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Anyone with Bipolar spectrum disorders?

Mental Health | Last Active: May 5 10:05pm | Replies (61)
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@itchyd

Hi Teresa,

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Although it may not be helpful to cast a wide net of aspersions at the psychiatric community, I feel I need to express my feelings in an honest manner. I've been through the ringer and think that I can fairly blame some, though certainly not all, of my problems on the failings of members of that group. I won't bore you with the gory details, but jobs were lost and a promising career was derailed.

The one clear advantage of being forced out to pasture early has been the ability to experiment, per se, with my mental hygiene. Not being under the extreme pressure of having to perform at a high level in stressful circumstances to stay employed has allowed me to, against the advice of my handlers, shelve the psych drugs that were ruining my health, both mental and physical.

I'm currently being provided for via the VA Healthcare system. They're maybe a little better at the brain game than my previous handlers were: they are old pros at dealing with PTSD and other mind dilemmas that have some similarities with BP.

Thanks again for your caring words.

Regards.

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Replies to "Hi Teresa, Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Although it may not be helpful to cast a..."
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 27 3:27pm

You are most welcome, @itchyd. After my last post, I was thinking about more ways you might be able to help yourself. Have you ever considered attending a support group? Perhaps the VA offers support groups, but if they don't, I'd like to suggest an organization called NAMI. NAMI has support groups throughout the country. If you would like to give it a try, here is a link to their website where you can find information about a group nearby,
https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Group
There is value in support groups where you can share with others who are experiencing similar problems. You can learn something about what has helped them in terms of medications, lifestyle changes and even good therapists who have helped them.

If you've never kept a journal (or if you already journal), I'd encourage you to join the Connect discussion titled, Journaling the Write Stuff for You. Here is the link to that group,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
In this group you will find others who are working through their physical and emotional struggles through writing on a regular basis. I'd encourage you to, at the very least, read the posts in that group.

I look forward to hearing from you as you continue this healing journey. It is not an easy road to travel, but well worth the trip!

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