Best products from r/BipolarReddit

tl;dr: I'm a librarian. I'm wordy.


(Diagnosis note: I'm BP1, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, general anxiety disorder, and severe depression.


I'm with you 100%.


I was diagnosed when I was 17 and I was on and off drugs for years. I was near suicidal numerous times as nothing seemed to be work since I metabolize drugs so quickly and no combo seemed to work. I was a mess. The last time I was on meds, the psychiatrist threw everything at me to handle the mood AND adhd AND depression at the same time. I was so out of it at one point, I chased my husband around with a butcher knife one night.

The six worse months of my life.

Then in 2014 where I had a prolonged manic episode where I left my husband, didn't renew my work contract, burned $40K in credit cards, and moved across the US numerous times in less than six months. (Tbh, I'm annoyed with myself I didn't go to Europe or do great travel.) After crashing, I found a doc on ZocDoc who prescribed me Lamictal, Abilify, and Klonopin. She worked out of a messy room in a house turned into businesses where for $300 a visit, she would give you drugs, no question asked. I didn't even fill out paperwork.


The combo seemed to work and things started to stabilize and I found a doctor who wasn't so shady. I reconciled with my husband, the saint that he is, with the condition that I stay on my meds and get therapy. He was not going to go through all of that again. I don't blame him.

I've had a few rocky starts with therapists. One of the last ones wanted cash only and once asked me to take her to a conference in another city, and then stick around during said conference, and bring her home. She would give me a few therapy sessions in exchange. I fired her.

I'm glossing over a lot but I wanted to tell you, you're not alone. I have considered ECT because I was just tired of dealing with it all. Fighting for your life is painful and hard work, but you're worth fighting for. I've been stable for a few years now, relationship with my husband is good as well as with friends and family, and I've been in a great job since February.

I'm going to piggyback on many of the suggestions to find a therapist. Keep in mind that they work for you. But give it a few sessions before you make a decision. Many list their specialty on their website. You might even venture onto ZocDoc to find a local one if you get in a crisis. I know I found a quack but I know many people who've found wonderful providers through it. If you can't find one you're comfortable with or local, try talkspace.com. I've had a few friends who've used it and found it to be really helpful. They cost $70 or so a week which seems expensive but then I pay $90 a week for my therapist so maybe not but they are online. (I know she's cheaper than most local ones but she's really good.)


Support groups can also be useful. I was in one for DBT. There is also Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (https://www.dbsalliance.org/) who have support groups all over the country. Local DBSA groups have websites for info, others are on Facebook, and yet others are on meetup.com. These are free and peer lead. They only ask for a dollar or two for support since they are self-sustaining. The one I went to meets up for coffee after the meeting. I will warn you that it MAY be triggering.

DBT and CBT are slightly different but they both heavily use mindfulness which if you're prone to massive anxiety attacks and racing thoughts, can work wonders. I have found meditating can also help if I do it regularly. I really like Headspace, which is a pay app, but there are a lot of free ones available. Our couple's therapist recommended Mindfulness for Bipolar which I haven't really gotten through yet but plan to. My therapist and I are laying out a plan for me to work on interpersonal issues that stem back years to help me move forward.

If you don't mind snail mail from internet strangers, I have a few DBT books I can send you for free. I kept buying them when I kept moving and things finally settled down, found I had bought four or five. I can't possibly go through all of them but if you want one, I'm more than happy to send it to you.

I've recently gotten more active in this sub and I've found it super helpful to read stories from others going through what I'm going through and interacting with these strangers, even anonymously. A lot of my friends are bipolar so we kvetch but knowing people outside my circle is a wonderful reminder I'm not alone. I've seen nothing but compassion and empathy for people here so I try to pass it on to others. Good luck. We're always here.


*I'm a librarian. If i'm not explaining things in great detail and giving you sources, I've failed at my job.
** I do not get any kickbacks for any of my recommendations, even Amazon links. It's stuff I've used and found helpful or I know people who have used it and found it helpful. You may have heard about some of these things before but it doesn't help to have second recommendations.

Just a few things that come to mind:

Self-Awareness> There are a lot of ways to work on this and most of them are worth trying. An effective goal might be to find some things that work for awhile, and prepare yourself to seek out other options when those don’t offer the same effectiveness. I’m pretty sure that when we dedicate the time to it, we provide ourselves with information that empowers us to make the decisions that bring about our idea of success.

Expectations> Most of us don’t want to fail. A lot of us feel like if we don’t meet the expectations that we’ve set for ourselves then we’re failures. This often causes some of us to avoid things that we feel we won’t “succeed” at. Hey, I’m not saying we shouldn’t set high goals for ourselves... but when we don't meet our expectations, maybe we could slowly get better at treating ourselves with the kind of love and encouragement that we would extend to our most loved of loved ones when they "fail."

