Of course you can lead a somewhat normal life and be very successful at what you do. Most if not all people that I have personally meet living with the illness are highly intelligent and tend to get into trouble when boredom hits. I would think that the stress of getting the property issues resolved will help and that you need to cut yourself some slack.

I know all about small town talk and sometimes that’s not a bad thing. It seems when anyone from our area is in need….most come together to help and offer support even when it is a mental illness. Most of the time if it is someone bad mouthing you, usually its because their jealous of what you have or just plain miserable in general and what everyone else to feel like crap. Pay no attention and smile a lot.

Other thought would be for marriage # 3 is to marry a man in his 90’s on his last leg that has monies and plenty of land with you being the only next of kin?

Welcome Mel!

I look forward to getting to know you here on BipolarConnect.

Dear Mel,  I am 56 and have suffered from Clinical Depression about every 10 years on the same month until I was treated with Effexor and lorezapam.  I still felt like I was in a dark hole and my brain always felt like a rocking boat.

Finally, In 2002, I was diagnoised with bipolar 2--depression/lower mania.  I was put on Seroquel, Lamictal--mood stabilizer, and Ambiem cr for 8 hours of sleep.  It is really important to keep your bedroom as quiet as possible.  Our problem comes when the dogs need to go outside during the night, etc.  So it is important to keep your night clear of any noise so you can get deep sleep for the night.  Whether bipolar or not, without enought sleep the whole world "looks" totally different until you get enough sleep.  Deep sleep has everything to do with how you feel the next day.

Sometimes we wish we did not need meds,  but unfortunately our perceptions about everything is off and we feel anxious because there is a lack in our brain and the right medication helps that.  I have read that people that suffer from Bipolar, clinical depression are extremely intelligent and usually are gifted in the arts.  Just punch in your computer "famous people with bipolar and you will be surprised by how many people you will recognize.

It is important to find a good doctor and if one or two, etc syptom have  bloodwork done every year to check cholestrol, thyroid and other factors, including having Vit D-3--especially if you are not getting proper sunlight.  Also, you want to take Omega 3,6,9 and can buy that combination in the health food store.  Unfortunately, I am taking it in cherry flavored Cod Liver Oil--that is just the form my doctor is giving to me.  I thought we had been given enough Cod live oil in the 50's to last a lifetime!!!  Also, Multi-vit and Vit B stress are helpful.

Finally, research as much as you can, learn from others and it will be fun--because I just joined too and we will learn from each other.