(Part 2) Best products from r/BipolarReddit
We found 32 comments on r/BipolarReddit discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 180 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
21. Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder
- Multi-Band Atomic Timekeeping , Tough Solar Power, Shock Resistant
- 200M Water Resistant, Full Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow, World Time, 4 Daily alarms and 1 Snooze Alarm, Hourly time signal
- 1/100 second stopwatch, Countdown Timer, Full auto-calendar, 12/24 hour formats, Button operation tone on/off
- Battery power indicator, Power saving function, Storage battery: Solar rechargeable battery, Approx. battery life: 9 months on full charge (without further exposure to light)
Features:
22. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner
- Used Book in Good Condition
Features:
24. Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice From My Bipolar Life
- Honeywell Ademco 5806W3
Features:
25. Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression, 2nd Edition
- BETAINE HCL/PEPSIN/GENTIAN BITTERS contains three nutritional factors that perform complementary functions designed to support the efficiency of the digestive process. Supplementing with Betaine HCl helps support the stomach’s digestive capacity. Pepsin is an enzyme produced by the body to digest protein-containing foods in the stomach.
- PEPSIN works in conjunction with stomach acid to support protein digestion. Gentian is an herb used to optimize the digestive capacity and tonify the digestive tract. Its bitter nature may help to stimulate the body's production of digestive enzymes.
- SUPPORTS HEALTHY PH LEVELS Betaine hydrochloride supports the microbial balance and helps maintain healthy pH levels in the stomach and small intestine. Gentian is a bitter herb that helps support normal production of stomach acid.
- SUPPORTS DIGESTION Betaine HCL and Pepsin work together to break down food and help prevent occasional gas and bloating when taken before a meal.
- GETTING THE RIGHT BALANCE of flora - Betaine HCl/Pepsin/Gentian Bitters use helps maintain proper digestive function and overall health.
- During the summer months products may arrive warm but Amazon stores and ships products in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations, when provided.
Features:
26. [KLAIRS] Supple Preparation Facial Toner, with Hyaluronic Acid, moisturizer, without paraben and alcohol, 180ml, 6.08oz
- Hydrates and calms sensitive skin post-cleansing and tidies the skin texture to smoothed while maintaining the optimal pH balance
- Plant extracts and soothing ingredients blended together for a calming formula, the non-irritating, super hydrating toner can be used for sensitive skin as well
- Faster absorption, enhanced hydration, Balance pH level, Calming formula, Non-irritation, 180ml, 6.08oz
- it is their viscous, essence or serum-like texture was what made them stood out from other toners in the market with main ingredients being beta-glucan, hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica that instantly calm & soothe the sensitive skin. In that sense, they are good enough to replace a serum from your skincare routine if they are layered multiple times using bare hands.
Features:
27. Choice Theory: A New Psychology Of Personal Freedom
HarperCollins Publishers
28. Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World
- Artist color palette designed specifically for acrylic paints, face paint fabric paint and washable kid's paint.
- [[ Diameter 4.7" or 12 cm. ]] For professional artists use in small painting projects, mini craft, miniature & model figure or perfect size for kids 2 to 10 year old. (as shown in the images)
- Fastest & easiest to keep clean by peel off or just water and soap. Less glare, anti-scratch, anti-slip, nice weight and better for mixing.
- Very convenient to carry. Flexible. Unsharp edge & non-toxic ( safe for everybody ). Eco-friendly product.
- Very durable & long-term Use ( 5+Years ). Art supplies drawing, painting for kids, school or arts crafts hobby tools.
Features:
31. The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens, and Families: Real-Life Questions with Up-to-Date Answers
- In men's, women's, and youth sizes for your choice and comfort
- This is perfect for a birthday, Christmas, graduation or any other gift giving occasion
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Features:
32. AT-A-GLANCE Professional Planner Pad, Collection, 80 Sheets Per Book, 5 x 8.75 Inch Page Size (YP110A-49)
Handy professional planner pad in neon orange is a top bound, flip back undated note pad that you can take with you most anywhere due to it's very portable sizeStand out in a crowd, the hot neon color will never get lost on your desk top; Each 5 x 8.75 inch page contains space for a date, a.m., p.m....
