Comments for National Bipolar Foundation http://nbpf.org/newblog Discuss Issues About Bipolar Disorder Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:46:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Welcome by Helene http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-653 Helene Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:46:13 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-653 Hello to everyone, I too was diagnosed with bipolar about 14 years ago...I am doing well at the present moment, but there are times when I wish I did not have this disease...It is not about accepting it but to try and live with it everyday. I have not lost a friend, but not all of my friends know that I have this...You wish you could tell the World about it, but you never know who could turn your back on you and suddenly stab you in the back! (Sort of speak)...I wo wish all the best to the new commers and never to disper because help is always there! Hélène Hello to everyone,

I too was diagnosed with bipolar about 14 years ago…I am doing well at the present moment, but there are times when I wish I did not have this disease…It is not about accepting it but to try and live with it everyday. I have not lost a friend, but not all of my friends know that I have this…You wish you could tell the World about it, but you never know who could turn your back on you and suddenly stab you in the back! (Sort of speak)…I wo wish all the best to the new commers and never to disper because help is always there!
Hélène

]]> Comment on Welcome by Mary http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-652 Mary Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:37:00 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-652 I wish people knew how things can set us off. The other day I had a major setback by people trying to control my mother's estate. They made some comments to me that made my anxiety come up so bad I thought I would have to go to the hospital. It took several days to get past this. I still feel like it did some permanent damage to me. I have always shared with people that I am bipolsr. I don't mean I say, "Hey, I'm bipolar." Sometimes it just comes up in conversation and I tell them. I wish people knew how things can set us off. The other day I had a major setback by people trying to control my mother’s estate. They made some comments to me that made my anxiety come up so bad I thought I would have to go to the hospital. It took several days to get past this. I still feel like it did some permanent damage to me. I have always shared with people that I am bipolsr. I don’t mean I say, “Hey, I’m bipolar.” Sometimes it just comes up in conversation and I tell them.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Loni http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-651 Loni Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:09:16 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-651 I was just diagnosed with bipolar 6 weeks ago and I've know I was for a couple years now. My dad killed himself 4 years ago (on June 12th) and all I knew at the time was he was a manic deppresant, which now I know is the same thing as bipolar. I started taking Topirimate 3 weeks ago and I was just wondering if anyone else has tried it? I do feel a bit better but haven't noticed much of a difference. I haven't recieved a whole lot of support from my mom which is making this process a little harder so finding this site tonight was awesome! I feel so much better already! Another question I have is does anyone know of a website that I could have my mom go and read about so that maybe she can understand what I'm feeling and going through? I've tried to explain it to her but I don't really know what I'm feeling so it is hard to explain it to someone else?! I was just diagnosed with bipolar 6 weeks ago and I’ve know I was for a couple years now. My dad killed himself 4 years ago (on June 12th) and all I knew at the time was he was a manic deppresant, which now I know is the same thing as bipolar. I started taking Topirimate 3 weeks ago and I was just wondering if anyone else has tried it? I do feel a bit better but haven’t noticed much of a difference. I haven’t recieved a whole lot of support from my mom which is making this process a little harder so finding this site tonight was awesome! I feel so much better already! Another question I have is does anyone know of a website that I could have my mom go and read about so that maybe she can understand what I’m feeling and going through? I’ve tried to explain it to her but I don’t really know what I’m feeling so it is hard to explain it to someone else?!

