Hi, I'm new

[Silver-winged Flyer]

Hi everybody, my name is Tracey

I've just recently been diagnosed as having bipolar and that was only really because I went through so many anti-depressants which didn't work and it was only when I was put onto lithium did my depression stabilise. I take other anti-depressants and anxiety meds as well as the lithium.
As strange as it might sound I'm glad to have finally been diagnosed with it because I knew I was having highs and lows, even though they're fairly mild but my psychiatrist wouldn't diagnoase me as bipolar because the changes in mood weren't drastic enough and I don't get them that often, I suffered from general depression more often.
I take my meds regularly and I'm doing a lot better than I was but I still have bad days. Today is one, I was doing well this morning then I crashed. I started feeling a bit better just now but I'm not quite at a normal level yet.
I have alot on my plate right now so maybe that triggered it.

I hope to get to know you better and share in your experiences. My worst problem at the moment is that very few of my friends know what I go through so they don't understand how I'm feeling when I'm down.

 

[SinkingShip]

Hi Tracey,
Welcome to the Forum! I'm a Type II Bipolar (very mild, almost unnoticeable highs with crippling lows) and you can read about some of my experiences in one of my earlier posts ("Where to go from here"). I'm in a similar boat with only a handful of friends (ie 2) know that I'm biploar and I get a little support at home and almost no support from my family (I'm frequently told "Why can't you just be happy?" and "Well, I don't know what to do *throws hands in the air*"). If you trust your friends enough (something I have a very difficult time doing) you can try revealing more to them about what you're going through - you may be surprised at how willing some are to help and be there for you.

I hope this helps. Feel free to post or message me if you would like to talk more.

-SS

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

Hi SinkingShip

Thank you very much. I have shared with a couple of close friends about my bipolar, a few more know that I have depression and my mentor has been very supportive already.
I find the fact that people don't understand it makes it harder for me to be open about it. I did share it at home group one evening and only one person asked a couple of questions after that evening which makes it difficult to share.

 

[dabro]

Hey Tracy. I'm on Gabapentin and lamictal. And klonopin and Luvox. So I'm on alot of meds but it's good to see your in a cheery mood. My moods are like that but I mostly like you display depression. But I have been high before and that feeling is Great but costly. Hope you like it here. My name is Daniel!

 

[NewCovenant]

Hey Tracey, welcome to the journey! I pray that you will find lots of friendship and support here.

 

[Biker Angel]

Hi Tracey and welcome to BP forum. I am bipolar 1 with hard heavy cycles. I tried Lithium twice, once 15 years ago and again 3 months ago, but without any good results. Now I am on Effexor XR 300mg and it actually works to bring me out of depression, but without any manic energy. I'm glad Lithium works for you since it's a bit tricky finding the right meds for each person.