect my life in a negative way and I don't know what to do anymore. I am 23 now, and have no health insurance. I have been exercising and trying to get enough sleep and eat but nothing seems to work. I don't know what to do.

[Mari]

Dear Peacelover,

Are you still on the lithium?

Do you have access to any medical care? County health or something like that.

It sounds like you need to reach out to the services in your area.

Mari

[houghchrst]

Your symptoms sound the same as mine though I am Bipolar II. Severe depression, bicthy, irritable, all of the above. Try the local mental health services in your area, they should be able to tell you where you can get help.

Good luck, stay with us and let us know how you do.

[bizi]

Who is prescribing your meds now?
your general doctor may be able to prescribe an anti depressant for you?
sorry that you are depressed.
keep posting, venting,,,we will lsten to you.
bizi

[peacelover]

I haven't been on lithium for years. Also, I am not insured anymore.

[peacelover]

I am not on any medication...haven't been. I had a great counseling center at my school that also prescribed medication, for a bit I took an anti-depressant. I was medicated from 15-18 on lithium with great results but I dont really want to be dependent on meds. I am just unhappy and feel very up and down and dont know where to turn.

[bizi]

WEll I am a firm believer in medications.
They work for most of us here.
There are many other things taht contribute to our over all happyness, diet, exercise, talk therapy to help deal with our past issues etc current behaviors healthy or not.....
yoga, meditation, freinds families,massage, hypnosis,accupunture etc.
what are you doing to help?
what makes you feel good?
bizi

[Dmom3005]

I too am a firm believer in meds.

I take mine for a different reason than many in this room. But I have
to say. I believe I get a lot of the same benefits from my cymbalta
that this room gets from their meds.

I believe in the thought that the brain had a chemical imbalance and
that to make it balanced sometimes you need a medicine. I'm personally
very grateful to the doctor who looked me in the eye. And asked me,
who was taking care of me.

I was taking care of all my kids, all the other things in my life. But I wasn't taking care of me. She felt I had a need to look at my life and see if
I too needed something to help me with my moods, sometimes depression
and sometimes just unhappiness with life. She probably will always be
one wise doctor.

Please go to a local Mental Health Clinic many have sliding scales for either
young people, low income or students.
I am not sure if you fit into one of these categories, but if not they can
usually find a way to help you anyway.


You are worth the trouble and time to go visit with them. Sometimes
they can be just what the doctor ordered. I know many who think they are the best friends they can have.

Donna

[Mari]

Dear Peacelover,

My brother probably has bipolar but has never been officially diagnosed.
He used to self-medicate with street drugs and booze.

Right now he is on a super duper exercise program and strict diet and sleep regime.


It is working for him it seems.

M.