Please know that I never post when I am sick. You NEVER have to worry about me.
I have a story to share. Please know it comes from a place of stability.
Social media is for helping others and to do this, I must be stable. This is why I keep my social media small and manageable. I only post after I have managed my current mood swing.
I lost a loved one to cancer over the holidays. It was not unexpected and he and I planned for the day he would no longer be in physical form.
I still got VERY sick for weeks… first with weepy depression and then a bit of psychosis and then an awful, scary, catatonic depression.
I knew what it was. This was the bipolar. I won’t minimize it and say that managing my mood was easy. It was horrific, but I did it.
I Treat Bipolar First in all areas of life so that I can have real emotions.. such as grief.
Over 30 years ago when my best friend Mia died from cancer, I didn’t know I had bipolar. I was sick for two years due to the shock of her death. It cost me a marriage to a wonderful man. I had no plan.
Now that I have a correct diagnosis and a plan, I can recognize the difference between bipolar symptoms and grief. I can stop everything to manage the bipolar and then move on with grieving.
A bipolar management plan is the only thing that keeps me going. It’s the plan in my books. I use it every day. Bipolar is genetic, but it’s greatly triggered by the environment.
Just as a person with serious asthma needs to always be alert to mold triggers or a person with diabetes must be aware of anything that affects insulin. I, as a person with bipolar must be ready for the big changes that trigger my symptoms.
Treat Bipolar First.
I was too sick to work for a few weeks. I was too sick to do more than function. That is ok. My work was management so that I could then meet my work obligations 2021.
What is your plan for loss? It is ok to be scared about this topic. Talk with others about what you will NEED in terms of bipolar if you lose a pet you love. Or a parent. Or anyone. Talk now and be ready for the world.
I am sending you love if you too are going through loss right now. Ask for help. ❤️❤️❤️
Julie
