Looking for Awesome Bipolar MFP Friends!

Jess732008

I too have bipolar disorder and unless someone has it or is really close to it, they don't understand. It's not always about over eating. A LOT of days it's literally hard to get out of bed much less have the energy to exercise.

Feel free to add me. I've been struggling with it since I was diagnosed at 16. I don't have insurance right now though so I haven't been on meds for it in about 2 years... so although I don't have the med side effects, I also don't have them helping my mental state to keep on track.

I am exactly the same way. It is so hard to get out of bed not because I am so unhappy just because I feel so tired and sleepy. I actually like life but still feel the wanting to die feelings and can find myself sleeping too much if I do not take my drugs.

Elsie_Brownraisin

...

I believe in responsibility and accountability in treatment as well as everyday life. Also, if your meds are causing adverse side effects you need to have them reevaluated by a psychiatrist. Again, I understand where you at but don't place your weight gain on a diagnosis.


Signed, Therapist, Psychologist, QMHP, and counselor.

As someone has already mentioned, it's a trade off. I complained about weight gain several years ago and the psychiatrist gave me a sharp look and told me it was better than being dead (real empathetic there too...)

OP, I take the same combination nowadays. I have managed to lose weight, but it's taking a really long time. I have had periods where weight loss is the last thing on my mind and I tend to overeat, drink too much alcohol and spend a lot of time in a horizontal position when depressed. The last thing I want to do is eat fruit or go for a walk, I don't deserve it or have the energy. Then I gain back some of the weight I have lost.

Feel free to add me if you like, I'm not in your specific situation of course, but I know how cr*p it can be and hope things improve for you soon.

instantclarity

I suspect that any real "therapist, psychologist, QMHP, and counselor" (redundant list of credentials - three of the four are pretty much synonymous) would know quite well that weight gain is a very common side effect of almost all of the medications normally used to treat bipolar, in addition to being a very common side effect of depressive episodes. With that said, I am also diagnosed with bipolar, and work in mental health. I just joined MFP a few days ago, and I would love to make friends who know how challenging it can be to strive toward good mental, emotional, and physical health. To the OP, hello, and best wishes to you on your journey!

shellsies93

I have Bipolar I with rapid cycling and up until recently i had it under control, but then alot of personal things happened all at once and i stopped taking care of myself. I am trying to get back in the swing of things, i was succeeding before everything happened, and i know i can again, i just need some support. I would love to be friends with anyone who understands and not judge me, but support me and i will obviously do the same!

renegadegeek

BPII here, diagnosed around 10 years ago. I also have a chronic pain condition call trigeminal neuralgia. I'm luckily off meds these days, after counseling and lifestyle/diet changes. My episodes and swings are pretty minimal, but when a bad depressive phase hits, I tend to comfort eat, and I end up gaining. Granted these days, it's 10 pounds after a rough winter not 50, so I take it for a win. I've learned to make better choices and care for myself better, so that I can take care of the others in my life.

Hang in there. You can do this. You'll find what works for you.