ovadatop
01-26-2005, 12:38 AM
:jester: Hi everyone! I'm new here so I thought I'd put my two bobs worth in.
I only found this site yesterday and already am impressed with the discussion and advice it conjures up.
I was diagnosed bp last year although the symptoms first surfaced when I was about 17. I'm now 23. I know I don't have to tell you guys and gals how difficult this time has been... I've had many issues to get through and conquer - substance abuse, identity crisis', self-injury... and I know I came through it all relatively unscathed due to a wonderful support system of close family and friends.... and the meds that now guide me gently along the road of stability.
Anyway, I'm now at University studying psychology and sociology and who knows what the future will bring. I still have my up and down days (I had a couple of rough days recently which may have been why I hunted down this site) but I feel I'm nearly over it now.
I just want to say hello to everyone, I think it's great that people of all flavours can unite at a website like this one and to wish everyone a wonderful new year ahead.
:wave:
I only found this site yesterday and already am impressed with the discussion and advice it conjures up.
I was diagnosed bp last year although the symptoms first surfaced when I was about 17. I'm now 23. I know I don't have to tell you guys and gals how difficult this time has been... I've had many issues to get through and conquer - substance abuse, identity crisis', self-injury... and I know I came through it all relatively unscathed due to a wonderful support system of close family and friends.... and the meds that now guide me gently along the road of stability.
Anyway, I'm now at University studying psychology and sociology and who knows what the future will bring. I still have my up and down days (I had a couple of rough days recently which may have been why I hunted down this site) but I feel I'm nearly over it now.
I just want to say hello to everyone, I think it's great that people of all flavours can unite at a website like this one and to wish everyone a wonderful new year ahead.
:wave:
Sponsor
Hedgehog No 1
01-26-2005, 06:17 AM
Hi there 'ODT' :wave:
Welcome to the boards. We are strange...but we play nice...MOST of the time... ;)
INTERESTING THOUGHT...a 'BiPolar' psycologist...??? :eek:
Hedge. :cool:
Welcome to the boards. We are strange...but we play nice...MOST of the time... ;)
INTERESTING THOUGHT...a 'BiPolar' psycologist...??? :eek:
Hedge. :cool:
mudhound
01-26-2005, 07:38 AM
A huge welcome to you!
Ruth6:11
01-26-2005, 08:19 AM
Welcome! You're in a great position to help another "newbie"!!
:angel:
:angel:
ovadatop
01-26-2005, 08:20 PM
Thank you all :)
Originally I wanted to be a psychologist as yes, I thought I would be in a good position to help others (I would 'know' what they were going through) but my bp is not stable and I lack the self confidence to believe that I could help others without the influence of my own problems. Shame. But I'm glad I studied psychology as it has helped me understand alot about the way we tick with eachother and within ourselves. I hope to go into Aged Care or another supporting role (caring disposition) - let's hope that I get there :) I'd be interested to know the types of jobs you all work in (if applicable)...
Cheers for the welcome! :wave:
Originally I wanted to be a psychologist as yes, I thought I would be in a good position to help others (I would 'know' what they were going through) but my bp is not stable and I lack the self confidence to believe that I could help others without the influence of my own problems. Shame. But I'm glad I studied psychology as it has helped me understand alot about the way we tick with eachother and within ourselves. I hope to go into Aged Care or another supporting role (caring disposition) - let's hope that I get there :) I'd be interested to know the types of jobs you all work in (if applicable)...
Cheers for the welcome! :wave:
princesspea
01-26-2005, 09:58 PM
Hi ODT,
WELCOME! It will be interesting to get to know you and your prespective on things. I'm so glad you joined us.
You've got a partner on the sub. abuse in me. (Alcohol and rx meds) They tell me I might have been self medicating. I've never wanted to test that. That would truly be alcoholic. LOL
Anyway...I'm glad you're here.
Love,
Jamie
WELCOME! It will be interesting to get to know you and your prespective on things. I'm so glad you joined us.
You've got a partner on the sub. abuse in me. (Alcohol and rx meds) They tell me I might have been self medicating. I've never wanted to test that. That would truly be alcoholic. LOL
Anyway...I'm glad you're here.
Love,
Jamie
Ruth6:11
01-26-2005, 10:08 PM
Hey overdatop!
I spent so much time in psychiatrists office from the age of 13 off and on that sometimes my advice has actually mirrored the response people get from their own therapist!
As far as jobs go, take your idea of working with the Aged ONE tiny step further and you'll have the industry I work in.
Yup, I work in a funeral home!
Before that I worked for a bank for a little over 10 years. (Ugh to huge conglomerates!)
