Can't sleep
 

I just can't sleep... Even if i'm on meds for sleeping! I feel bad and lonely! I don't want to see anybody i don't want to face work people i don't want to eat i don't

I'm sorry you're feeling depressed and can't sleep :hug:
It may be time to make an appointment with your mental health provider to see if they can tweak your meds...

Not able to sleep
 

Sleep problems - whether too much or too little - is a good indicator that something is wrong. It may be that medications you are on need adjusting. It may indicate that there is an unresolved problem in your life. I know that when there is something major going on in my life it is hard to shut my mind off. I wish it were as easy as yelling "Shut Up!!" at it.

It may be simply the extra daylight of spring and you need strict darkness at night - like wearing the amber sunglasses but getting plenty of sunlight in the mornings (Tips).

But no matter what you do, be sure to do something. Let your doctor know this is happening!!!! Sleep is too important!

Sad
 

Hi mari, thanks for the reply! Actually i've been to see my doc today and she effectively change the meds. I should feel better but i'm not! My sis came with me and we had a big fight in front of the doc! She acused me of not eating not taking my meds correctly which is not totally false coz i've been given new responsibilities at my job and had to work a lot having less time for myself! It's not the fact that she said this which hurt me. It's the fact that she waited till we were in front of the doc! We could have discussed it together and find a way out! It hurt me so much that i started crying like a kid....IN FRONT OF THE DOC! I feel sometime that my own family don't understand me! In my country actually to suffer from bipolar illness is not very common! How did your family react when they came to know you suffer from bipolar illness?

Axelle,

It may seem uncommon to have bipolar disorder in your country, but it may be just under-diagnosed. Maybe because of social stigma.

My sister wasn't surprised when I was diagnosed. Others in the family were, but most of them weren't around to see my behavior as often, and they really had a poor understanding of BPD.
My father is bipolar, but has never been treated for it. He's an alcoholic.

It may be a good thing your doctor was able to hear from your sister and see how you act together. It's likely your sister was trying to help and protect you. You can always go to appointments alone if it's more comfortable for you.

Kay

hi axelle,
I am sory that you have to suffer with bipolar but at least there is a name for it and it is treatable.
I hope that you have a therapist.
Life is traumatic and you have had many losses. If you have had increased work this is a huge stressor which is terrible for us.
You may need to ask to have less work if possible until you are stabilized. I believe we all take mental health days when we need them.
I am sorry that you have been suicidal in the past.
I am glad that you reached out for help....
are you living alone? or with family?
we are here to listen . It is very important to be honest with yourself and your doctors. There are different meds but none are the magic bullet.
It takes alot of effort to juggle your life. HOw is your eating?
Are you taking care of yourself.
What new meds are you on?
I am sorry that you are having problems sleeping. THAT is a huge issue.
not sleeping can make you manic and you may not be sleeping because you are manic?????depression with irritable agitation can be a mixed mania.
talk to us.
we are listening to you.
bizi

My family seems to want to take control. If I'm having a bad time and they know about it, they feel out of control and want to take over. It sounds like that is what happened at your appointment. I can certainly understand why you would be upset with her. Sometimes my family has gotten angry with me and blamed me. It was hard for me to accept an illness that has a stigma attached to it. The first step for me was to accept that if I wanted to live a normal life, I would need good medical care. The second thing I did was to not hang around family much. As much as they love me and I love them, family for me can cause me to feel off balance. I have developed outside friendships and activities to sustain me. None of this happened in a short period of time. I had to figure this out over the years. One thing I won't allow is for my family to put me down with out calmly and assertively responding to something that puts me in a "role" that fits their idea of me. In this country a doctor appointment is a private thing and unless you want someone there, I would go alone. I will say this though, it's important to take medicine and if it isn't working for you and your doctor isn't responsive, get another doctor. I did this and it's wonderful to have a doctor that will listen and give you choices. Best of luck to you.