Exercise> God damn it I hate exercise. I wore a button in fifth grade that said: I’m too out of shape to exercise. I’m thirty-nine now and I’ve still never had a consistent workout regimen. For a lot of us, this shit is probably harder than everything else we’ll consider in this thread. But there’s plenty of evidence to show that when the rest of our body is functioning at a more optimal level that we have more tools to work with, and that our tools are more effective. I hate exercise.

Group Discussion> Last year I attended an intensive outpatient group therapy program. This was my first experience with group therapy and I freaking love that shit. I learned that the gems to mine from this experience have very little to do with whoever is leading the group or which organization is providing the facility... as long as you feel like everyone is given the opportunity to share without reproach. Empathy is what it’s all about. The more courageous you are about sharing your struggles, the more empowered your fellow group members will be to do the same. When empathy is flowing freely most people are able to recognize some of their own cognitive distortions, AND help others find their own. Not every group is going to function well, but I think it’s well worth the effort to find on that does. You might start with looking into a DBSA group near you. My advice would be to look for one with 10-15 attendees. If you've got insurance that will cover it, you might check into an Intensive Outpatient Group Therapy program offered by a local hospital.

Books> These are just a few that have offered me some help—and a few that I just acquired but haven’t read yet.

Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength

Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain

Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy



Also, this is me patting you on the back lovingly and then turning it into a hug:



Did you feel it?



Disclaimer: I’m currently doing pretty poorly at all of these things.

I can't answer all your questions, but I just want to second what /u/bluntlybipolar wrote and add a little more encouragement. As they said, it's totally normal to feel the way you feel, and if you didn't, I would probably be more worried about you.

I'm a huge fan of this book. It's simple, straightforward, and written in very short question/answer sections, so you can pick it up and put it down. If you're younger, this version may be more helpful.

Getting a mood tracking app is also a pretty good self-care starting place. Filling it out can help you learn to develop the habit of paying attention to how you're feeling. I know that Daylio is pretty popular on this subreddit, but I prefer the T2 Mood Tracker because I find I'm more honest when I have to fill out lots of sliders. I'm also a little paranoid and like that they don't save my information on their servers.

You will probably make mistakes and have setbacks, but that's okay, because it's part of the learning process. Everybody on this subreddit has made them and most of us will be happy to give you support and the benefit of our experience.

I also want to say that, although having a mood disorder really sucks, this is probably the best time in human history to have one. We have a lot more effective medications now, and there are many to choose from, so if something doesn't work for you, you and your doctor can keep trying new things. The internet also gives you access to more information and to people like you, who know what you're going through.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that what I've said can be helpful for you.

Springtime and to a lesser extent fall are especially tricky times for people with Bipolar.
Has she signed releases so you can talk freely with her caregivers about your concerns? It helps to form an alliance with them and develop a crisis plan in advance. I would push her Doctors to discuss a broader range of options. If you doubt them, I would ask for a medication second opinion referral. In most regions there are Doctors who are known to be specialist in different illnesses. You might have to pay out of pocket for this but it may bring some peace of mind that you have educated yourself on all options.

Most of all I recommend joining local support groups for these two organizations.
[National Alliance for Mental Illness]
(http://www.nami.org/) for friends and family

For people with mood disorders I recommend:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

I live in New England and both organizations are very helpful in providing emotional support and ideas for how to cope. Best of all they are free so your Insurance company can not limit access.

The best books I have read on management of Bipolar are: [The Bipolar Workbook]
(http://www.amazon.com/The-Bipolar-Workbook-Controlling-Swings/dp/1593851626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333669671&sr=1-1) by Monica Ramirez Basco

and with more of a emphasis on relationships:[Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide] (http://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-Disorder-Survival-Second-Edition/dp/1606235427/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333669671&sr=1-3) by David J. Miklowitz PhD

I would suggest using the library to make sure they are a good fit.

One last resource I recently ran across recently, is a hour plus lecture on relating and understanding someone with Bipolar. I have not read Dr. Jay Carter's books yet but I did find this video helpful to understand how sometimes very good, loving, solid people can act really irrational when manic, mixed or depressed. There is some dance elements that I found cheesy but hey, its free to view!
[Bipolar Insights with Dr. Jay]
(http://bipolarlight.com/index2.html)

Good Luck and take care of yourself!

A bit of hard cardio and/or some weights would be helpful to mix in, but 3-4mi of walking is a really good foundation. As an experiment try focusing on the sensations from the soles of your feet and also on your breathing, either at the nostrils or chest/belly as you walk. Each time you discover that you attention has wandered off to something else, nudge it back to your focus on the next breath. [that's a simple form of mindfulness meditation called mindful walking.] Sounds like you've picked up the gist of this.

