How do you deal with Bipolar Disorder? How do you deal with friends who have Bipolar Disorder?

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder on two occasions and I am not sure how to take it.


I have racing thoughts, mood swings, general anxiety, social anxiety,....





I am afraid to get close to people because I am concerned they will not approve of me when my disorder ';kicks in';.


What to do? What do you do?





Oh, and my doctor gave me Lithium (haven't started yet). Is anyone taking this? Does it work? What works for you? Are you embarrassed to have Bipolar Disorder?How do you deal with Bipolar Disorder? How do you deal with friends who have Bipolar Disorder?
I am 27 now and was 11 years old when I was diagnosed. The best advice I can give you is to take your medicines. For many years I fought taking meds because I thought it meant I was crazy. I was on an emotional rollercoaster for at least 10-12 years. I would start the medications and start to feel better but then go off them because I didn't think I needed them anymore. This is normal for someone who is bipolar.





I got married two years ago to a great guy and have a four year old little boy. I have worked the same job for seven years and just bought my second house. The reason I'm telling you this is not to brag but to let you know that you can lead a perfectly normal life. When my husband and I first got together I wasn't on any meds and he said the difference between now and then is enormous.





I am not embarassed of being bipolar. There is no reason to be. I have never had a problem with friends because of it. The key is to educate the people around you about it. Everyone who knows me understands that I go through periods of time where I just don't want to talk and am very depressed. No one takes it personal anymore they just make sure that I know they are there for me.





Lithium didn't work for me but I know many swear by it. I take trileptal and welbutrin and I have never felt any side effects.How do you deal with Bipolar Disorder? How do you deal with friends who have Bipolar Disorder?
I have Bipolar Disease. I've tried working, no luck in that. I've tried ';friends';. I make the mistake of telling them I am Bipolar and they try to fix me or run away.I've finally accepted that the best thing for me is to be alone as I'm really tired of all the above events happening.


Lithium is a very good medicine for Bipolar, it has been used with good results for a long time. I take Depakoe--it works ok. Yes, I am embarrassed to have Bipolar Disorder. My parents were both Bipolar, but they were not controlled so they had highs and lows alot. I'm Bipolar and I don't have reactions to things like others would.
I so understand what you are going through. I was diagnosed with bipolar several years ago and at first I fought the diagnosis hard. I had been diagnosed with depression but bipolar was a whole nother ball game. Eventually I came to see it myself and agree with my psychiatrist. It was a hard thing to deal with and sometimes still is. Mostly because of the stigma attached to bipolar. People automatically think manic-depressive and crazy and discount what we think or feel. It's not fair. I can say though that I have really seen some big changes over the last several years. It's not perfect but better.


In regards to being around other people. Start taking your meds and you will mellow out. To the people you care about and trust, talk to them about what you have, about what it means and what it DOESN'T mean. You are NOTcrazy. It's no different than a diabetic taking medicine to regulate his blood sugar. You take meds to regulate your brain chemistry. If they can't deal with it and treat you with respect, they don't deserve to be around you. Most people have issues with mental health and I applaud you for having the strength to step up and take responsibility for your own health and happiness. It is so not an easy thing to do.


Lastly, in regard to Lithium. I have tried every drug they have come out with over the last ten years and none worked until I was convinced to give Lithium a try and it has changed my life. It has evened everything out. No more racing thoughts, trouble sleeping, anxiety. It's all so much better because of lithium. Just be careful to take it as prescribed and get you blood tested occasionally. If it doesn't work, don't be afraid to keep trying. Your health and happiness are worth it.


Am I embarassed about being bipolar? Sometimes but most of the time, no. everyone has something, as least medicine can fix mine. Good luck. You'll be great!
My daughter has bipolar disorder, so I have done a lot of research on it. Take your lithium as your doctor prescribed. It will take up to a month to get full results from this Med. My daughter said it made her '; feel a little weird'; at first, but she had that feeling a little less each day. It only took a few days for that feeling to go away comletely, and at the end of her first month on it, she felt much more in control of her life. Everyone is different though... so if you find that you have side effects that are intolerable, or that it's just not working for you, let your doctor know. There are other meds that may work better for you. It is nothing to be embarrassed about, simply a chemical imbalance in your system that can be helped by the right treatment.
I take Trileptal, which works well when I take it correctly. I'm embarrassed to have it, but I think everyone is for a little while. It's okay %26amp; just keep living your life like there is nothing wrong, because there really isn't anything wrong. You are fine just the way you are. :D