Bipolar and ideas of how to help ourselves beyond medication

Hello @9119, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I saw a link that may help you find a good psychiatrist that takes Medicaid on the Psychology Today.

Find a Therapist Accepting Medicaid
-- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/medicaid

Are you able to get any help through your local or county social services?

John

Been to that site, have called with no luck , either they now do not except Medicaid or are at the max of patients. Been to my community help centers and they state health care in Macomb county, Michigan is under funded. I understand , but that is no help to me..feeling helpless, and defeated....just about ready to go on News stations for help, daily panic attacks and anxiety are controlling my entire days. Any inspiring comment would be so appreciated

@9119 I wish I was smart enough to have an inspiring comment to give you. I hope you keep advocating for yourself and keep looking for things that help move you to a better place. A few years ago I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Amit Sood talk about how the brain functions and it was eye opening for me. He has some really good YouTube videos. Here are a few that may be helpful.

Dr. Amit Sood - The Mayo Clinic's Handbook for Happiness
-- https://goo.gl/e6YUgb

Happy Brain: How to Overcome Our Neural Predispositions to Suffering | Amit Sood, MD | TEDxUNI
-- https://goo.gl/dRiaCx

@9119 do you have any activities that you enjoy doing or that make you happy?

John

I sympathize with you. I have similar problems. Do what you think is right. I will pray for you. God bless

Hi, @9119 - sorry to hear that you lost your job and are having such a challenging time with pain and anxiety.

We have a couple of groups I'd recommend to you that have lots of discussions on anxiety and about pain:

- Depression & Anxiety group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/

- Chronic Pain group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/

As you came to a discussion on bipolar issues, I'm wondering if you also have a diagnosis of bipolar, @9119?

I was diagnosed bipolar a few years ago and was put in Lamotrigine for the mood swings. This was the first time that I was able to take things out of my shopping cart and return them to the shelf. Now I find myself in a financial bind.
I’m hoping to connect with others who have bipolar disorder.

I’m also ADD, so my doctor, therapist and I often are challenged when my Mind races and focusing seems near impossible. Russell Brand has the same 2 diagnoses, and I have no problem being in the same group with him. He’s a brilliant comedian, actor and 14 year recovered addict. It seems brilliance and creativity often are characteristic of those with bipolar disorder. Yet, not all bipolar sufferers are creative.

Can anyone relate?

What meds and practices help you to control the illness?

@petangelkat1, you'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about Bipolar Disorder in the Mental Health group, so you can meet others talking about bipolar issues and medications and practices to help control it.

Here are other discussions that may also interest you:
> New here, dealing with bipolar and depression https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-here/
> What to do for socially phobic depression and anxiety & bipolar https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-you-do-for-major-and-socially-phobic-depression-and-anxiety/
> ADHD https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adhd/

Are you able to continue to take Lamotrigine if it is working for you?

Yes, I’m still taking Lamotrigine, and it gave me a lot of energy in the past. I don’t feel the energy this time BUT I do NOt have the hot flashes like before.
Today my fibromyalgia pain is higher,
and I’m tired tired.

Hi, @petangelkat1 - You mentioned after starting on the lamotrigine for the mood swings that you for the first time were able to take things out of your shopping cart and return them to the shelf. Will you share more about this? Was a certain mood swing affecting your shopping?

I'd like to request that @pjss48 @healthytoday return and offer their input on whether they also have ADD, if they have mind racing and focusing challenges, as well as what meds and practices help to control the illness. Hoping that @amberpep @mamacita @oprah @catcatanzaro60 @mizmaui444 @cathy615 @windwalker might also join this conversation and offer any input they may have on the same.

@9119, do you also have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder?

Yes, I am bipolar and have tried lamotrigine. It had no effect on me whatsoever. I have never experienced symptoms such as you describe, however. Good luck.