I keep recommending it, but here is the excellent book that help me a great deal: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Way-through-Depression/dp/1593851286 The really neat thing is I rapidly recovered all the time I spent meditating and more through reduced need for sleep (no, not manic) and overall efficiency.

Meditation is a good tool to help us notice when our affect is going off kilter.

If you can keep a daily journal that might be more helpful than a checklist. Writing engages thinking which helps us arrive at awareness and knowledge. That technique should help you spot wandering off course well before you smack into a tree or over a cliff :-)

I've been having problems with depression for the past few months as well. Leaving the bed for the first time in 4-5 days today! Im so sick and tired of being sick and tired. It pisses me off so much to have this bullshit steal more than half of my life away. I'm sorry that you're feeling stuck in depression as well.

​

throughout the years of being a psychiatric patient and a patient of a psychologist, I've realized that at least in myself, medication isn't usually a cure-all and can only serve for me as a really useful crutch. If I compare myself to a broken vehicle, medication is a critical replacement part added to the dysfunctional engine, but I am still the pilot of the vehicle. It wont drive unless I sit in the pilot seat and try to do something, which has become easier thanks to an engine replacement.

​

I'm not trying to say that medication is unreliable, thats not true. Or that you can cure this illness with non-medical practices. That's not true at all. But something that helps improve my daily mood aside from medication is by self-influencing my brain and mood through experience dependent neuroplasticity. It's a true science that shows that things like exercise and meditation can train your brain to more easily be more happy on average. Force yourself to smile for 30 seconds and see how it affects you. Things like at the end of your day, think of all the bad things that didnt happen that could have happened. Remember to smile at the birds and the good weather and the clouds, remember to be happy with the little things in life!

​

This isn't discrediting your struggle, im not trying to imply that. Nor am i implying that the things that I am recommending cure any symptoms or replace any medication, they dont influence symptoms of bipolar disorder, they only slightly improve your mood. I'm just saying that if you can muster the strength to try and meditate, or go for a walk, these physical things can influence your mood which over time can make your psychiatric dysfunctions more easy to deal with from time to time.

​

I'd be dead by now if it were not for exercise. I need to get back into meditation. When i exercise I get those feel good chemicals or whatever and It burns off energy which allows me to sleep at night.

​

Here's some books about mindfulness that have helped me (an example of experience dependent neuroplasticity):

https://www.amazon.com/Hardwiring-Happiness-Science-Contentment-Confidence/dp/0385347332/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538822946&sr=8-1&keywords=hardwiring+happiness%2C+rick+hanson

https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Eight-Week-Finding-Peace-Frantic/dp/1609618955/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538822965&sr=8-3&keywords=mindfulness

https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Mindfulness-Practical-Tessa-Watt/dp/1848312555/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538823015&sr=8-1&keywords=mindfulness+a+practical+guide+tessa+watt

​

hope this helped man. good luck

The beautiful, and scary thing about life is everything is constantly changing.

I'm right there with you about feel bored, tired, disinterested, etc. I've struggled with similar feelings most of my life.

I also have IBS, and get migraine like headaches (although mine are from TMJ issues).

College is bullshit, lesson learned. So now what are you going to do about it?

Since IBS is correlated with mental health thats probably the first place to start. Most IBS is caused by dysbiosis, essentially either from a pathogen, or bacterial imbalance in the gut. In my case I had SIBO which was caused by Candida which grew as a result of antibiotic use and consuming too much sugar.

I eventually went on a Specific Carbohydrate diet (http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info), and switched to all organic foods, and stopped eating out and learned how to cook. I'm still on this diet, and feeling so much better. It takes a long time to work, but when it does, its amazing. Restored my ability to digest fats and fibers properly using this diet, and reduced my symptoms by 90% after a year of the diet. Perhaps something to talk to a nutritionalist or naturopath about?

Improving your diet should improve your depression, moods, and energy levels as well.

Another thing to look into is meditation. It is an incredibly powerful tool to help you manage your moods, boredom, etc.

Here's a place to start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A4w3W94ygA
https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Way-Through-Depression-Unhappiness/dp/1593851286?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

I use the app Headspace as well on a daily basis.

Start with meditation, improve your diet, and perhaps start a mood journal or use a mood tracking app so you can see the impact meditation and eating better has on your life. There's nothing more convincing then data from yourself to continue to motivate yourself to keep doing something.

Use your time more effectively to better yourself, study things on your own, you don't need a degree or to be in college to teach yourself new things. Let go of the past, and work towards a new you.