:angel:
I spent so much time in psychiatrists office from the age of 13 off and on that sometimes my advice has actually mirrored the response people get from their own therapist!
As far as jobs go, take your idea of working with the Aged ONE tiny step further and you'll have the industry I work in.
Yup, I work in a funeral home!
Before that I worked for a bank for a little over 10 years. (Ugh to huge conglomerates!)
:angel:
ovadatop
01-27-2005, 05:56 PM
A rather macabre but interesting job Ruth! Such a big change from working in a bank. I didn't want to start a new thread so I thought I'd update in here... The past few days have been particularly rough for me and I would have been put in hopsital (before they realised I didn't have private insurance... I'm now getting covered asap)- very low, you know how it goes... and then last night, UP she goes.. sweeping and mopping and dancing... what a crazed world one lives in. My pdoc has adjusted my meds so we'll see how that goes. Hope everyone is having a good day (from one that's a little toooo bright eyed and bushy tailed)..
princesspea
01-27-2005, 09:32 PM
Hi ODT (aka: bright eyed and bushy tailed),
I'm glad you're okay today even if you're a little "up".
They wouldn't put you in the hospital because you don't have private insurance? I didn't know they could do that. Then again I'm a little nieve when it comes to insurance. I've had double insurance for 10 years now (almost). Thank God you made it through the night.
I hope your med tweek will help.
Love,
Jamie
I'm glad you're okay today even if you're a little "up".
They wouldn't put you in the hospital because you don't have private insurance? I didn't know they could do that. Then again I'm a little nieve when it comes to insurance. I've had double insurance for 10 years now (almost). Thank God you made it through the night.
I hope your med tweek will help.
Love,
Jamie
ovadatop
01-29-2005, 03:24 AM
Jamie, my pdoc made it sound like I couldn't but maybe that was just because she doesn't do visits to public hospitals... I think that's the way it works.
I'm feeling better (although it should take about a week before the increase in antid's work their magic) - just have a few important decisions to make which are kind of stressing. It's so annoying when you realise that 'normals' would probably make up their minds about certain things no worries but if having a bad day, a bp really lacks the conviction to feel strongly about anything. Argh! ;)
I'm feeling better (although it should take about a week before the increase in antid's work their magic) - just have a few important decisions to make which are kind of stressing. It's so annoying when you realise that 'normals' would probably make up their minds about certain things no worries but if having a bad day, a bp really lacks the conviction to feel strongly about anything. Argh! ;)
princesspea
01-30-2005, 05:49 PM
ODT :wave: ,
Hi! You might be surprised how many "normies" can't make a decision either. :D
How are you doing with the higher dose of anti d's?
Let me know.
Love,
Jamie
Hi! You might be surprised how many "normies" can't make a decision either. :D
How are you doing with the higher dose of anti d's?
Let me know.
Love,
Jamie
ovadatop
02-07-2005, 01:38 AM
Hi guys... huge hug to Jamie :)
Well I was admitted to hospital last week due to depression and my time in there was unusual... I'd never been admitted before and it was a bit daunting at first. As you get better it's hard to see those around you being depressed and you wish that a little of the 'better you' could rub off. Anyway... the new meds are responding I think but I have other issues to deal with now. Possible alcoholism? It just takes the edge off reality and it seems I can't stop myself. I'm very good at hiding this problem (I still live at home) but I know I have to stop drinking. Maybe I can vent in here when I feel like a drink instead of succumbing and heading for the bottle shop. My pdoc said there's a medication you can take to control the urges but the thought of mooooooooore meds just wasn't appealing as you guys would know.
Any thoughts on this? :wave:
Well I was admitted to hospital last week due to depression and my time in there was unusual... I'd never been admitted before and it was a bit daunting at first. As you get better it's hard to see those around you being depressed and you wish that a little of the 'better you' could rub off. Anyway... the new meds are responding I think but I have other issues to deal with now. Possible alcoholism? It just takes the edge off reality and it seems I can't stop myself. I'm very good at hiding this problem (I still live at home) but I know I have to stop drinking. Maybe I can vent in here when I feel like a drink instead of succumbing and heading for the bottle shop. My pdoc said there's a medication you can take to control the urges but the thought of mooooooooore meds just wasn't appealing as you guys would know.
Any thoughts on this? :wave:
princesspea
02-07-2005, 07:50 PM
ODT,
Hi! :wave: Yikes on the alcoholism!!!! I'm in recovery myself. I was self medicating with alcohol. It sounds like what you're doing too. Not really much long term help in that is there. :D I know quitting is hard believe me.
Of course you can come here about your alcohol problems, it's part of you bp. A very real and rotten part! It both effects it and contributes to mood swing.
