Bipolar 1

@Loveloudlyhealgently

 It's good to hear that you are stable with your current med regimen. I also think that if you're highs and lows actually did disappear, a med adjustment would be needed. Highs and lows are a normal part of life, and the inability to experience them, would be a great loss. I believe the lows provide a necessary contrast to the highs.

Sadly, there will always be people who don't understand mental health issues or how their managed. There is no need to question yourself regarding your success at managing your life.

You've indicated that it "feels like" people think you are making excuses. That sounds like you are open to the possibility that they may not actually be thinking that way. My guess is, maybe some are, and others are not. If people are asking questions about issues you would rather not discuss, I can imagine that the discomfort related to the questions could lead to the perception that they are questioning the validity of your approach. On the other hand, they may simply be trying to understand you a bit better.

Self questioning can also be called introspection, which can be very helpful in maintaining mental and emotional balance. Questioning whether or not you are "making excuses," suggests to me that you're probably not doing that. If you determined that you actually are making excuses, compassionate redirection of habits is a far more effective way to change the behavior. Negative self judgment is not deserved, and it introduces complications into the process of making positive change.

The bottom line is, it sounds like you're managing your life in a very positive way. The introspection described above can be accomplished with self compassion and confidence. Consider that there is no need to explain things to anyone who might interpret those explanations as excuses.

Feel free to message me if you wish.

@Loveloudlyhealgently

I totally relate to feelings going up and down like a roller coaster. Although my underlying conditions are anxiety and grief, so it might be a bit different. But I know what it is like to feel good in the morning and the lowest of the low in the evening and wonder how the two can be the same person. I haven't a clue how to make decisions, when my feelings about a situation could be so different over a few hours. 

I'm so impressed that you are learning to manage it better. It's a lot of work and you're doing it! I completely understand how it can feel like it is invisible work, because no one can see what you are struggling against. But we see it. And most importantly, you see it. How you feel about your progress is way way way more important than what anyone else thinks. Celebrate how much effort you are putting in for yourself. Because you are doing it for you and nothing is more important. You deserve to feel proud of what you are doing. I'm proud of you.

Can't believe somebody said this so clearly. Dealing with the same lately. Everyone around me translates this to “drama” that I am enjoying. But the pain is so deep. Like you don't know what's wrong inside your head and still have to act as if it's normal.

Can't believe somebody said this so clearly. Dealing with the same lately. Everyone around me translates this to “drama” that I am enjoying. But the pain is so deep. Like you don't know what's wrong inside your head and still have to act as if it's normal.

I go through this and I'm sorry the people in your life don't understand you, but I understand and this is a space for us with peers who can support you

Please reach out to me i am diagnosed with bipolar 1 i want to share my manic episodes with you

Please reach out to me i am diagnosed with bipolar 1 i want to share my manic episodes with you