34. Stridex Daily Care Acne Pads Maximum Strength - 90 ct - 2 pk
- 【Absorb Shocks & Relieve Pain 】Resilient Compression Pad in the strap snugly holds the patellar around the knee and absorbs the shocks. Reduce the pain associated with patellar tendonitis, jumper's knee, runner's knee, chondromalacia.
- 【Extra Wide Brace & Always Stay in Place】Ergonomic-shape brace contours your kneecap tightly to allow for the building of muscle. Premium material ensures that compression is uniform throughout and stays in place for any physical activity.
- 【Comfortable & Lightweight Material】Smooth edges doesn’t irritate skin and wraps tight around your knee to apply support. Not even noticeable. You can kneel and function much better with it on to give your knee enough break from the stress.
- 【One Size Fits All & Reinforced Stitching】It has plenty of slack to both tighten or loosen. Fits any specific needs from a child to an adult for resting the tendon. Gives your knee professional protection to prevent most accidental damage.
- 【High Responsibility After Sale Service】We emphasizes both high quality and customer service. Any issue, please contact us by e-mail. Our efficient customer service will surely offer a satisfied solution. No More Think Twice, Click Add to Cart Now.
Features:
35. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream With Pump for Normal To Dry Skin, 19 Ounce
NondryingOil freeCeramides help restore the skin barrier
36. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser | Makeup Remover and Daily Face Wash for Oily Skin | 16 Fluid Ounce
- [ FOAMING FACIAL CLEANSER ] Dispenses as a clear gel cleanser and transforms into a foam as you lather. Cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight, dry, or stripped
- [NON- DRYING FACE CLEANSER] Fragrance-free, paraben free, non-comedogenic, non-drying, and non-irritating. Gently refreshes and effectively removes excess oil, dirt, and makeup
- [ MULTI-USE SKIN CARE ] Skin Cleanser for face and/or body and can be used as a hand wash. Suitable for daily cleansing morning (AM) and night (PM) for normal to oily skin
- [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Ceramides are found naturally in the skin and make up 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier. All CeraVe products, formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II)to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
- [ DEVELOPED WITH DERMATOLOGISTS & #1 DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED SKINCARE BRAND ] CeraVe Skincare is developed with dermatologists and has products suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, and more.
Features:
37. Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Acne Medication Spot Treatment with Maximum Strength 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, Pimple Cream & Acne Gel Medicine for Face Acne with Benzoyl Peroxide Medication, 1 oz (pack of 4)
- 1-ounce tube of Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Acne Medication Spot Treatment with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide to help effectively treat pimples and prevent future breakouts
- Acne spot treatment is fragrance-free and contains 10% benzoyl peroxide acne medication and goes to work quickly by targeting the source of where acne breakouts begin
- Features the same acne formula prescribed by doctors for 10+ years without a prescription and provides clearer looking skin by releasing benzoyl peroxide deep down where pimples begin
- Prescription-strength topical pimple medication goes to work quickly to treat and clear pimples, and help prevent acne from forming for clearer looking skin
- Suitable for all skin types including acne-prone skin, use this fragrance-free daily face gel as part of a regular skincare routine
Features:
38. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM | 3 Ounce | Ultra Lightweight, Night Face Moisturizer | Packaging May Vary
[ ALL-NIGHT HYDRATION ] Moisturizes throughout the night and helps restore the protective skin barrier[ MOISTURE-RETAINING INGREDIENTS ] Formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain skin's natural moisture and niacinamide to help calm skin. Improves the appearance of the skin[ PATENTED TECHNOLOGY ...
39. Bioderma - Sébium H2O - Micellar Water - Cleansing and Make-Up Removing - for Combination to Oily Skin - 8.33 fl.oz
- [PURIFYING] - effective micellar water makeup remover that gently removes dirt and makeup from combination to oily skin.
