Bi-Polar bear
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- kidswift-
So I was diagnosed with this rare gift about two years ago. Have been on Meds up until last week where upon I thought f**k this, if this is who I am then I am gonna just deal without 100% pure. But know starting to get quite manic again and makes work kinda hard to deal with and somewhat problematic as I feel like a monkey chewing on a powercable at the moment. My question is, is anyone else out there got the same thing or can drop me advice on how they deal with episodes whilst at work. Oh yeah and my day time job is in a big suit and tie type orifice not some sorta fun filled design house where I would no doubt be paid extra!
- k0na_an0k0
first and foremost get rid of all your weapons.
and/or never take your weapons to work in case of an episode.
- kidswift-0
Does ultramagnetic manic energy count as a weapon?
The inability to sit still or stop ranting at a million miles per hour??
- harlequino0
What kind of discussion have you had with your doctor about staying on or off your meds?
- timajick0
get a more suitable job
- Jaline0
It's interesting to see how you'd be without meds, but usually it doesn't end well. I think you should discuss it with someone...
- kidswift-0
Thats part of the problem as I have moved so many times in the last year in London i have had too many docs who don't know my history. I never went onto Lithium which once your on you pretty much on it for life. I ran with the advice I was told, that if you are episode free for 6mths or more than you can look at reducing you meds or stopping them. I went for the later as I can't handle a life dependent on drugs and how much they dulled my natural spark. Your right though I should probably try my luck again finding a prof to talk to. Anyone that knows any good calming type techniques let rip though!
- Mal0
If you are freaking or panicking you have to tell yourself 3 things
1. I'm having an episode
2. I'm not going to die
3. this will pass
- Mal0
get a more suitable job
timajick
(Sep 29 06, 09:11)Agreed
- billl0
ask carver?
- ninjasavant0
I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with Type I bi-polar which means my moods rapid cycle and I have the severe highs and lows but not in a delusional way. They put me on a low dose of prozac and a higher dose of valproic acid. It took me from _-_-_-_- to ~~~~~~~. I didn't like the fact that I then found my designs to be bland and uninteresting and I found that I missed 'manic rob' despite the fact that he won't let me sleep for more than 5 hours a night for a week at a time after which I can't get up before 9 when my seratonin crashes.
So I stopped taking the meds. My girlfriend complains that I'm impossible half the time now and she liked me better on the meds because I was more agreeable. However, I don't like me on meds and liking yourself is more important.
So the advice I give is based on first hand knowledge and my psych degree. First, roll with it. Just the same as with a panic attack, the more you fight the worse it becomes. When you're manic, ride it and control it as best you can without fighting it. You'll crash at the end but not as hard as if you add mental exhaustion. When you're down, accept it, plan your life around it. Pretending you can function normally when you're in the lows will only exacerbate that problem.
Second, meditate. I'm a terrible buddhist but I still try. Meditating helps get you in touch with your mind and controlling it. It won't 'cure' you but it will take a lot of the edge off to be able to do suggestion one. It also helps keep you grounded so you may not cycle as wildly.
Third, this one I can never stick to but it helps, keep a mood journal. At the end of the day write down how the day went and how you coped if necessary and speculate how you can improve. Doing this will prepare your mind for the cycles. If you're like me you feel like a third party watching this crazy or depressed guy do things you don't understand and every cycle feels kind of like the first time. The journal is like taking notes in class, you'll remember better later.
That's the best I can give you at the moment. Best of luck. You can email me if you have any questions.
rob.
- Mal0
very sound advice ninja.
- Jaline0
yeah, good post, Rob
- uberdesigner_0
boogada boogada
- ********0
get a more suitable job
timajick
(Sep 29 06, 09:11)exactly. a lot of people have similar issues and it gets worse if you spend every day behind a monitor pushing pixels.
well, at least it made me decide to doing something else.
- timajick0
Or a similar job in a more creative environment.
"You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star. "
Friedrich Nietzsche
- Mal0
Yeah you got to embrace the mania.
- ********0
true that.
even my therapist ultimately came to this conclusion.
you need to be able to let it run free and give you peace of mind.
so, look for a (new) challenge.
or more creative freedom if that is what you need.
- foreign0
Here's my experience with this:
I was treated for anxiety and other drug related issues - I had a panic attack mid-flight on a Friday, and booked myself in for treatment the Monday morning - the medication I was on was commonly used by schizo patients, and I was also on anti-depressants. The medication was very strong, I had this thick, chemical feeling in my head all the time. The reason I decided to stop using them was this:
'if I'm not on medication, and I don't need them, then there's nothing wrong with me'.
Who wants to be diagnosed as schizophrenic. I was 21 at the time (25 now). I had also stopped all other drug use, and wanted to stop the prescribed meds as well. Anyway...
I stopped using the anti-depressants first: the withdrawal from these were pretty bad: I felt physically ill for a few weeks, with constant headaches - apparently this is common - but I didn't feel any big mood changes.
A few weeks later I stopped the other medication. (This was really very strong supressants.) The biggest immediate problem with stopping them was insomnia - I got very little sleep for months and months, but my mind/thoughts were clearer. I had a few more panic attacks, but they became less intense every time. Haven't had one for 3 years.
I've been of the meds (and drugs and alcohol) for 4 years now. I still have problems with insomnia, but the last couple of years it's been less frequent; maybe 2/3 nights every couple of weeks. There's been stages where I've been depressed, but nothing I couldn't deal with. Over the last few years, and especially just after stopping the medication I've learned alot about myself, and I've learned to cope with, and identify what's going on mentally and emotionally. I've learned how to 'create' a good working environment (both productively and creatively), how to avoid social situations I'm uncomfortable with, etc.
When I was on the medication I lost relationships, I was unable to resolve bigger issues in my life, I lost alot of drive and energy. At the moment I have problems with creativity (which I think is a direct result of the schizo meds). I also have problems with concentration. I have problems with commitment, I tend to isolate. But maybe alot of these things are just part of my personality. There's no doubt that the medication, and of course the situations leading to me getting treatment changed me.
Anyway, I believe I'm better off for it.
- ********0
This thread is just begging for a timeline.
- timajick0
Intersting story foreign, I'm sure many people can relate to that.