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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 1/25/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to get a new tattoo, and I want it to be something meaningful to me.  I've struggled all my life with various problems (bulimia, depression, anxiety) until I finally had a breakdown involving lots of intrusive thoughts and panic attacks that resulted in a hospitilazation.  I finally was diagnosed as bipolar and am getting proper treatment.  I'd like to have something that symbolized the night and day aspect or the two different faces, I don't know...you know what I mean.  Any creative types want to give me any ideas (I lack that part of bipolar)

Posted 1/25/2008 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Whatever you decide, start out with having the design made into several temporary tattoos so you can wear it for several months before you decide if it is something you will love. You can then adjust size, color, etc. Once you are SURE you want to permanently mark your body, at least you will be sure you will love it forever this way. Just some motherly thoughts! LFW
Posted 1/26/2008 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
How about a version of the Happy and Sad mask? The two masks are the symbols for theater. You could have a design drawn up.........to suit you.

Night and day might be the sun and the moon......

Hugs to you,

Kitt

Posted 1/26/2008 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Sophie,

I have a tattoo of an unbalanced scale on my upper back, I got it in a time I was unstable. But I thought it was somewhat symbolic of the ups and downs of bipolar. There are a lot of choices out there, just remember there might not be just one image to capture them all. You might need to get different ones for different things. Best Wishes!
Posted 1/26/2008 3:34 PM (GMT 0)

Wow...interesting!

I like skitt's idea of the theater masks!

I like the idea of Olivia's unbalanced scale too!!

Everyone has given you some great food for thought. Take your time, think about it and don't rush into the idea. This will stay with you for a long time, so you owe it to yourself to get something that's just perfect. I like the idea that LFW had about having them make up temporary tattooes to see how you would like it on you. You may want it located in another place after seeing it on you or you may want different colors or just black and white, smaller, larger or totally different. You get the idea.

Good luck.

Posted 1/26/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
When I got my tattoo, I chose an Iris, which is a flower that symbolizes -- to me -- me at my best. When I look at it, it reminds me to take care of myself and be good to myself because I too have struggled with self-harming behavior. I may not always listen, :-) but that was the idea. whatever you choose, make it something you're in love with, something you'll be happy to show your grandkids.
Posted 1/26/2008 11:32 PM (GMT 0)

i have a few tattoos myself, 2 of them were gotten theraputically. they are both on my forearms, which in retrospect sometimes i dont like that but it hits only every 6 months or so so i definitely reccommend careful placement. one is a tree with winding roots that swirl down to a star. the tree is me, whenever i do my art as a protrait i am a tree. dunno why it just is, the other was adapted from a person who had a tattoo that really helped me through a very rough time. silly as it sounds its from a tv star but when i needed something to do, to focud on and to be sane i focused on him. it actually helped me a lot.

i guess wither way make it very personal and make it your own. i can draw like a champ and am usually good with conceptual stuff if you know what youre looking for. are you doing it to mark a time in your life that had passed, to express how you feel now or as a hope for the future. i think asking these wuestions will help you figure out what you want. and hey im always here for helo, its what i like to do,

lemme know how it goes!

bunny

Posted 9/28/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I always wanted a tattoo of Icarus. The fable that tells of Icarus wanting to escape crete so his father makes him wings of feathers and wax. He was warned not to soar too close to the sun. He gets too close and the wax melts and he plunges into the depths of the sea. I see the parallel between that and mania and depression. just a thought. Hope you find that tattoo that fits you best
Posted 9/28/2009 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kaminari:

Welcome to HealingWell and the bipolar board. That sounds like a cool idea for a tattoo.

Why not start a new topic and tell us a bit more about yourself?

serafena
Posted 9/28/2009 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I have 3 tattos. The one that I got on my lower back is of a sunset/sunrise. I like it because depending on your mood/perspective it can be one or the other. I have a cherry tree on my shoulder with the Indian symbol for ohm (as in meditation, not electronics) I intend to have a different tree on my other shoulder with the symbol for chaos showing my connection with earth but also my struggle between moods.
These are just ideas that I have had. They mean something to me and I love them. I have had them for years. I do suggest that you put a lot of thought into what you will get, and the placement. If you end up with something you don't like it is costly to have it removed and there will always be scarring. That said I hope you find something that is meaningful to you and is equally beaautiful

Pippin
Posted 9/29/2009 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
Don't know what your style is, but here's a pic that I found.. Thought it would make a good tattoo to represent the struggles of bipolar...

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5239922/bipolar-main_Full.jpg
Posted 9/29/2009 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
That's quite dark, torturedsoul. My bipolar doesn't look quite so scary. :-) No straight jacket.
serafena
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