- [NO RINSE FORMULA] - facial makeup remover and face cleanser for on-the-go, with a no rinse formula that offers an immediate feeling of freshness.
- [SKIN BALANCING] - micellar water that removes makeup and dirt without drying out the skin.
- [LIMITS SEBUM SECRETION] - prevent excess sebum secretion with Sébium H20, while refining and mattifying your skin.
- [3 EASY STEPS] - Use morning and/or evening Soak a cotton pad with Sébium H2O Micellar Water, then gently cleanse and/or remove makeup from face. No rinsing required.
Features:
I’m 31 and have dealt with acne, at times severe, cystic, impacting both face and body, on and off since my early teens. I can certainly relate to the frustration of still having to deal with flares as I got older.
I would also highly recommend r/skincareaddiction if you are looking for a good resource for product and routine suggestions. Since it sounds like your skin is probably somewhat dehydrated, I would stay away from harsh, stripping products. Interestingly, this would probably include any drugstore face washes marketed towards acne. The objective of your face wash should be to cleanse your face of excess oil, dirt, and ideally makeup. I’ve always really enjoyed using:
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
It didn’t dry me out and I liked that it had AHA - it seemed like just the right amount of an exfoliating ingredient to help unclog pores without being irritating. I liked it much better than standard recommendations for Cetaphil or Cerave. The former felt too drying and I seem to be sensitive to some ingredient in Cerave products because they invariably seem to make me break out more.
However, my face wash was not very good at removing makeup and it seems that most face washes suck at this task. I thought this might be causing problems for me so I started trying out the double cleanse method - first experimenting with micellar waters, cleansing oils, or cleansing balms and following up with my chosen cleanser in the second step to remove the oily residue. I admit I was scared to actively be applying oils to my face even if I was going to be removing them. But you know what? My face never felt so clean and happy! It dawned on me that my poor skin was probably screaming for hydration. So I read up on Korean beauty products and regimens and researched posts on r/AsianBeauty (which I would also highly recommend). At this point I’ve tried out a few different serums, hydrating toners, and sleeping packs. I layer these products in lieu of a typical lotion or cream moisturizer (I do top off with sunscreen in the morning). When I’m feeling lazy I just use this hydrating toner which feels like a runny serum:
KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner
This is my holy grail skin care product. I cherish it more than my scattered tubes of clindamycin, Differin, and tretinoin which have all been collecting dust. I apply after I wash to replenish moisture. It’s very high in sodium hyaluronate and beta-glucan which are great hydrating ingredients to look out for. Since incorporating this routine my skin has been transformed. It gradually stopped producing as much oil as it normally used to to the extent that I think I can’t even classify my skin as combination/oily anymore. It’s just... normal. I don’t soak through 5 sheets of blotting paper several times a day. I don’t even own blotting paper anymore.
So there you go. That’s my big shout out to the power of hydration, fixing your moisture barrier, and Korean skincare 🤣
I know this has already been a novel, but this issue is dear to my heart so I thought I’d share a few more parting thoughts and suggestions:
Good luck!
Hi gayfoot, I'm really glad you were open to my message for you. I got beat up quite a bit for that, by other people, but now I feel justified and I don't regret what I wrote. This happens all the time by the way.
First, before reading the rest of this comment, please watch this:
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFView.cfm?PID=194
Did you enjoy that? Here's more:
http://www.consciousone.com/wisdomflash/WFlist.cfm
Here are some recent comments that I've written on the subject:
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/rfjwn/i_never_knew_i_was_such_an_asshole/c45vkmu
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/lwctu/redirected_from_rself_i_am_paying_johns_hopkins/c2wb58q
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/lwctu/redirected_from_rself_i_am_paying_johns_hopkins/c2w8c8e
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/lwctu/redirected_from_rself_i_am_paying_johns_hopkins/c2w96pt
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/losk6/anyone_else_not_on_any_meds/c2uh907
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/m4pm2/psa_references_to_alternative_medicine_as/c2y6gc3
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/q11pa/my_13_year_old_son_pulled_a_knife_on_me_his_dad/c3u0goy
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/nj3xu/does_this_sound_like_it_was_written_by_someone/c39ixez
I've written many other similar comments, feel free to look through my comments history and if you have any other questions I'll be happy to provide any other advice that I can! But if you read through all of those comments, you should have a pretty good feel for my position.