It's okay to feel worse right after if you've been discussing things that are difficult to talk or think about, but it shouldn't be your therapist making you feel bad. They should be able to help you identify goals! It's not your job to know how to do all of this, it's their job! It's okay to look for a new one. You're not giving up, you're strategizing.

In the mean time I love love love do it yourself DBT. I love this book. But I think any of the online (free) programs or books can help. Honestly for me the best thing is just being able to name the problems I have and being able to identify ways to work on them. Like oh, this is [common thing], I need [DBT skill]. I like when my therapist can help me name the problems I have. I think of worse case possibilities a lot. Just naming it helps, because it means I'm not the only one with that problem!

Yeah, I wouldn't try light therapy without a psychiatrists help and guidance. But, for me, it's really easy to control mania with seroquel. I use the light for only 10 minutes and only when I'm feeling depressed. If I start to feel mania symptoms it's easy to stop the light. Much easier than it is to stop an anti-depressant, which can also cause mania and takes weeks to get out of your system.

The entire contents of the book are online but it's MUCH easier to read it in book form. Here is the website: http://www.psycheducation.org/index.html

I'm not as well versed in treatments for schizoaffective disorder so I probably can't help much but, there are those who feel that bipolar and schizoaffective are merely points on a spectrum. For me, getting the mania (which can mimic SD) under control was the biggest help. There were times that I had agitated depression or mixed states that were made worse by antidepressants but responded really well to an anti-psychotic so if your doc is trying the antidepressant route and it's not working it may be time to try a different approach.

I guess my advice is to make sure to read some of the better books [Ellen Frank's Treating Bipolar Disorder] (http://www.amazon.com/Treating-Bipolar-Disorder-Clinicians-Interpersonal/dp/159385465X) and [The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Bipolar-Disorder-Survival-Guide/dp/1572305258) and making sure your doc is following those guidelines. Also a course in DBT was super valuable for me. It gave me some coping strategies that got me through the worst of it till we could get my symptoms under control.

So many docs don't pay enough attention to research and make decisions on how to treat based on their patients experience which sounds good in theory but in reality patients are unreliable sources of information. They're biased and subject to the placebo effect and event he best doctors aren't very good at sifting the valid evidence from the invalid that way.

Find someone who is evidence based. I really wish you the best of luck and please message me if you need someone to listen. I've been there and I'm proof that it can get better.

You took the first step posting here. On behalf of your hubby...thank you.

They may not have told you this, but here's the facts: SSRIs, like Prozac, can and very often will induce mania in bipolar individuals if not balanced against a mood stabilizer like depakote, lithium, etc. This almost certainly contributed to your husband's mental state.

I very, very strongly recommend buying The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide. This gave me so much footing to stay grounded on when I was diagnosed in November. It has information about bipolar, triggers to mood states, coping strategies, mood tracking/managing strategies, a section devoted to how to support your bipolar loved one as a family member or friend, seriously. Buy this book as soon as possible. The author has years of experience working with bipolar individuals and brings that in full force to the book.

Lastly, post here. Talk to us about what's happening, questions, frustrations. This subreddit isn't just for bipeeps, it's also for their loved ones. Have a seat at the table. You and your family have taken the first step towards stability and getting your husband the help he needs.

Drugs will help with all those and it sounds like you know you need to take them.

Your parents are going to need to educate themselves. I always recommend Stephen Fry's BBC documentary on bipolar. His diagnosis process is filmed as part of it, so they can see what that's like - "they just ask a bunch of questions" - and why it can take only an hour. There's a section on childhood and adolescent bipolar that might be helpful. One caveat. Fry decides not to take his meds at the end of it, something he has changed his mind about after another suicide attempt. It's free on youtube. Part 1 and Part 2

Kaiser recommends The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide which would be good for you and them to read. Meds are essential to treating bipolar, but there's other stuff you should be doing as well - mood tracking, planning ahead to deal with episodes, CBT...

You might want to see if there are any friends and family DBSA groups in your area they could go to. (Or a DBSA peer group for yourself) You can look that up here. Good luck.

Hey, way to go! You should be really proud of your efforts!!!

I quit smoking weed 3 weeks ago and stopped cigarettes 4 days ago. I was abusing other substances too - but quit that 6 years ago...or so. I have been smoking weed (hash) every day - all day - for 8 years. I have smoked cigarettes since I was 12 - and I am now 38.

I can relate to the feelings you have. I have been through periods where I thought my best friends would kill me, that my girl hated me, that my parents couldn't care less - but I have put that in the bipolar bag - and not in any other bag. I use a nicotine substitute called Snus (almost like chewing tobacco) so I am not off the nicotine yet - but I am proud that I have quit smoking.