]]> Comment on Welcome by Maricela Estrada http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-650 Maricela Estrada Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:12:43 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-650 This message is for Brenda. She left a comment on 11/9/2009. Brenda I am surviving bipolar disorder and depression. I have had three very serious suicide attempts. This last attempt made me realize I don't want to die by my own hand. I suffered greatly. I feel if your daughter talks about suicide so far as to she knows what she would write on the note, then maybe she needs to be on a 51/50. Which is a 72 danger to self psychiatric hospitalization. I would also encourage her to call suicide prevention at 1877 727-4747. When I obsess over killing myself I know I need help, so many times I drive myself to the hospital so I can be safe. The beauty of it is there is so much HOPE for people like myself and your daughter. There are a lot of great anti-depressants that have very little side affects. Currently, I'm taking Wellbutrin and I no longer have suicidal ideations. I think maybe she needs to explore which medications works best for her. Other anti-depressants that I have been on are Cymbalta and Celexa. I think maybe she should talk to her psychiatrist about her medications options. I also think therapy would help her. Maybe the Department of Mental Health can help. I'm not sure what state you live in. I am so happy to be alive at this moment. I am very lucky and blessed that I have survived suicide. One of my boyfriends once told me, "Maricela if you were to kill yourself today you would never know if tomorrow would've been a better day." What he told me is so true and I always think of what he said that's why now I admit myself to a mental hospital if I have those thoughts, Brebda I would like to commend you. You sound like a great mother that cares and loves her daughter and is trying to get her help. May God bless you and your family. I published a booked titled Bipolar Girl: My Psychotic Self last year. I will be happy to donate a copy to your daughter. My depression started in middle school and my first attempt was at age 14. It sounds like your daughter wants to get help and that's wonderful. If you ever need any type of support or need someone to talk to that understands your daughter feel free to email me at mestrada2006@yahoo.com. Always remember there is HOPE. I'm a suicide survivor and I am positive that suicide is not in my future. Take care of yourself and tell your daughter I said, she is not alone and she can get through this just as I did. This message is for Brenda. She left a comment on 11/9/2009. Brenda I am surviving bipolar disorder and depression. I have had three very serious suicide attempts. This last attempt made me realize I don’t want to die by my own hand. I suffered greatly. I feel if your daughter talks about suicide so far as to she knows what she would write on the note, then maybe she needs to be on a 51/50. Which is a 72 danger to self psychiatric hospitalization. I would also encourage her to call suicide prevention at 1877 727-4747. When I obsess over killing myself I know I need help, so many times I drive myself to the hospital so I can be safe. The beauty of it is there is so much HOPE for people like myself and your daughter. There are a lot of great anti-depressants that have very little side affects. Currently, I’m taking Wellbutrin and I no longer have suicidal ideations. I think maybe she needs to explore which medications works best for her. Other anti-depressants that I have been on are Cymbalta and Celexa. I think maybe she should talk to her psychiatrist about her medications options. I also think therapy would help her. Maybe the Department of Mental Health can help. I’m not sure what state you live in. I am so happy to be alive at this moment. I am very lucky and blessed that I have survived suicide. One of my boyfriends once told me, “Maricela if you were to kill yourself today you would never know if tomorrow would’ve been a better day.” What he told me is so true and I always think of what he said that’s why now I admit myself to a mental hospital if I have those thoughts, Brebda I would like to commend you. You sound like a great mother that cares and loves her daughter and is trying to get her help. May God bless you and your family. I published a booked titled Bipolar Girl: My Psychotic Self last year. I will be happy to donate a copy to your daughter. My depression started in middle school and my first attempt was at age 14. It sounds like your daughter wants to get help and that’s wonderful. If you ever need any type of support or need someone to talk to that understands your daughter feel free to email me at mestrada2006@yahoo.com. Always remember there is HOPE. I’m a suicide survivor and I am positive that suicide is not in my future. Take care of yourself and tell your daughter I said, she is not alone and she can get through this just as I did.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Dawn Turner http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-648 Dawn Turner Fri, 21 May 2010 18:16:32 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-648 I have a rapid cycling bipolar disorder with mixed cycles. I it very hard to medicate and hard to control. People find it so hard to understand that I still have problems even though I am on medication. I wish they knew that there were differen types of bipolar disorders. Dawn I have a rapid cycling bipolar disorder with mixed cycles. I it very hard to medicate and hard to control. People find it so hard to understand that I still have problems even though I am on medication. I wish they knew that there were differen types of bipolar disorders. Dawn

]]> Comment on Welcome by John Breidenbach http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-644 John Breidenbach Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:33:40 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-644 I showed signs of juvenile bipolar in the 1960's. I had my first and only hospitalization with severe depression when I was 18. I was finally diagnosed properly with bipolar II at age 25. I am now 51, and with medication I have lived a life without "severe" symptoms of depression or mania. Nonetheless, it has affected my life especially with regard to employment. I work for a non-profit which has been supportive over the years. I have attempted a handful of times to work in an administrative role, but I am unable primarily because of poor judgement, impulsivity, and a too high degree of emotional involvement with employees under my supervision. I lack the ability to make the necessary boundaries between employee and friend. I attribute this to my bipolar, because my errors in poor judgement and impulsive behavior have been excessive and remain a constant. I quickly come under duress and stress when placed in a position where I am in charge. I attribute my spiritual and religious upbringing as my greatest tool to aid me with an illness that, even with medication and counseling, allows me to go beyond surviving to living with bipolar. I showed signs of juvenile bipolar in the 1960’s. I had my first and only hospitalization with severe depression when I was 18. I was finally diagnosed properly with bipolar II at age 25. I am now 51, and with medication I have lived a life without “severe” symptoms of depression or mania. Nonetheless, it has affected my life especially with regard to employment. I work for a non-profit which has been supportive over the years. I have attempted a handful of times to work in an administrative role, but I am unable primarily because of poor judgement, impulsivity, and a too high degree of emotional involvement with employees under my supervision. I lack the ability to make the necessary boundaries between employee and friend. I attribute this to my bipolar, because my errors in poor judgement and impulsive behavior have been excessive and remain a constant. I quickly come under duress and stress when placed in a position where I am in charge.