Now...a moment on my soap box...if you're looking for the easiest way to get sober it's in AA. Believe me on this. It's NOT easy to work the steps, don't get me wrong. It is the easiest way to get and stay sober because you're doing it with people who have been there...okay off my soap box.
I've been sober 18 years now. I was 26 when I got sober. It took a treatment center and then AA for me. I wasn't dx'd with bp yet...Had a flaming case of it but, just wasn't dx'd yet. At least you're one step ahead.
Good for you going into the hospital to get help! That's a big step no matter how you get there. I do know what you're talking about wanting your improvement to rub off on others. You must have a big heart too.
Anyway all in all I'm glad to see your back.
Love,'
Jamie
Hi! :wave: Yikes on the alcoholism!!!! I'm in recovery myself. I was self medicating with alcohol. It sounds like what you're doing too. Not really much long term help in that is there. :D I know quitting is hard believe me.
Of course you can come here about your alcohol problems, it's part of you bp. A very real and rotten part! It both effects it and contributes to mood swing.
Now...a moment on my soap box...if you're looking for the easiest way to get sober it's in AA. Believe me on this. It's NOT easy to work the steps, don't get me wrong. It is the easiest way to get and stay sober because you're doing it with people who have been there...okay off my soap box.
I've been sober 18 years now. I was 26 when I got sober. It took a treatment center and then AA for me. I wasn't dx'd with bp yet...Had a flaming case of it but, just wasn't dx'd yet. At least you're one step ahead.
Good for you going into the hospital to get help! That's a big step no matter how you get there. I do know what you're talking about wanting your improvement to rub off on others. You must have a big heart too.
Anyway all in all I'm glad to see your back.
Love,'
Jamie
loopyturtle
02-08-2005, 08:36 AM
:wave: Hi ODT,
Glad you're here. :)
I can definitely relate to the self-med'ing and alcohol being an "easy answer". One thing I have found, personally, is whenever I do drink, it usually makes my moods worse in the following couple of days. Realizing that has helped me to leave it alone more often than not.
Then sometimes not. :rolleyes:
--Loopy
Glad you're here. :)
I can definitely relate to the self-med'ing and alcohol being an "easy answer". One thing I have found, personally, is whenever I do drink, it usually makes my moods worse in the following couple of days. Realizing that has helped me to leave it alone more often than not.
Then sometimes not. :rolleyes:
--Loopy
princesspea
02-08-2005, 04:46 PM
Loopy,
Good for you on leaving it alone more often than not. And YaY on recognizing the problem.
Love,
Jamie
Good for you on leaving it alone more often than not. And YaY on recognizing the problem.
Love,
Jamie
ovadatop
02-11-2005, 03:42 PM
Hi everyone,
Well I feel this is the one place I can post relatively 'anonymously' and I really need to vent. I really think that I've become so used to self medicating that when I stop the drugs or alcohol, it's almost unbearable... it's like I have nothing else to turn to. I know for some people it's a 'higher power' or the motivation one has due to messing up big time in the past, but for me, well it just seems so hard to live the straight life without going astray. What to do. I'm still young and have the world at my feet... I know this. Some days are easier than others but the bad days... well the bad days seem to get worst despite the med tweeking. I just REALLY want to do the right thing and stop the lies. Ta for hearing me out.
Well I feel this is the one place I can post relatively 'anonymously' and I really need to vent. I really think that I've become so used to self medicating that when I stop the drugs or alcohol, it's almost unbearable... it's like I have nothing else to turn to. I know for some people it's a 'higher power' or the motivation one has due to messing up big time in the past, but for me, well it just seems so hard to live the straight life without going astray. What to do. I'm still young and have the world at my feet... I know this. Some days are easier than others but the bad days... well the bad days seem to get worst despite the med tweeking. I just REALLY want to do the right thing and stop the lies. Ta for hearing me out.
princesspea
02-12-2005, 12:36 AM
ODT,
You can come and vent here anytime you want. That's what were here for!
I had to stop the self medicating before I was even dx'd. It was screwing up my life to much. It ain't easy! Have you tried to find any outside help? I didn't get the whold higher power thing at first. I just had to go with knowing something was out there what ever it was.
I was probably a lot older than you when I stopped. I was 26. I know it's tough when you're young.
Love and hugs to you,
Jamie
You can come and vent here anytime you want. That's what were here for!
I had to stop the self medicating before I was even dx'd. It was screwing up my life to much. It ain't easy! Have you tried to find any outside help? I didn't get the whold higher power thing at first. I just had to go with knowing something was out there what ever it was.
I was probably a lot older than you when I stopped. I was 26. I know it's tough when you're young.
Love and hugs to you,
Jamie