I do believe quitting any substance can trigger a mania - or atleast make your brain race. I think it will pass like all our periods do.

What is more important here is your girlfriend. She need's to be educated. Seriously! Have you showed her the Stephen Fry movie? Please show her that - it is a good starting point. Also - I can recommend the book "An unquiet mind"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679763309?ie=UTF8&tag=b069-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0679763309

What about this one?

"Loving someone with Bipolar Disorder"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572243422?ie=UTF8&tag=b069-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1572243422

I have not read that one - I am chronically single :) ...oh wait :(

)

Dump her. $85 a session is too much for a "resource."

I wouldn't knock therapy in general just because there are bad therapists out there, but finding a good therapist is hard. Primarily, therapy is a constructive relationship between the therapist and the patient, but if the relationship isn't working (as it sounds like in your case) then you should jump ship or find another therapist.

When looking for a good therapist, it's important to know what you want or need beforehand. You should always interview the therapist before making a decision, to see what kind of treatment they provide (e.g. I'm a fan of cognitive behavior therapy) and to see if they have experience addressing your issues. Remember that you're not paying just for someone to talk to; you're paying for someone to help you.

If you don't want to continue therapy, there are several workbooks out there you can buy to help yourself, such as this classic.

Yeah, watch out for the rash. I haven't taken it so I don't have much to say about it. It's supposed to be more effective for the depressive end of bipolar than the manic end but can help even things out overall.

Here are a coulple books:

This is aimed at a slightly younger audience than you but it's still really good:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1573244724/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

Another must have

http://astore.amazon.com/crazyboards05-20/detail/1572305258

Feel free to stop by CrazyBoards, a mental health peer support forum I help run. (not intending to spam)

http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Jungle-Everything-Bipolar-Freaked/dp/1573244724/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299787629&sr=1-1

I found this one at my library and was really impressed with the majority of it. The author is a woman in her twenties and has some hilarious as hell stories like a depression episode where she cried over a "sad" fence. It has a good amount of humor, introduced me to behavioral cognitive therapy (which worked for me) and gives some good research on bipolar. There are parts I don't agree with, she is pretty adamant that there is a super slim chance you can get off medication for good which I believe is false in some situations. The book isn't boring at all and a very easy read.

You're right that you ain't dying like cancer patients and I'm barking up the wrong tree in making such comparison.

What you described, I've observed with my bipolar SO in the leading months after a major episode. The biggest impact is loss of confidence, energy and motivation, this dark cloud follows her everywhere. She's constantly fighting the bad signals coming out of her brain and sometimes I'm at loss how to support her amid these constant barrage of bad thoughts.

> I know it's only a matter of time before it turns to crap

Try a baby step, say taking a long walk 3 times weekly. Is there something that prevents you from such activity? Check back after a week if this endeavour saps your energy or motivation. There are small dreams and big dreams, each begins with one small step. At times when life is tough, learn to give yourself some small win to get past each day.

Try reading the "Feeling Good" by Dr David M Burns. It contains a number of techniques you can try to cope with debilitating illness. I use it off and on, like for instance it is unrealistic to have a good day daily each week (if anyone could, write a book and I'll buy it immediately), even for normal people. So what constitute a good week?

There is also "Mind over mood", has good reviews. Haven't read it yet, if you find this book useful, do share it here.

May be hard to focus on reading when mind ain't there. Ask a friend to read it together with you, or audiobooks? I too had my fair share of reading, then going through some exercises in the book with bipolar SO (who obviously doesn't like reading and thinks she knows the gist already after reading one chapter).

I found this book to be extremely helpful post diagnosis. I think one of the best things that you can do is to let your brother know that you [and family] are there to support him as best you can. Assure him that you might always know exactly what he's going through or how he feels, but you will do your best; that you are there if he needs someone to talk to and there if he needs advice (only give it if he asks for it).

Sometimes I just want someone to talk to so that I can vent about how I feel, how things are effecting me, etc. and I don't want advice on how to deal with it, fix it, or anything else unless I explicitly ask for it.

Things can definitely get better, but the path to recovery involves a lot of trial and error, and sometimes, a bit of fear and terror. I have found that, for me, the more educated I become about bipolar disorder the more at peace I become; things seem less frightening and I find myself better equipped to deal with it.

May I suggest an excellent book about bipolar disorder for you? "The Bipolar Handbook" is the best book that I have read to date about the disorder. I suggest purchasing it for yourself. They have it on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-Handbook-Real-Life-Up---Date/dp/1583332499/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293299456&sr=1-1

I hope that things improve for you. It may take a while. Just don't give up. :) Also, Merry Christmas if you happen to celebrate it.

I would get a second opinion ASAP just for peace of mind for your parents if nothing else. If you do go off meds, consistent therapy and exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep hygiene will be key (easier said than done, I know).

