is bipolar same as being crazy or insane

Good question!

I dunno - to me 'crazy' indicates someone who is unable to exercise good judgement, and does stuff that most reasonable people wouldn't do. For instance, because I'm crazy in love with my wife, my judgement where she is concerned is colored not by logic, but by emotion.

Insane, to me anyway, conjures images of someone raging and drooling in some Victorian asylum. I suppose you could have an insane craving for pizza, but that's about it.

I don't think we can equate bipolar with crazy or insane. Unless you're bipolar, crazy in love, and have an insane craving for pizza. ;-)

Well, I 'spose you're half crazy then.

When I started antidepressants six or seven millennia ago, my wife and I used to refer to them as 'crazy pills'. I remember filling out one of those patient information forms at an optometrist's once. The receptionist asked what I took Cipralex for - I said "craziness". She looked somewhat uncomfortable.

Love is subjective. I think you might be surprised at who might end up loving you.

You're doing all the right stuff. Give your psychiatrists, and the meds they recommend, time to do their magic. If you keep working at getting better, eventually something is gonna stick.

You and I couldn't be more opposite when it comes to eating. I love food. Especially pastries.

Okay, I won't. Truthfully, wasn't going to anyway. ;-)

When you're at a crossroads like this, the last thing you need is 'Captain Obvious' telling you what is. The only person you're going to be able to count on for the next little while is yourself. You up for the challenge?

I'll be away for an hour or so, but I'd like to learn more about what's ailing you.

Depression isn't contagious, but it sure can make everyone around us sad.

You're not totally alone in this. You found this forum. At the very least everyone here knows how crappy it is to be in your shoes, and most of us know that stuff does eventually get better.

Your doctors are doing the best they know how -try not to blame them, some of us are tougher to treat than others.

What meds are you on? I'm duloxetine for craziness (HAH!), and zolopidem for sleep.

Sorry you can't see your granddaughter, that sucks.

Wow, you really are depressed. When I'm that far down, about the only thing I can do is live 10 seconds at a time. It's easy to make it through the next ten seconds, then all you have to do is start counting again.

The last thing you wanna hear right now is that it's going to get better, but, that said, it's going to get better. Zoloft is a tried and true drug, but antidepressants aren't magic - sometimes you still get depressed when you take them.

You in the US?

I'm in Canada where they haven't invented crime yet. ;-)

So you're stuck, eh? That sucks a lot. Do you know any people in your community around your age? It would be awesome if you could find some folks who would all agree to watch each others backs.

What happened last year? Any way to make sure it doesn't happen again?

I just looked at pictures of St. Louis on the internet. It looks like a really pretty city. Then I read about your heat. As a Canadian, I think it should be illegal to have any temperature over 90. I seriously would melt.

Gets lonely without friends and family around. I get that. I'm sure that your minister would make time for you though. Even just for a cup of tea and a hug.

Funny how we rate stuff in our lives. Depression sucks, but reaching out to people for help can suck even more. The only clergy I know is a dude who is married to my MIL's best friend. The guy is a real sanctimonious jerk, but I don't expect all of 'em are that way.

How close are you to the river? That's one US thing that all us Canucks learned - how to spell MISSISSIPPI.

We have two rivers in Calgary, the Bow river and the Elbow river. I think the second one wins the award for the dumbest river name ever. I'm lucky enough to work close to the Bow river, and I try and get out and take a walk there during my lunch hour. I like this time of year because pretty soon the river banks will be full of little yellow goslings.

Those things are cute.

Do you have any critters that live close to you? Have you ever seen an alligator? I never have, but I think they would freak me out.

There's only been 2 or 3 years in my life that I've been without critters. I've lived with dogs and cats, but cats are my favorite.

The cat we have now is pretty awesome because he likes to watch TV. The minute I turn the TV on, he lays down on my lap and stares at the screen. If I had to guess, I'd say his favorite show is Better Call Saul - he likes the muted colors.

What do you watch on TV?

There's always more to life, carlarenee. Sometimes it's harder to see that then other times. I know what it's like to feel that low, it's hard. But depression makes us tough - tough enough to make it through the crap times.

Ten seconds at a time.

How long you been sick?

My dad was the same - wouldn't drink anything but coffee or rum & coke. If neither was available, he literally wouldn't drink anything.

There's no denying it. Hospitals can be a safe place, I understand why you would want to go back. You don't have to be physically ill though, lot's of people, myself included, have gone because of depression.

Two years? You're just a depression newbie! Trust me when I say that you will develop coping skills that will make being depressed easier.

I'm logging off in 15 minutes. Is there anything that you would like to talk about? Sorry, I know I've been hogging the whole conversation!