Life is Good, So is Knowing My Limits

By John McManamy, Health Guide Monday, June 25, 2007

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I’m back in my splendid isolation 3,500 feet up in the mountains 40 miles outside of San Diego. I am very glad to be back. The previous four days I was hard at work connecting with people “down the hill” at the NAMI national convention. I was very glad to be there, too. I have been to ...

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dolle

6/27/07 3:58pm

I am in such awe as I read what you are doing, where you have been, etc. I have to admit I feel totally worthless. How do you do it? I was looking at the DBSA conference and thinking I would LOVE to go but I could never do it. The idea of going inspires and frightens me to such a degree that I feel a leaden paralysis. You do so much - writing, lecturing, advocating for mental illness and I can't even clean my fricking house. I am sorry I have rambled on but how do you do it? dolle

John McManamy, Health Guide

6/27/07 10:20pm

Hi, Dolle. Don't beat yourself up. I have more lost years of my life than I care to admit to. Here's what you do: If you feel you can make a stretch, why don't you sign up for the DBSA conference. We can arrange to meet, and I can introduce you to some people who will make you feel right at home. You will be in a very friendly and supportive atmosphere, and there's plenty of scope for private "me" time. Let me know what you think -

dolle

7/18/07 4:11pm

I think you are a very kind, considerate, intelligent man. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your vast knowledge. It makes it even harder to admit that I am just not at a place yet where I can attend this conference. I wish more than anything that I could but my husband already is overwhelmed with my medical/medication expenses. I don't think he would understand the expense of going to the DBSA conference. Thank you for considering meeting me and helping. I am determined that I WILL attend a conference one day and you will be the first to know. Thank you again, dolle

Angie

6/29/07 10:16am

First of all, I want to thank you, John, for your book, and continued work for all of us with Bipolar. Just as I was about to shake my head in amazement at how you could keep up such a pace in the past few weeks, you reaffirmed what I already know: that we (I) must have quiet time, preferably alone, in order to stay well. In one of my hypomanic, well-rested moods, I thought that I could keep my four children with me all summer (they live with their dad). After three weeks I was so irritable and TIRED of sensory input. I am learning I cannot beat myself up over this. A healthy part-time mother is better than a mother in the hospital, which is what happened last year, (AKA learning the hard way). I feel my mental health bank balance going up. Soon we'll all be at the dinner table again!

from Angie in Ohio

John McManamy, Health Guide

6/29/07 9:58pm

Hi, Angie. I envy those "unipolar hypomanics" who can go go go forever. Think of your typical presidential candidate. But most of us can only keep that up for a short time. I'm very glad you learned how to be smart about pacing yourself. I had to learn the hard way, too.

Meg

6/29/07 11:51am

Your post was r-e-a-l-l-y helpful. I am trying to adjust to my situation. I didn't realize I was bipolar until this year because my highs didn't seem very high. But I think I understand what you are saying about the introvert-extravert thing. If I have to put on the happy face and be the extravert, it is exhausting and I need time to recover. But because I am able to do it well (for now)- others don't understand the strain it brings to force myself to be up when I don't feel it. I seem able to get in gear most of the time like you said because a mildly manic phase seems to kick in and get me through it.

Thanks.

John McManamy, Health Guide

6/29/07 10:04pm

Hi, Meg. Thank heaven for people. But also thank heaven for being away from people. I'm still learning how to find the right balance.

Life is Good, So is Knowing My Limits

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