Depending on your diet and how much sunlight you get, you may want to look into supplementing with Vitamin D & K, Magnesium, Zinc, and high EPA fish oil.

Modafinil wouldn't be an everyday, long-term solution but I find that it does help reduce depressive symptoms and make me at least slightly more functional. It may be worth mentioning to your pdoc, assuming you haven't already tried it and the side effects are bearable.

These two books have both helped me quite a bit and I highly recommend them.

Bipolar, Not So Much and The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder

I normally don't push the podcasts I listen to but here is one that really, really helped me out when I was in a really bad spot. It is called Mental Illness Happy Hour. They have a sub on here called r/mentalpod/. Give it a try.

There is the DBT Workbook you can purchase off of Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Dialectical-Behavior-Therapy-Skills-Workbook/dp/1572245131/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3. I recommend it. It is helpful to do read the information and do the exercises.

Doing this on your own will be a bit of a struggle. But going to the library and getting books on this subject will benefit you. Just put in DBT in google and read what comes up. I cannot stress enough that this will be a difficult journey. I have been doing DBT for about 20 years. You learn skills like Mindfulness and how to use your wise mind. Just take it slow.

Thanks for sharing.

>Any tips for a "normal" (sorry, don't know the right term) girl dating a girl with Bipolar II and anxiety?

While you will never be able to completely understand what it's like to have Bipolar or anxiety, educating yourself can help a lot. For example you could read the books "Living With Someone Who's Living With Bipolar Disorder: A Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and Coworkers", "Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner", and "Loving Someone with Anxiety: Understanding and Helping Your Partner".

Also, it would be a great idea if you could learn how to listen to her talk about her problems without freaking out. In the relationships that I have been in, I haven't ever had the ability to talk about how I feel without worrying about how my partner would react. My partners haven't been helpful at all. As a result, I often had to deal with Bipolar Disorder by myself, and I was never able to talk about my symptoms with my partner.

There's a really good book about HSP. It's probably at your library.

I recommend getting outside in nature or somewhere calming/relaxing to you as much as possible. Get away from loud noises, fluorescent lights, too many people, etc. whenever you can.

Also talk to your doctor about your meds. Your anxiety and wilder mood swings should be better controlled at the very least. CBT can help with that as well.

The book Feeling Good is actually recommended by a few doctors I know. It is really high-quality self help, and is directed toward people with some form of depression. Unfortunately, I've never read it, but three of the doctors I know who actively see patients say that they've given it to patients, told patients to seek it out, or formally prescribe it to them (I don't know if that's just for the patient or not...I'm not aware of being able to get a prescription filled for a book, haha, but they say it makes the patient feel better about reading it).

The patch and Chantix both were helpful (not at the same time). But my secret weapon was these Cinnamon Toothpicks. It took care of the oral fixation thing. Also, this brand specifically is stronger, so when you really start gnawing on them because a craving hits, they don't disintegrate. They really help.

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https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Tree-Therapy-Toothpicks-Cinnamon/dp/B01D1WPSD2/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1540424866&sr=8-4&keywords=cinnamon+toothpicks

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Generally, you find a therapist specializing in it. Ask a potential therapist not only if they specialize in CBT, but also if they are experienced working with individuals with bipolar disorder. And most importantly, find someone you are comfortable with. If you feel uneasy or unwilling to discuss a lot of your concerns with your therapist, it's time to move on. It can be frustrating jumping around in search of the right therapist, but once you find someone you are comfortable with you can begin making huge progress.

Check out this book. Best purchase under ten bucks, it is essentially a self-help guide to CBT.

I highly recommend you read An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison.

That book helped me so much. Just to know there was someone else who went through what I did. I mean, somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that I wasn't the only person with BP... but to be able to read it.. and actually have proof that I wasn't crazy.. It did wonders.

Can I ask, are you happy with your decision to not take medication? You mention that you have had a difficult time lately - why not try a different medication?

Also, I'm very sorry to hear you lost your mother. My heart goes out to you.

>What do you say to your employer, do I have to or should I tell them?

You don't say anything unless you absolutely have to and I can't think of a reason that would ever meet that criteria. Hospitalization or otherwise. You are not obligated to tell them anything and you are better off sticking to that.

>How often does it actually come up on a day to day basis

For a lot and arguably most people it doesn't come up unless you bring it up. If you don't tell anyone that doesn't need to know, the most they'll do is suspect something if they know enough about bipolar disorder to pick it out.

>how do you come out as bipolar, maybe?

It's good to tell a couple people who you trust and you know care about you because they can kinda have an eye out for you when you start swinging. You really are better off keeping it between you, your psychiatrist, family/friends you can trust, and supportive people who understand what you're going through.

