Newly diagnosed bipolar disorder. RANT

[imasleep123]

I just recently got diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I started learning about it. The more I learn, the more I resonate with the diagnosis and it’s really stressing me out. I never really considered bipolar disorder because I was so focused on anxiety and depression, so I would look at only anxiety symptoms and only depression symptoms but never considered bipolar symptoms. Now that I have a better understanding of mania, I feel like how did I not know? How did I go 16 years without a proper diagnosis? What does this mean for my life moving forward? The thing that really resonated me the most was the day-to-day life of bipolar, and never really feeling like I have a grasp on things and when I start to feel better, always thinking in the back of my mind it’s only a matter of time until things spiral out of control. And now realizing that I’m sheltering myself because my experience has taught me that being outside in the world has negative consequences and I have much more control of things in my own home, even though I struggle in my own home too. I’m just limiting my exposure to external stimuli in order to keep myself in check. I cannot believe how many symptoms of bipolar disorder I actually have and how much of my energy is spent on trying to keep myself in order. It’s so stressful and so demanding and I’m really hoping that I can get the help I need this time with my therapist and psychiatrist. 😣

[Hidden]

Try to divert your thoughts and look forward to positive changes that will help you move on.

If you know yourself and consider ways of helping yourself your treatment pathways, helped by your health professionals will become easier to handle and hopefully you will move on in a more positive way

Look for diversions, like hobbies and activities you enjoy, immerse your thoughts to things you enjoy to do, this will help you move on

Consider any Day Centres that are in your area, your GP and Health Professionals may be able to advise you on places to go and mix with others who have same problems and help others in the centre

BOB

[NeuronerdDoaty]

Hey you’re not a different person because you received a label and a label doesn’t make you who you are. This doesn’t define you it only helps people and yourself help you. Moving forward you have more knowledge.

The first thing I do when I meet a new doc is tell them ‘I am not my chart’.

We can’t stay stagnant. We learn as we go and play to our strengths. Nothing can stop you unless you let it and I don’t see that happening.

You aren’t a label. You’re a whole person. Live life.

💛

[imasleep123]

I think one of my biggest challenges is going to be breaking out of the shell

I created for myself and being myself again. I’ve been self policing for a long time and I’ve gotten stricter and stricter with myself over the years to the point where I’m struggling to leave my apartment for fear of spiraling out of control. There are even things I won’t let myself do in my own home because I’m scared of getting triggered.