HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How do you cope with the depressive side of Bipolar?

Support Forums
>
Bipolar Disorder
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/6/2010 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
I take anti-depressants and get lots of sunshine, and do floral design.

hugs, Caren

Bipolar 1

Posted 5/6/2010 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I can't. I really can't function. I can't make myself "go through the motions." I can't "fake it 'til you make it."

I wish I could.

I sleep through it. I'll sleep all day and all night. I might be awake for 2 or 4 hours, and I'll cry for most of it.
Posted 5/7/2010 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I work hard, i excersise, i read, eat whatever i want, and sometimes just let go and accept that for that day i am going to be blue. There is great relief in acceptance, in just letting all rest in god, goddess, budda, allah, jesus, or whoevers hands i am in. I take the blue period and know that there will be a good period coming down the line. It still sucks but hey, no one ever said life would be easy. Some time you have to work for it.

Bill
Posted 5/7/2010 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I don't : | I really don't cope. I'm type 2 and my depressive episodes are REALLY long lasting and severe. I get so paranoid and anxious when I'm depressed, I'll usually end up having a panic attack every time I try to leave the house, so there's not much I can do to make myself feel better...Also I have an eating disorder and when I'm depressed it just gets so much worse, I can barely ever eat. When I'm feeling up to it painting, walking in the country and exercise help a lot. And my dog, he always makes me feel better C:

I'm jealous of people who can sleep all day when they're depressed D: At least its a bit of an escape. I'm always far too anxious to fall asleep.

Posted 5/7/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I don't do well at all. My husband literally forces me to do something, like ride my horse, but it's so pathetic because I am counting the minutes that I can get off him and be able to say "OK, I did thataaa' snd then I run to the bedroom and hide out the rest of the day. Sometimes I can drag myself to work and sometimes my husband has to call my clients and cancel my appointments. Mostly, I am very, very sad and pretty much isolate myself from everyone.
Posted 5/10/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)

Hi guys,

I am bp type II, and as mentioned, our episodes I find are much longer and more severe. I am not able to be on any antidepressants as they all cause rapid cycling and mania. So--coping for me is basically a must since I don't have the meds to help me through. Coping for me gets really tough because bf and I fight a lot when I'm down, and so that takes too much energy away from me and so I am not able to focus on coping as much.

I am trying my best to exercise everyday now, so I am hoping that helps. Once the warm weather gets here I will also be doing much better.

Also there is that increased anxiety and panic attacks to manage as well shakehead so that just adds to it.

I think Bill had a good point: sometimes I get myself worked up over it which leads to me getting totally overwhelmed, so I think on those days where I can accpet it more, I'm able to take it moment by moment or hour by bour as I am supposed to be doing, which is another big help--taking it slowww... and being easy on myself.

Posted 5/10/2010 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
There is a company assistance program for abilify.  Income limits apply, of course.  Maybe you can get on it?  (((hugs)))

Posted 5/11/2010 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that you can't get the abilify. It works well for me. I am fortunate to have insurance. Very fortunate.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/11/2010 9:50 AM (GMT 0)
I also tell myself "this will pass" because it always does eventually. I learned to accept that I am depressed and need to take extra speical care of myself. I try not to beat myself up when things like the house aren't sparkling clean, because I know a hypomanic or manic mood will fix that in no time!!! I call my doc to see if we can tweek the meds. I try to make myself ride my horse because doing so always lifts my mood. My husband is always sweet by saddling up my horse for me if I show the slightest interest in riding. I write in a journal. I give myself permission to take naps, because that is one way I can give myself a break from depressive thoughts. I try to go to the "right" people to talk to, who will listen and not tell me stupid stuff like "pull yourself up by the bootstraps". I keep myself educated on BP through books and the internet. That's what I do.
Posted 5/12/2010 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes I don't...I just stay home sick from work and watch movies with my dogs. Other times my hubby gets me up and out. Sometimes I am going thru the motions but at least I am out of my chair walking, going to a clothing store etc. The other night I was pretty low but we planted our hanging flower baskets and it was good therapy.
Posted 5/17/2010 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
i watch endless rounds of TV shows that are more depressing than my life and try to feel better in comparison.
i sleep or fake-it, lying in bed just staring at ceiling or wall or something.
i try to exercise every day to get my blood running and feel better.
i eat too many sweets, chocolate especially which can give a buzz...
i drink coffee like a madwoman - this helps the most but its temporary.

LOL

these are good replies thanks~
Posted 5/18/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)

I watch L&O SVU.  Love it because it makes my life seem easy and because ALL of the bad stuff is brought to a conclusion within 1 hour.  I don't feel bad when I watch it.  It can get me out of a depression sometimes.

Caffiene is evil.  skull    Yes, it can temporarily lift a depression, but it can give a wicked cycle.  If I have caffiene, I will go through ultraradian cycling starting sometime within 12 hours of having the caffiene.  It is miserable and overwhelming.  The further this BP progresses, the more affect caffiene has on me and the faster the caffiene cycle gets.  Scary fast.

I had a sudden realization that I am overweight.  Sucks to admit it finally.  :(  But I started a "carb-free" diet.  That name isn't right.  A true carb-free diet will kill you eventually.  I'm eating grain-free, no processed sugar, no fruit juice.  This is a new thing (2 days now).  The first day is so hard!  Then it gets easier.  I have more energy than ever - like caffiene except stable, not jittery, and not bad for my mental health.  This diet is supposed to help my "brain cooties" too.

I used to eat sweets like crazy when I was hypomanic, and then binge on sweet and starchy things when depressed.  I put on some weight!

My high-fat no-sugar diet seems to be working.  I lost 6.6 lb in 2 days.  shocked    While stuffing myself with salads, pork ribs, fried fish, bratwurst, cheese, eggs...  No Calorie counting, not limiting portions.  I'm just starting to get past some of the worst of the sugar cravings now.

I thought I would never be able to overcome the sugar addiction thing.  I had to get my SO to support me and I stored all of the "junk" food away in the basement.  That has made it a lot easier.  If SO and DS want dessert, they can go to Dairy Queen without me!

Posted 5/18/2010 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I felt the big "D" coming on and I forced myself to go to the gym
and work out. I felt better afterwards.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply