Bipolar 1 and Panic Disorder

[Jane_Doe2018]

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1. I'm on here for extra support during this difficult, confusing, and scary time. I also have panic disorder (diagnosed 4 years ago). If anyone has any kind words of encouragement or words of wisdom, please comment/message me. I am new to this community, so I am still figuring out how everything works. Thank you.

[Sprinkle1]

Hello, I feel for you. Being diagnoses with a mental illness can be disturbing in this day and age, because of the stigma, which thankfully is getting less. I was diagnosed Bipolar 11 when is was 58 and what a relief, I found a great psychiatrist and he took good care of me, explaining so many things to me. I lived in Calif. at the time and was sad to leave him when I moved to S.C. I did well for many years, then in 2016 I went on the skids and have gone thru hell for close to 2 years, with depression/anxiety and panic attacks!!! Finally thru a friend I now have another great psychiatrist and he has me on some meds that work. I am on Gabapentin 300 mg 4 times daily with 600 mg at bed time, this helps with the anxiety and sleep. I am on Viibryd 20 mg for the depression and anxiety. Also on Zyprexa 5 mg for sleep, and I feel so happy and content. These drugs work for me, your Dr. is going to have to find the right medication for you. I have a cousin who is Bipolar 1 and he does well on his med's. I hope this email is of help to you. Please do not be afraid, there is only fear to fear itself (Roosevelt) go with the flow as much as you can, and do not hesitate to write to us we will help you if we can. I send you love and strength a fellow sufferer who is very well at this time. Sprinkle 1.......xx

[Jane_Doe2018 in reply to Sprinkle1]

Thank you so much Sprinkle! I really needed to hear this.

[kvolm2016]

Hi Jane_Doe and welcome. Glad you are reaching out here for encouragement! Any new diagnosis is definitely alot to understand and adapt to at the beginning. Do you have a good relationship with your health care professional? Do you feel like you are getting good support and guidance from them?

[Jane_Doe2018 in reply to kvolm2016]

Hi kvolm, thank you. I feel less alone in my struggles the more I have been on here. Yes, I do have a good relationship with my health care professionals. I am currently seeing a psychiatrist- mainly for medicine, a therapist- to do some serious talk therapy, and my regular doctor. I think I am getting proper treatment from them. Two of the three work together and have developed a plan for me, and my doctor works across the street from them and receives updates on my care/progress. When I had a bad reaction to a medication, they were there to help and seemed to really care. I have a great support system from them. I started seeing them about a year ago after having a bad experience with a therapist that kept cancelling on me. I'm glad I made the change! Thanks again for welcoming me and I hope you have a great day

[kvolm2016 in reply to Jane_Doe2018]

So glad to hear how fortunate you are with this great team of professionals! I know another key piece is also having good support from family and friends. Not all of them will understand or be helpful but having a few key people to be able to go to is so important. Do you know who your "go to" people are?

[Jane_Doe2018 in reply to kvolm2016]

Thanks, I know I am so grateful for them! These are great questions to ask myself, that way I have a good support team when things get rough. I talk to them when things aren't rough, as well. I have lost a lot of friends, and several family members do not understand. However, I do have three key people I can turn to that I know are there for me- my husband, my sister, and a trusted friend. Thank you for asking these questions, it really makes me feel better prepared

[kvolm2016 in reply to Jane_Doe2018]

It is so helpful to have those key people since we do know there are often not many. I have shared this article with a few people because I thought it would help them understand a bit more. Take a look and see what you think. bit.ly/2zTd7eq