I didn't even realize you were talking about an actual book called "Choice Theory"!
I'll have to read that book too! I'm not really sure where I picked this information up, it sort of came to me in various forms over the past few years.
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/np9iq/a_probably_unpopular_question_that_should_be/c3avwh5
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/np9iq/a_probably_unpopular_question_that_should_be/c3ax3bm
>I'd taken a stressful job working with teenage sex offenders in a near-zero supportive professional environment
Oh wow, I don't think I could handle that sort of stress. That's really incredibly difficult. You have a good heart for trying though!
>I would love to come off the meds but I fear my fantasy of being able to live a normal life without them is a pipe dream.
It's not a "pipe dream". Society has a huge fear of those with "mental illness", there is still a lot of taboo and people have this idea stuck in their head that all bipolar people need to be medicated otherwise they are considered somehow unsafe to be out in society among all of the "normal" people. Which is utter BS. There is no such thing as "normal" people. Everybody has their emotional moments from time to time. Nobody is perfect or "normal", different people just have different capacities for controlling their emotions and thoughts, most of the time people are able to stay in control, but every once in a while people snap. Even people who are considered "normal", they snap too. And they have such a huge fear of losing control over their emotions and then being subsequently labeled as some how emotionally unstable or shudder to think, "bipolar" or "manic/depressive".
>I grew up in a violent home and absorbed some tendency to respond violently. I am no longer physically violent, but I roll with such an angry emotional furor when I see injustice (bully bosses, people who park in handicapped spaces, financial exploiters). I just cant seem to find my Zen with it all
read this:
http://www.reddit.com/r/BipolarReddit/comments/nj3xu/does_this_sound_like_it_was_written_by_someone/c39ixez
>Can you please be so kind as to share with me part of your process to enlightenment? Is there a book like "Choice Theory" that might electrify me so much as Glasser did? I need new inspiration so much.
Read "The Power of Now".
Watch these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpDDyTW1nLY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE1dWwoJPU0
>Any other assorted thoughts you have on going med free, enlightenment from within would be like gold to me. Thanks for your time. I look forward to your reply if you can.
I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with this, but as you can see, being mindful and aware of your own mental state of mind is THE most important thing above all else. Medication helps, yes, it's helpful, it helped me for a while, but now I'm off the mood stabilizers and I'm doing perfectly well in my life. I'm currently holding on to a full time, permanent job, I'm an IT Manager for a large corporation, I deal with all sorts of day to day issues. I'm a husband, a father, employee, and in my spare time I like to help people by sharing my experiences. Karma is real, do good for others and good things will happen for you.
Am I "manic"? Well, possibly "hypomanic", but I use it to my advantage. Where other people need to take adderall, cocaine, caffeine or other stimulants to kick their brain into gear, I don't have that problem. My brain is naturally overclocked and operates at a much higher speed than "normal" people, additionally, I am great at multi-tasking, I can deal with all sorts of things going on at once. It's a balance of managing your focus. I work on things in time slices, I'll do everything that I can on something and then if I'll have to wait a while before I can move on to the next step, then I'll work on something else while I'm waiting for the first thing. It's like juggling, but I'd rather keep my brain active all the time. And when I'm bored with work or I come across someone such as yourself who is asking for my advice, then I'm more than happy to share my experiences with others.
I could go on and on, but I hope by now you're able to see a whole new perspective on this whole "bi polar" thing.
Namaste!
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.
The first couple months are going to be the most difficult with the whole medication balancing act. On the bright side, most people have to switch doctors a few times before they find one that isn't a complete idiot, so you already have a leg up!
One thing I wish I had started earlier was keeping a log of everything. This is the pad I am using: http://uedata.amazon.com/-GLANCE-Professional-Planner-Collection-YP110A-49/dp/B00UCC2FLI (I see it's not available anymore, damn.)
