Comments on: Bipolar Disorder and a Rental Car http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-a-rental-car/ Learn about bipolar disorder, it's symptoms, medication side effects and how to create stability Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:53:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Michelle http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-a-rental-car/comment-page-1/#comment-721 Michelle Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:18:57 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2009/01/08/bipolar-disorder-and-a-rental-car/#comment-721 Something that really helps me when I'm stuck somewhere with no one and can't get out is to take a taxi. Yes it's expensive but I have credit and I don't do it very often. It both gets me out of my house and gives me someone to talk to. It also distracts me. And I feel special riding in a taxi, like I'm someone who's important. I don't own a car or drive so I'm usually on the bus or trolley and to have that luxury every once in awhile is really nice. I'm treating myself. The trick is not guilt-tripping myself over the cost! I did pretty well with that last week. I had to take a taxi twice because I missed the bus to my program, $50 bucks each time! Ack! But I was able to accept that that was a choice I had made to be there on time and to take care of myself. :) Hi Michelle, I just can't believe I didn't think of that. A taxi would have been cheaper than the price of the rental car anyway. I could have at least gone to a shopping center where I could write! I drive everywhere in Portland, so a taxi was not on my mind. Thanks for this suggestion. I think it will help a lot of people. Julie Something that really helps me when I’m stuck somewhere with no one and can’t get out is to take a taxi. Yes it’s expensive but I have credit and I don’t do it very often. It both gets me out of my house and gives me someone to talk to. It also distracts me. And I feel special riding in a taxi, like I’m someone who’s important. I don’t own a car or drive so I’m usually on the bus or trolley and to have that luxury every once in awhile is really nice. I’m treating myself. The trick is not guilt-tripping myself over the cost! I did pretty well with that last week. I had to take a taxi twice because I missed the bus to my program, $50 bucks each time! Ack! But I was able to accept that that was a choice I had made to be there on time and to take care of myself. :)

Hi Michelle,

I just can’t believe I didn’t think of that. A taxi would have been cheaper than the price of the rental car anyway. I could have at least gone to a shopping center where I could write! I drive everywhere in Portland, so a taxi was not on my mind. Thanks for this suggestion. I think it will help a lot of people.

Julie

]]> By: Sandra http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-a-rental-car/comment-page-1/#comment-708 Sandra Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:11:12 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2009/01/08/bipolar-disorder-and-a-rental-car/#comment-708 Dear Julie, I guess you can chalk up that rental car episode up to experience, eh? Sometimes we really do not know what will be a trigger for us until we've experienced it. Don't be so hard on yourself - you were in Florida, wanted to go to the beach, and that was the only car the agency had. I would've done the same thing! (Even the panic attack - I don't navigate too well in unknown areas, and nearby Washington, D.C. is a mass of one-way streets!) Perhaps you can congratulate yourself for at least trying to get to the beach yesterday, despite having a dirty car, a non-working GPS, etc. And you can also recognize when to stop trying to work, rather than getting more frustrated and panicky by working when you really shouldn't. Can you ask for a deadline postponement if you're really feeling stressed? I hope today goes MUCH better for you! Sincerely, Sandra Hi Sandra, You are right. It helps to have the perspective of another person. It's hard when you're in the middle of crying and wondering why things always seem to go wrong. Things don't always go wrong of course- but it sure feels like it when you're in the situation. I'm better today. I'm just staying in my friend's beautiful backyard instead of driving around. I can do that with her. She has a better car anyway! Julie Dear Julie,

I guess you can chalk up that rental car episode up to experience, eh? Sometimes we really do not know what will be a trigger for us until we’ve experienced it. Don’t be so hard on yourself – you were in Florida, wanted to go to the beach, and that was the only car the agency had. I would’ve done the same thing! (Even the panic attack – I don’t navigate too well in unknown areas, and nearby Washington, D.C. is a mass of one-way streets!)

Perhaps you can congratulate yourself for at least trying to get to the beach yesterday, despite having a dirty car, a non-working GPS, etc. And you can also recognize when to stop trying to work, rather than getting more frustrated and panicky by working when you really shouldn’t. Can you ask for a deadline postponement if you’re really feeling stressed?

I hope today goes MUCH better for you!

Sincerely,
Sandra

Hi Sandra,

You are right. It helps to have the perspective of another person. It’s hard when you’re in the middle of crying and wondering why things always seem to go wrong. Things don’t always go wrong of course- but it sure feels like it when you’re in the situation. I’m better today. I’m just staying in my friend’s beautiful backyard instead of driving around. I can do that with her. She has a better car anyway!

Julie

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