Is it really possible to live with bipolar?

[stinkychick02]

I'm 19(f), I have PTSD from years of traumatic living situations and I suffer from bipolar. All of the mental health care resources I've tried have been jokes, and it seems like all the medication I've tried either has no effect or makes things worse. My life really just seems so pointless and I'm so sick of trying to get better only to spiral right back to where I was 6 months ago. I've been reading statistics on people with bipolar and its so crushing that I don't see the point in putting in so much work when I could just die. I wanted to get better but I think I've just completely run out of hope. Does anyone have any advice on actually making life feel livable, and is it really even worth it?

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

Yes.

Keep trying. Keep trying again. Then again and again and again. Refuse to accept a crappy quality of life.

Everything changed for me when I found a great psychiatrist. He genuinely cared and was at the top of his game. I trusted him with my life and he saved it once.

It took a few bad apples and a couple of people who meant well but just weren't the person I needed before I got to him.

It was still worth it.

 

[passenger27]

Hi.

I'm Bipolar too and also have PTSD so I can relate. But you're so young, things can get better. It just doesn't feel that way right now.

There's still time to get it together. At least try if you can, until you cant anymore. That's the best any of us can do.

You're not alone on this site, there's always somebody to talk to. I've found I can say things on here I would have never dreamt I could say to anybody, even a therapist.

Keep trying if you can. If you absolutely can't, I respect that too. I was 19 once, when dinosaurs walked the earth. I get it.

Good luck to you. I'm sorry you're in a dark place now, but it really can get better.

 

[icravedeath]

Firstly, I want to apologise for the way bipolar and BPD people are treated. They are one of the most hated mental illnesses and it's unfair, the way people treat them is just awful and I suspect that is one of the reasons why they have a high suicide rate.

You can live with it! It doesn't define you. What you are when you're mentally ill isn't really you.

I'm sorry about what you've been through, you can get better, I wish you warmth and luck.

 

[Squiddy]

Firstly, I want to apologise for the way bipolar and BPD people are treated. They are one of the most hated mental illnesses and it's unfair, the way people treat them is just awful and I suspect that is one of the reasons why they have a high suicide rate.

You can live with it! It doesn't define you. What you are when you're mentally ill isn't really you.

I'm sorry about what you've been through, you can get better, I wish you warmth and luck.

I have both bipolar and BPD. Trying to live with both is exhausted and hard. Not a day goes by where I don't think about ctb.

 

[passenger27]

I have both bipolar and BPD. Trying to live with both is exhausted and hard. Not a day goes by where I don't think about ctb.

I totally agree. I have bipolar and agoraphobia and it's impossible to not think of CTB everyday. When you can't leave the house without help all you do is either trivial things or dream of ways to end it all.

 

[BPD Barbie]

I have both Bipolar and BPD as well, they are 2 of the most stigmatised mental illnesses out there in my opinion. We are seen as manipulative, evil, horrible people. We see not seen as unwell. I think that stigma contributes to the suicide rates to be honest. I hope you can find some way to cope, I know it's hard, it's a curse really. But hang in there sending you love

 

[icravedeath]

I have both bipolar and BPD. Trying to live with both is exhausted and hard. Not a day goes by where I don't think about ctb.

I'm so sorry. My ex treated me terribly when he suspected I had BPD (I don't have it, I have CPTSD instead), but it made me realise.... wow! What if I did have BPD? Is this how BPD people are treated? Like they don't even deserve a chance? They are made to feel like a monster? No wonder they end up being one of the most suicidal people.

People try to act progressive and say they support mental illnesses but all they mean is support towards depression or anxiety, they never extend the same kindness towards BPD/bipolar people.

 

[Sensei]

Well, there's no use denying that medication is the most effective form of treatment. However, there are other ways to mitigate symptoms and perhaps also prevent episodes.

Sound sleeping habits: Our so-called clock genes work differently and if we don't sleep well it can makes unstable or trigger episodes. Go to sleep and get up at the same time every day. Make sure to get 6–8 hours of sleep. Use herbs to treat insomnia.

Exercise: Running, swimming, cycling, weightlifting, sports, martial arts, something. Make sure that it really exhausts you so that your brain get showered with endorphines.

Psychoeducation: Read up on your disorder and do it thoroughly. Then you will understand your disorder better and it will become easier for you to handle it. You seem to have started doing this already.

CBT: Psychotherapists can teach you some practical tips on how to handle symptoms and predict episodes. It's not the wonder cure some people claim it to be, but it does de facto help many.

Magnesium, vitamin C, and omega-3: It may sound ridiculous, but it has been shown in studies that magnesium, vitamin C, and omega-3 supplements have a good effect on a substantial minority.

Herbs: These are non-addictive, natural, and sometimes stronger alternatives to benzodiazepines and sleeping pills. The long-term effects are not known, though.