Anyway, I write objective observations about myself as well as keep a to-do list and track taking my meds. I write what time I went to bed and what time I woke up, any exercise I did, anything that happened out of the ordinary (and if you are a lady, I would track your lady time). On the year calendar view, I cross a red X on bad days, a green X on good days, yellow X on average days, and a black X on manic days. It helps to have a visual representation of how your moods rise and fall. (There are also apps that do this if you're not a pen and paper type. I find having something physical on my desk is harder to ignore.) And if you notice a pattern, you can look back to see if anything you did that day or the day before triggered a mood swing or contributed to a string of good days.
On Sunday night, I review the week. Any important notes that I took I retype so I can access them quickly if needed later on. Anything on the to-do list that did not get done gets carried over. And I make a general judgment as to how the week went, and try to come up with something constructive I can try to make the next week better. For example, if I see that a couple nights I went to bed really late or ate junk food and that turned into depression, when I write in my next week's dates I'll write a reminder note to try to get consistent sleep and resist sugar cravings. This is especially helpful if you are having side effects from medications, because when you go several weeks between appointments you may forget or misremember exactly how you were feeling the whole time. And on Sunday night, after I've done this analysis and prepared myself for the next week, I rip the previous week out and keep it in that month's file folder. I keep every single day's worth of notes just for reference. Keeping a paper trail of your life will set you up for success. You need to become an expert at yourself, and it's really empowering once you get the hang of it!
And trust me, I've been where you are. Nobody comes with the natural ability to cope with this condition, so don't feel bad that you haven't got it all under control. The fact that you are seeking help and giving the meds a try is a HUGE indicator that you are on the right path!
Other suggestions I have are to figure out your minimum calories and your optimal macro breakdown. Some days, I get it, I can't eat enough either. But make the effort whenever you can and you will see a huge benefit in how you think and feel. Same goes for exercise; when your body is all out of whack you gotta take baby steps. Honestly some days, the best effort I can give is a couple minutes of stretching - but it's better than nothing. I find yoga to be very beneficial, even if it's just super casual stretching with an emphasis on controlling your breathing. You might find yoga or meditation to be a good place to turn when you are having those angry/frustrating/harmful moods. And I think you will find once you start to get these other things in place, sleep will take care of itself.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with the concept of mindfulness, but look into it if you're not. It's another one of those skills you have to hone that will make coping with the bad days much easier. Because no matter what you do, you will always have bad days. Honestly though, in a few months when you find your meds start to click, and you get your habits and routines a little more solid, you'll find that everything you have to do to take care of yourself is almost cathartic in a way.
I know that was A LOT of info, I apologize for the Great Wall of Text! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, I'd love to help in any way I can. :)
For sure. I've been trying different products for about 6 months now using the SCA routine guidelines. It's a great sub & I've learned a lot about skincare from it. Apologies for my formatting, on mobile. Keep in mind that skincare is not one size fits all. Always patch test, go slow & only change one product at a time so you know which product is causing a particular effect. I also wish I had taken a proper before picture to help measure my results.
My current routine:
Am - rinse with lukewarm water, dry & apply micellar water using a cotton round https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D10IR1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_W6JLAbQNQFP3F) wait 5 minutes for it to absorb then apply moisturizer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N35TNYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_k.JLAb07QYVMK Apply sunscreen, CeraVe makes a lotion with sunscreen too
PM - Wash with a gentle cleanser. At first I used Cetaphil because it is super gentle but I've now stepped up to CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1LL62W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rcKLAbZWS17QV Next I use the red box Stridex wipes to exfoliate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JF2VZG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vfKLAbSP9XSG7 I let that soak into my face for 20-30 minutes. The I use a benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment to help dry up postules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E96LXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QjKLAbYZXTGX5 Note that as low as 3% is as effective as 10% and doesn't dry out your skin as much. I already had the persa gel when I found out & it doesn't dry my skin too much so I'm using it all up before trying something else. After the benzoyl peroxide has set for a few minutes I moisturize using CeraVe PM Lotion https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010PJX8UE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jnKLAbJ21PV7H Both the CeraVe face wash & PM lotion have niancinamide which seems to be working well with my face. Overall I have been satisfied with CeraVe products. I've used some of The Ordinary line & loved them but it seems they are always out of stock so I gave up. Their azaliac acid & glycol toner worked great for me.
