Anyone suffer with mental health or bipolar offer advice?

[xxsteffyxx]

Hi everyone...

Firstly, I am steph I have a (nearly) 3 year old son. I love him to the world and back! I am a single momma and have been since he was 6 weeks old, it has never been straight forward since then.

I have bipolar disorder. Only two people know in the entire world! One of them is me... I was diagnosed officially when I was 6 months pregnant. I also have conversion disorder which causes me to have blackouts and fits during very stressful periods.

So anyway... Long story short how do you cope during low moments or if you have bipolar then you know when you are having changes, when your mood fluctuates? Can anyone offer advice?

I came off medication, stupid idea I know but I want to know how to cope without any form of medications - not a good idea for someone with bipolar I know.

When I had my son he was put on a special 'at rosk' list due to my mental health and since then it has scared me for life whenever I think about seeing a doctor. I'm too scared they'll take him away xx

 

[aimee-lou]

I don't have bipolar but have recurring episodes of depression brought about by my thyroid disorder.

I was offered medication a few months ago and refused - i wanted to help myself. My hubby heard on the radio about mindfulness. I bought a book and haven't looked back since. I have improved my diet and take a good quality multi vitamin and try to walk outside everyday. The exercises really help and i can honestly say that i feel much better. While i dont know if it would help greatly, i have personally found it very helpful and positive.

Hope this helps and things improve for you. Could you speak to your go about alternative therapies you could try. They will not punish you for trying to help yourself x

 

[Tink_]

Hi Steph,

I think it's great that you have written this post to try and reach out to people

I don't have bipolar but I do have complex PTSD which causes a lot of anxiety and depression, also I get quite restless/agitated.

I'd say when I am feeling very low, one of the key things to do is to try and keep up with my routine as much as possible. I know it can often feel difficult/impossible but it seems to help. So getting out for a bit each day, sleeping (or trying to!) as you normally would and eating a healthy diet which is not too much or too little.
I also agree with the above about mindfulness.

It's understandable you are scared about the at risk register, although it sounds like you are doing brilliant and in truth they are there to help but I can definitely appreciate the fear as it is something that I have thought about at great length whilst TTC so I can imagine it is even more terrifying when you have your little one in your arms!

Another thing I would say that helps me is to keep talking to others. I don't often talk to professionals although I have them involved, there isn't one I have clicked with as such so I look a lot for support online and I also give support back. I find this helps because it's nice to know you aren't alone and when you give support back I guess it helps to give a sense of belonging somewhere/being a help to others etc. It might be worth looking in to some online forums for mental health or any groups on facebook etc?

If you ever need to chat, feel free to message me

x

 

[Sb86]

Dunno if the OP ever looks at this now buuuut, I have borderline personality disorder and depression. Been on medication since I was 20 - im 28 now. Anti depressants, anti psychotics, valium and sleeping pills.

My moods are up and down like a yo-yo. Since finding out I was pregnant I've come off my meds cold turkey - bad idea. withdrawal from these things are not fun.
And I can't say pregnancy is keeping my moods stable either!

So when I'm low, im gonna be honest and tell you I don't do anything. I let it out and I cry. I have spent years in therapy with CBT and DBT and most recently Mindfullness.. Again being honest, I can't say I benefitted..
Talking does help though if you do have someone to talk to.