>suddenly a reality of some description is dawning. It's like I'M BIPOLAR. I'M. Bi. POLAR. WTF?? I look at the word and think, aww, bears..., and then I get a grip and think, uh, no, real, long-term, mental illness; lifetime of drugs and psychiatrists and people thinking I'm going to hang my shoes off my ears and run round shouting FIRE FIRE, people who care about me not knowing how to talk to me, lifetime of blowing relationships with people because I think I'm ok when I'm not... how does this really pan out?

The day I was hospitalized, I had my own collection of moments where that realization dawned on me. As I was driving to the hospital while my mind was going completely haywire, in between the fear and paranoia, the part of my mind I recognize as the real me was like "Holy shit. This is the real fucking deal. I have a mental illness." When I got the hospital and they fast-tracked me to the front of the line it hit me again. When the attending nurse came back and said "We need you to admit yourself or we will have to admit you involuntarily" it hit me. When I walked through the locked door of the inpatient facility it hit me. When they made me take off my shoes and store them in a container, give my mom my wallet and keys, take the string out of my hoodie, stash my notebook in the nurse's station... it hit me.

It was unnerving but I had known that I had bipolar disorder it had just never reared it's head like that. What I also knew was that my medication worked (I had some issues with my psychiatrist and not having access to my medication for about a month. I'll stick up a pharmacy if I have to these days. I refuse to not take meds).

Ultimately though, your life will continue as normal. Yes you'll always have that monster in your head. You'll do your best to keep it caged but sometimes it'll rattle you. Stick to your treatment. Understand the first meds they give you may not work out for you. Maybe the side-effects will keep you from doing what you need to be doing. Maybe it just won't work right. But stick with it and work with your psychiatrist to find the right cocktail. Be honest with them and let them know everything about how you're feeling with the medication and such.

The world is filled with people who don't and will likely never understand mental illness. All they'll ever know are the stories of people (generally untreated) who really lost their shit and did wild things. Or maybe they'll have personal experiences with those people and have a tarnished perspective on what it means to be someone who has bipolar disorder. But don't let that get you down and don't take anything they may say that's hurtful personally. They just don't get it and it's not really their fault. It's okay and maybe even good to provide people with information and perspective of your own. Expressing yourself to the right audience can be not only therapeutic for you but help other people like us in the future as they come into contact with the people who don't have it.

Bipolar disorder will always be a part of you but you don't have to let it define your life. Yeah, sometimes you just won't feel like doing shit or maybe you'll feel like doing everything and then get burned out and disappointed with the numerous and impractical undertakings you took on. But it's okay. Always remember that those phases will pass. When you find the right treatment, they'll be less frequent and less severe. You don't have to let the illness get in your way.

Also, I want you to read this book. It's called Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar but Were Too Freaked Out to Ask. I think it will give you exactly what you're wanting right now and it's a fantastic read. I will fucking buy the kindle edition for you if you promise to read it.

Don't worry. You got this.

I recommend The Feeling Good Handbook and The Bipolar Workbook.

I'm lucky to be in a long term stable relationship with someone committed to sticking by me even when I suck. I bought this book after my diagnosis and asked her to read it. She said it helped her to understand me a little better and she has more patience with my moods.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470475668

Having read them, I can recommend the following:


The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide

Bipolar 101: A Practical Guide to Identifying Triggers, Managing Medications, Coping with Symptoms, and More


Treating Bipolar Disorder - This one is more clinician based, but interesting.


Mindfulness for Bipolar Disorder


Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder

Edited for layout.

Hey thanks for mentioning this. I am HSP and honestly forget about that in dealing with all of the bipolar stuff.

... you should check out this book!

Dialectical behavior therapy is often recommended. It includes four skill sets, all of which can help to improve relationships: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT may be available in your area. There is a also DBT workbook specifically for bipolar.

Her book is an amazing read too. http://www.amazon.com/Unquiet-Mind-Memoir-Moods-Madness/dp/0679763309

As far as books go, An Unquiet Mind is a really great book. It put words to the things I was experiencing and feeling and it really helped me put some things into perspective.

Everything is really confusing when you are first diagnosed and you are going to second guess everything a lot. Give it some time and focus on basic self-care.

Perfectly defined. Here's a link to the workbook written by the creator of the theory. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1572245131/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522239188&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=dbt+workbook&dpPl=1&dpID=516VuY2krdL&ref=plSrch (sorry on mobile.) It changed my life and made coping with or without meds easier. Mindfulness in particular is a game changer.