I attribute my spiritual and religious upbringing as my greatest tool to aid me with an illness that, even with medication and counseling, allows me to go beyond surviving to living with bipolar.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Richard Stephenson http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-147 Richard Stephenson Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:55:50 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-147 I have been bipolar forever. I was not diagnosised until in my early sixties and I am 68 now. I know my folks tend to live long acording to my geneology but I "ain't" getting no younger. You guys have given me hope, a hope that I can somehow, someway, make up a little for all the lost opportunities of my life. I am the caregiver to my wife who has dementia, probably alzheimers, and take a lot of my time. So come on now I haven't stopped living, use me and whatever meager talents I may have. Times a wasting. Peace... I have been bipolar forever. I was not diagnosised until in my early sixties and I am 68 now. I know my folks tend to live long acording to my geneology but I “ain’t” getting no younger. You guys have given me hope, a hope that I can somehow, someway, make up a little for all the lost opportunities of my life. I am the caregiver to my wife who has dementia, probably alzheimers, and take a lot of my time. So come on now I haven’t stopped living, use me and whatever meager talents I may have. Times a wasting.
Peace…

]]> Comment on Nancy Foster Blog #2 by Maricela Estrada http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=88&cpage#comment-98 Maricela Estrada Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:17:26 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=88#comment-98 what a beautiful story of strength and triump. Many of the symptoms and outlooks on bipolar disorder that Nancy has written about, I have written about as well. Being bipolar I can relate in so many way. I want to thank Nancy for sharing her story that has trult touched my heart. My she continue to be an inspiration and vessel of hope to all of us. God Bless what a beautiful story of strength and triump. Many of the symptoms and outlooks on bipolar disorder that Nancy has written about, I have written about as well. Being bipolar I can relate in so many way. I want to thank Nancy for sharing her story that has trult touched my heart. My she continue to be an inspiration and vessel of hope to all of us.
God Bless

]]> Comment on #9 Health Care&Medic Alert Bracelets(Whiteroses1957) by Jan http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=68&cpage#comment-87 Jan Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:13:17 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=68#comment-87 My daughter is bipolar and also has basilar migraines. Both conditions could cause her to act erratically in public, so we thought it was not worth taking a chance and she wears a medic alert bracelt. My daughter is bipolar and also has basilar migraines. Both conditions could cause her to act erratically in public, so we thought it was not worth taking a chance and she wears a medic alert bracelt.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Betty http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3&cpage#comment-71 Betty Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:31:19 +0000 http://nbpf.org/newblog/?p=3#comment-71 I am thrilled to have found this website. My father caught an article about NBF in the medic alert magazine - great idea to link with medic alert! I'm 37 and have been diagnosed bipolar since the age of 13 shortly after one of my first episodes. For a long time, there was no help. I remember the high school counselor and principal taking me aside several times and asking if I was on drugs - misreading my behavior as a cocaine habit. It wasn't until college that I finally found help that understood. By then I had already been self-medicating with caffeine, sugar and alcohol. While on the verge of checking myself into a psych hospital for a while, I discovered that I could have some control if I just changed some things in my life. Drastic changes to get rid of the things that were not working. The doctors managed to get the right medication for me when migraines complicated things; the "magic blue pill." It was the first step in lifting the cloud of depression and helping me find a way out other than suicidal thoughts or reckless/careless behavior. My college notebooks finally were filled with notes instead of 'good-bye letters.' Living with bipolar means knowing yourself, watching yourself and learning to adapt yourself to the changes both with-out and -in. Medication is only an aid to help lift the bindings of depression and mania so that we can better adjust to what life brings our way. I am thrilled to have found this website. My father caught an article about NBF in the medic alert magazine – great idea to link with medic alert!
I’m 37 and have been diagnosed bipolar since the age of 13 shortly after one of my first episodes. For a long time, there was no help. I remember the high school counselor and principal taking me aside several times and asking if I was on drugs – misreading my behavior as a cocaine habit.
It wasn’t until college that I finally found help that understood. By then I had already been self-medicating with caffeine, sugar and alcohol. While on the verge of checking myself into a psych hospital for a while, I discovered that I could have some control if I just changed some things in my life. Drastic changes to get rid of the things that were not working. The doctors managed to get the right medication for me when migraines complicated things; the “magic blue pill.” It was the first step in lifting the cloud of depression and helping me find a way out other than suicidal thoughts or reckless/careless behavior. My college notebooks finally were filled with notes instead of ‘good-bye letters.’
Living with bipolar means knowing yourself, watching yourself and learning to adapt yourself to the changes both with-out and -in. Medication is only an aid to help lift the bindings of depression and mania so that we can better adjust to what life brings our way.

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