Q: I've been diagnosed with bi-polar depression and have been told I've had it all my life
Hi again
Can you tell us when you were diagnosed? This is a huge deal to be diagnosed with this type of mood disorder. I am sure that you are experiencing some shock and grief over this. What type of Bipolar do you have...one or two?
I want you to have some hope that...there are many people who have Bipolar Disorder who are able to manage it and lead good lives...so please don't despair.
I am glad you are here...
Life is crazy huh?
I think Bipolar Disorder is a hard mood disorder to diagnose becaue therapists tend to dwell on the depression part...and hey if you are feeling energized...they might overlook that this might be mania.
I bet it was a shock but maybe it puts things into perspective?
Yes absolutely...talk away...we are here for you.
Hey snowdreamer, do not feel bad, I have MS, and at the ripe old young age of 44 when it decided to rear it's head, I was told that I had it all my life. So when I sat down and started to look back, I began to see all of the signs. So I educted myself, nd began to try and take charge of my illness and all of the baggage that goes along with it. Depression was one of those baggages. But I refuse to give in, I refuse to let these illnesses dicate how I am going to live my life. You have to be in charge. I is a mind thing. It is not going to be easy, in fact it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but no one ever said life was easy. But I am going to be fine, and you will also, I promise. sherry/smomdukes
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Hi sweetie, your comments make me feel much better and I will hold on to your words and look in the mirror everyday and remember what you said.
I was diagnosed this time last year and I have Bi-polar depression is what they called it. I have to up episodes where I have all kinds of energy and can't sleep and so on, mine is no sleep but miserable and depressed all the time sometimes to the point of just sitting and staring at the tv....the only reason I get out of bed is I watch my 3yr old grandson and if it wasn't for him I'd be worse but thanks to him I at least am out of bed :-)
It was just a shock to hear I had something like this and when I think back on my life I realized I have had this almost all my life. The symptoms were all there and to think I'd been to 2 therapists over the years and they didn't catch it but I go to one more and here I am, now I've had 4 doctors agree with the diagnosis.
My situation now is living with my daughter and her little boy and she takes advantage of me so I'm playing mother and she's playing grandma. I have to remedy that situation but don't know exactly how, I have talked to her but it always goes back. I want a place of my own where she will have to be mommy and he will come over to be with grandma but can't afford it yet. I worry about my kids I have 3 and my oldest son is in trouble with addiction to pain pills and no job and it's just a mess.
I'm glad I found this site and happy to hear from you, hope we can continue to talk more.