Besides medications, disciplined lifestyle is your friend. Regular sleep, food, exercise, avoiding drugs and alcohol. I see in the thread that you say you can't sleep. With this illness, you absolutely must make that time and keep it on a schedule. If not, you can expect plenty of episodes. I was mostly level and high functioning, but I managed stress badly, lost control, and lost my career in the process. You say you don't have time to sleep; actually you cannot afford not to.

Get a book on meditation. Learn it. Do it daily. It should make your sleep more efficient and much easier. I highly recommend this book in particular: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Way-Through-Depression/dp/1593851286

You can't control your episodes, but there are things you can do to decrease their frequency and severity--largely in the form of lifestyle.

It's worth doing. Please consider it.

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder: Using DBT to Regain Control of Your Emotions and Your Life

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MEIMRO?ref=dbs_p2d_P_R_popup_yes_pony_T1&pldnSite=1

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If you want to read a bit of it, to see if you like it, this would be useful: https://www.newharbinger.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-skills-workbook-bipolar-disorder

Yes that can be a sign of a manic episode. I may suggest picking up Kay Redfield Jamison's book An Unquiet Mind to get a first-hand account of full blown manic episodes, from the point of view of a clinical psychologist as she experiences it herself.

I highly recommend An Unquiet Mind. It's a memoir written by a psychiatrist who also suffers from bipolar disorder. Relating to those who have a mental illness is hard and I think this book can definitely be beneficial to those who have friends or family members who are bipolar.

I'd recommend Julie A. Fast's book and NAMI Family to Family meetings.

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner

http://www.amazon.com/An-Unquiet-Mind-Memoir-Madness/dp/0679763309

Email me sundressesandsangria@gmail.com if you need someone to talk to about it. It hard for my family to do so.

The book I referred to as "my bible" is The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide . My therapist has also given me chapter every week of another book. I will try to get that title if you interested

Mania's and depressions can be triggered by external events for sure. Both internal cycling and external triggers can cause mood swings. I'm speaking from experience and what I've read in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-Disorder-Survival-Guide-Family/dp/1572305258/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324597209&sr=1-14

One good site I recommend visit is http://www.bipolarworld.net/ and a really great book is An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness and is written by a bipolar psychiatrist. Unquiet Mind was the first book I read about bipolar disorder and has helped me to accept aspects of myself that I was ashamed of and/or did not understand previously. Great read for sufferers and friends/family of those sufferers.

No problem lol!

Yeah I'd be skeptical too, but if money really doesn't matter, I think it'd be worth it to take a chance on any doctor. And definitely ask if you can call them beforehand and ask them whatever you're concerned about (like how personalized your treatment could be, for example). Btw, bipolar disorder and anxiety often involve paranoia, so I wouldn't worry too much about that personality disorder if I were you.

I think DBT is pretty different from what you described, it's a lot about learning skills. I know there's a DBT self help book that I've done (well, part of it) and it's good. DBT is really good for BPD and probably bipolar due to the similarities, I've never heard of it being offered just one-on-one but twice had the chance to go to a group for it (both I ended up turning down). DBT also definitely has mindfulness involved. I've been in group therapy before and hated it! It's definitely not for everyone and certain things like CBT can come off as condescending from the wrong person.

Unfortunately nowhere near where I'm from so I can't recommend someone to you! Worth a shot though.

Overall it sounds like you're really worried about labels for what and if you can, try to put those thoughts to rest. The psychiatrist will be able to diagnose you and self-diagnosing and going into a wikipedia rabbit hole will make you think you have every disorder and that just makes for a lot of needless worry because you don't have the training to diagnose yourself or the necessary outside perspective. And trust me I've so been there! Thinking you're every disorder under the sun is upsetting and often it made me overly paranoid of every mood swing or symptom. If you can try to let go of it, do, because in the end, mood disorders and personality disorders are on a spectrum and different psychiatrists might diagnose the same condition differently while still treating it will the same medications. (That said, ADHD isn't bipolar. I mean more like one would call bipolar 2 irritable depression instead.)

Here you go! You recommended everything I was going to recommend so I thought I'd make your links easier to click.

>All of these are useful:
>
>An Unquiet Mind
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>Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide
>
>The Bipolar Workbook: Controlling Swings
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>The Mindful Way Through Depression
>
>The last book describes a self-guided therapy that I used to lift myself out of a mixed mood a few years ago. I was willing to do anything to get better and that included doing things that I had little to no faith in but I still had to try. It worked despite my skepticism. I believe in it now.
>
>and then there is the bible of the illness and its treatment. It's massive and very technical (written for medical professionals) but you might find parts of it useful.
>
>Manic Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression
>

Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar but Were Too Freaked Out to Ask

This book is funny and irreverent and single-handedly got me through the days of loneliness and fear and alienation when I was first diagnosed.