I'm far from an expert but feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I know all to well how much acne can really weigh someone down & I'm happy to help. Good luck!
Hey yellowsummer, it's awesome that you are seeing a therapist. It will take awhile, but if the therapist is someone you feel safe with, it will help a lot. I was super skeptical about it and almost stopped going a few times in the first couple months. But, over the past two years, a combination of therapy and medication made life worth living for me. It's as though I lived in a constant storm and now I can stand in the sunshine for the first time. So I'm really, really happy to hear you're doing therapy.
Sometimes it helps, for me at least, to hear about other's experiences with BP, since I tend to mistrust my own opinion and devalue my feelings (yay depression). I picked up a couple books, and found a couple good documentaries. It may also help you to know that we're in good company.
It took me the past year to come to peace with my diagnosis, so if you are struggling with accepting it, that's ok. Most of all, there is hope :)
I prefer research papers and materials written for professionals over self help guides, but the things that I prefer might be denser than most people are comfortable with. I read studies and details from drug package inserts. I find and read articles on the internet -- especially for new drugs, supplements, therapies. The single most worthwhile book was on mindfulness meditation. It made a big difference in my life and I did the whole thing on my own with no therapist guiding me. It has no bipolar content in it whatsoever. http://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Way-through-Depression/dp/1593851286
I also sort of like: http://www.amazon.com/The-Bipolar-Workbook-Controlling-Swings/dp/1593851626
I found cognitive therapy to be barely useful. Mindfulness meditation was extremely helpful.
I am crawling my way through selected sections of this massive book which is sometimes called the bible of this disorder:
http://www.amazon.com/Manic-Depressive-Illness-Disorders-Recurrent-Depression/dp/0195135792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345650360&sr=1-1&keywords=manic+depressive+illness
I keep reading because we must be excellent advocates for ourselves.
Much of what I learn, I learn the hard way through experience.
People in this sub are fairly knowledgeable. Asking questions here often yields a few good answers.
I recommend The Feeling Good Handbook and The Bipolar Workbook.
This is a fun book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Steady-Brilliant-Advice-Bipolar/dp/1683961013/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WQLNK8O0TXAI&keywords=rock+steady+ellen+forney&qid=1573009120&sprefix=Rock+Steady%2Caps%2C306&sr=8-1
This is a really good book: Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder
If you're looking for information on bipolar ii, the ONLY good book I've read on it is Why am I still depressed? It describes the difference between bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and straight depression.
I'm not really sure what you've seen SSRI's do to people. Can you explain that a little more? I've taken SSRI's and they made me nutso, but that was because my bipolar hadn't been diagnosed. Currently, I am taking an SSRI, but in conjunction with mood stabilizers, it's fine. SSRI's are insanely popular, so I'm thinking you may have seen a rare case, a rare reaction, or an improper prescription.
Get to a doctor right away. If you want the pain to go away, a qualified professional is where it's going to start. Facing up and taking care of your problems is the exact opposite of feeling sorry yourself.
Im an engineer and people have bought me comfort books but when I sought the most information I could. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195135792/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 was my choice. The beginning has quite a good overview of some history and delves into every aspect of the disorder as it is the go to textbook. This may be too much unless you're trying to understand bipolar disorder down to the neuroscience like me.
The price is to be expected. It's a medical textbook several hundred pages in length, with a multitude of contributors. Jamison is co-editor, with Frederick Goodwin. I have a copy of the second edition in hardcover, which cost $70. I'm not sure which edition the OP has, but here's a link to the one I have.
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:
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>An Unquiet Mind
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>Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide
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>The Bipolar Workbook: Controlling Swings
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>The Mindful Way Through Depression
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>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.
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>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.
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>Manic Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression
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