wondering...

[nateboy]

It seems there are not a lot of postings lately. Is this because it's winter and we are in the dreary, depression times? I moved back to WA state from a more sunny area and this stinks. My bipolar SAD is back rearing it's ugly head! I don't see how this weather can not affect people!! I saw 5 minutes of sun in the past week!! Now that's sad.

 

[lemonflavor]

I think it's normal ebb and flow. I actually like darkness, fall and winter. It's not helping me this year though.

I get more depressed when spring comes and when the clocks are changed it really messes me up.

 

[Alive again]

I am busier than usual, but have notice the change in posts here and it does happen from time to time. I was doing okay and then caught my 21 yr old son smoking pot in my house last night. Told him I catch him again then he is OUT!!!! Sigh!!! That would break my heart, but I won't tolerate that.

 

[nateboy]

Alive again, you are going through a lot. I will pray for you and your family. I pray he doesn't turn to more "hard core" drugs. I had a few families members who just stuck with pot for a while and now they are clean. You may know that pot is more psychological addictive and easier to quit then the others. My fear is that you son may do it somewhere else, and then try to drive home. Please talk with him about this!! I have a heavy heart regarding your son right now and you. Perhaps kicking him out is the best thing if he keeps dong it. The whole "tough love" thing worked well for my sister but she had to go down a very tough road before getting on a better one. I pray you won't have to make that decision and he will straighten up.

Lemonspice! Are you serious?? Spring messes you up? That is very strange. I guess your neurotransmitters don't get affected by the dreariness of winter (unless you live in a sunny place year round). I still believe that this lack of posting in the winter must be more than typical "ebb and flow" unless it's just me who is overgeneralizing what others do based on my own experiences?? Perhaps

 

[lemonflavor]

Lemonspice! Are you serious?? Spring messes you up? That is very strange. I guess your neurotransmitters don't get affected by the dreariness of winter (unless you live in a sunny place year round). I still believe that this lack of posting in the winter must be more than typical "ebb and flow" unless it's just me who is overgeneralizing what others do based on my own experiences?? Perhaps

Yes I'm serious. I always thought the darkness matches my mood. And I liked winter as a kid, playing winter sports and doing stuff outside a lot. Then when the snow melted all that was gone. But I think it's more just how I am than anything that can be explained.

Message boards always ebb and flow unless there are a ton of people posting.

 

[rushingwind62]

It seems there are not a lot of postings lately. Is this because it's winter and we are in the dreary, depression times? I moved back to WA state from a more sunny area and this stinks. My bipolar SAD is back rearing it's ugly head! I don't see how this weather can not affect people!! I saw 5 minutes of sun in the past week!! Now that's sad.

One of the chemicals that is usually affected with our BP is seratonin. And the sun does affect this level according to my Dr and therapist. So with less sunlight we have a harder time with depression. Also the holidays can add to depression. Many struggle with with THAnksgiving and Christmas because along with BP we suffer from social phobia. So gathering with family and friends can be very difficult. As thos with social phobia do not feel comfortable in big crowds. This is largely due to the fact we often feel overwhelmed with all the noise of multiple people talking all at one time. Many BP's have difficulty concentrating and when multiple people are chatting and laughing at one time they become very confused. I KNOw I do.

 

[lemonflavor]

Also the holidays can add to depression. Many struggle with with THAnksgiving and Christmas because along with BP we suffer from social phobia. So gathering with family and friends can be very difficult. As thos with social phobia do not feel comfortable in big crowds. This is largely due to the fact we often feel overwhelmed with all the noise of multiple people talking all at one time. Many BP's have difficulty concentrating and when multiple people are chatting and laughing at one time they become very confused. I KNOw I do.

It's nice to see you post here. Haven't heard from you in a while.

I've been thinking about this same thing all morning. I'm a little anxious today about going to my wife's friend's for Thanksgiving dinner. Other than being with people, one thing I'm anxious about is I never know how long we'll have to stay. If it's longer than 2-3 hours I get very uncomfortable.

In another thread I posted about how my mom and step-dad will be staying over for two nights in a couple weeks. I emailed her last night telling her what my day is like and that I won't be able to entertain them much. She wrote back and kind of shrugged it off saying she just wants to be here. Next year if I'm still this bad off I will have to flat out tell her it's just too difficult for me.

For bipolar people any change in routine throws everything off.

I don't know how I'll make it through Christmas!

 

[rushingwind62]

It's nice to see you post here. Haven't heard from you in a while.

I've been thinking about this same thing all morning. I'm a little anxious today about going to my wife's friend's for Thanksgiving dinner. Other than being with people, one thing I'm anxious about is I never know how long we'll have to stay. If it's longer than 2-3 hours I get very uncomfortable.

In another thread I posted about how my mom and step-dad will be staying over for two nights in a couple weeks. I emailed her last night telling her what my day is like and that I won't be able to entertain them much. She wrote back and kind of shrugged it off saying she just wants to be here. Next year if I'm still this bad off I will have to flat out tell her it's just too difficult for me.

For bipolar people any change in routine throws everything off.

I don't know how I'll make it through Christmas!

Hi lemon,
Yeah, it has been a while since I posted. Been busy with other things. I have been doing pretty good though. Seems I have a good handle on my bp since they put me on Abilify.
I know what you mean about the family thing, but this year me and my wife are staying home and having our first Thanksgiving dinner alone. Which is being very nice and relaxing as we are both doing the cooking. But we will spend Christmas with the family. I am not as bad about getting around family as I use to be. I use to isolate myself from everyone, which wasn't a good thing.
Hang in there lemon and take things one step at a time. First step is getting there. If after you get there it all hits you, take breaks from everyone. Go outside and get some air if it is nice, then go back in for awhile. That is what I had to do for a couple years. I still don't stay long at family gatherings, if I stay for 2 or 3 hours I am doing good.
RaggedRobin aka debiwebi, say to tell you hi and HAppy turkey day...lol....she is my wife. Well it is about time to get the turkey out so I better go. Just wanted to thank you for the welcome back.

 

[spdnet75]

nateboy, you are not observing anything unusual. As has been pointed out by our friends, this can be a busy season ans it can be a season of depression and bad times for us as well.

I experienced an incident last weekend that I personally found to be interesting, but which nearly had my Brother provoking me into a very bad situation. We are often easily affected by situations, like The Holidays, or stress-related things, that can cause us to have negative symptoms and emotions.

Unfortunately, we are often so taken by these situations and episodes, that we often forget that it is important to talk about them.

I'm certainly guilty of not having been here as much lately as I have been known to be. (I'm going to try to break that bad habit on my part and be forthecoming with all of you.)

Stephen