One Bipolar Drama After Another!
I used to have a lot of drama in my life. Much of it was due to my own choices, some of it was due to bipolar disorder causing me to make stupid choices, such as when I get manic.
I have changed completely in the past few years. I’m no longer willing to make decisions and then just hope they turn out ok.
I get too sick when I do this. I have goals in life that I want to reach- speaking to large groups on mental health, reducing the suicide rate in this country, financial stability, physical health, a great romantic relationship- big stuff for sure!
The only way I can accomplish my goals is to examine every potential decision for disaster (drama!) from sending an angry email to saying yes to a request when I definitely need to say no. I’ve learned to ask myself the following questions:
– Will it make me sick?
– Has it made me sick in the past?
– Am I manic?
– Is depression clouding my judgment?
– How will my decision make me feel tomorrow, next week and into the future?
I also have a lot of people in my life who will ask the questions for me and really make me mad! But I need their judgment in case I’m making a decision when I’m sick.
I got well enough to really examine my life by using my Health Cards Treatment Plan- I kept seeing the same mistakes over and over again. When you see them in writing it really helps you make changes!
This is still a constant exercise- I’ve learned to slow down a bit. I’m at over 75% success right now in my decision making. Considering that I used to do everything blindly, this is pretty good!
I have almost no drama in my life these days.
Julie
PS: If you look to the upper right of this blog- you will see a graphic with a CD and my books. This link takes you to the Health Cards page to read more about the system.
Julie: I completely understand where you are coming from with the drama. I, too, have made rash decisions in the heat of a manic episode. I, too, have sent too many emails that I now regret sending. My father bought me your books as a birthday present last year and I have devoured every bit of information that they have. I was diagnosed in 2007 after 12 years of suffering and doctor after doctor missing the diagnosis. I am Bipolar type II and it has been a struggle for my husband and kids. Luckily I have a great doctor now and a super supportive husband. Thank you for your books. I am currently reading and highlighting “BIPOLAR HAPPENS: TIPS and TRICKS to MANAGE BIPOLAR DISORDER.” Thanks for offering me some hope.
-Heather
Hello Heather!
Thanks for such a positive message. We all need to hear the good stories! I’m going into a recording studio next week to record Bipolar Happens on CD!
Julie
Hi Julie!
My prescriber and therapist contend that my lifestyle is the root of many of my problems. I just can’t seem to even visualize what a calmer lifestyle would look like let alone try for it. I have three children – one with special needs -, I work around 40 hours a week, I commute for an hour each direction and I manage the household. Yes I do have a husband which helps take some of the pressure off and then in other ways puts more pressure on. I also dabble in a party plan business and am trying to lose weight and get healthier – including starting training for a half-marathon. This probably sounds bananas to other people but I’m just not sure what to cut out. I have never known anything else. I have trouble stepping away from the cape I guess. Any input would be great.
Thanks
– Melissa –
hay , im a fellow manic arse bi polar chic. Where do i get to release and rant and rave about how god damn boring the world around me is?
I live with other girls, NORMAL girls and they cant be arsed listening to me anymore. Where can i be heard?
Mandy Moo
Im just saying, its friday nite, im bored have no pple to go and dance with and…. well … i dont know just like to chat and these girls are all internet frieks. what happened to the lost art of conversation?
Please be careful not to Stigmatize and call Bipolar a “Life Style” many people do everything they can and don’t want this “drama” in their life. Like me I do not include my family with my illness. I’ve learned to control myself around my sons so they don’t have to be affected.
Thank you
Melissa’s comment sounds a bit like me – but without the half-marathon training or party plan business (although I’ve tried that, too)!
I’ve discovered that I like to get up quite early in the morning (3:30 or 4:00) during the week as I work best first thing in the morning. I enjoy watching the world wake up and listening to the birds welcome the day. I get up around 5:30 on weekends. Rising that early allows me to get to the stores early and complete my shopping without tons of people there, which I prefer.
I found that working more than one job was just too much for me, although if I tutor I can handle the extra workload (I’m a teacher). At one point, just to make ends meet, I was working three jobs, seven days a week. Whew – no wonder I needed hospitalization during that time – and not just once!
I’ve made sure that I allow time just for me to enjoy life each day. That, plus an easier workload (I’m not tutoring this year), have made my life much more pleasant. When I’m feeling stressed, it’s because I’ve planned too much or over-committed myself. Then I need to cut back to manage my mental health. I’ve learned that my mental health comes first and everything else follows.
I’ve also found that as my three children got older, life became a bit easier. There have been some trials associated with their teen and college years, but for the most part, I have more time for myself as they have developed their own interests and spend time with their friends. When they were younger, it was much more tiring to be a mom.
Sandra