Hello all! I just thought I would say a little about mysellf before I begin posting anything personal or helpful ( for me at least ).

I am 21 (22 in June) and I am getting married in August. ( Excited!!)

I always new I was different from everyone else. It seemed like all of my friends were always so cheerful and excited about everything. I never felt that way at all. I had a rough childhood and just thought I was the "typical" depressed child. There became a point in my life where I knew things weren't right. ( I may go into these things later )

Getting to the point, I was officially diagnosed with "BPD" last June. I was in a very intense outpatient therapy. I was going through that for close to 2 months *most only for 2 weeks* and feel like I didnt really learn much from it.

My hopes are to meet others that suffer from my disorder and maybe learn how to cope with different aspects. I'm looking forward to talking with everyone!

While I was in the program, my favorite quote was " Bi-Polar is what I have, it's not who I am" You can't let this disease take control of you. You HAVE to take control of it first. If you don't, you'll NEVER be happy.

Welcome Jess,

This is a great place to come for conversation and support. There are many on here who have BP and others, like myself, who love someone who has it. We are all ages, but are bound together with the desire to learn more and share experiences and information.

I hope you will learn as much from reading and posting as I have.

take care,
:wave: Tsohl

Thank you so much. I am excited to learn and grow with others that understand the disease.

Don't be shy about asking specific questions.
A little tip:
I've found that you often get more responses when people know what it is you're saying, or asking, rather than using a more general title. Also, as you go along, things will pop up that will trigger another question you want to ask.

My son is 25 and was diagnosed his junior year in college when he was just about your age. He had long suspected he was bipolar, but never mentioned anything to us...and he was very good at covering. His father and I, and his younger sister were all absolutely shocked when we found out that there was even a problem, let alone BP. It took him a good two years to get everything sorted out, and to finally find the right meds. But he has now been healthy and stable for about two years...and he manages his BP very well.

There is a big learning curve, but you are off to a good start by seeking information and support. My advice to you is to learn as much as you can about the disorder, treatments and especially, medications. This way you can work as a partner with your pdoc and you'll have the knowledge to know when a med isn't right for you...and can even make suggestions as to what else you might want to try.

You are already ahead of the game, as it appears you are accepting the diagnosis and are willing to take medication for it. You will want to get your fiance involved in educating himself as well, so that he understands about the disorder and how he can be of assistance to you in managing it.

xxxTsohl

Just wanted to throw out a BIG welcome to you Jess.:wave: I do not have Bipolar but come here for support for my 15 year old daughter who was recently diagnosed. I have found it to be such a wonderful place where people have such a wealth of knowledge and understanding and it has beome my lifeline and also a place that I am happy to share what I have learned along the way with others.

I hope that you find this board to be of as much value in your life as I have found it to be in mine.

(((HUGS))) ~ Goody:angel: :wave:

Hello Jess,
I just wanted to welcome your to our wonderful board. I also think you will find it very helpful and insightful and maybe even funny at times.
I really appreciated your quote as that is something i have been struggling with for a long time but i am trying to work on! Come here anytime and share your thoughts it can be very helpful to others. Congrats on your wedding coming up and all the fun preparations and remember to try not to get overwhelmed! Again, welcome:) its nice to see another ohioian Yea!!!!:blob_fire Go buckeyes at least i hope your a buckeye fan Ha!:D
Tee:) :wave:

Well, for starters I am a HUGE!!!!!!! Buckeye fan! O-H-I-O!!!

There is so much I want to say, but as I said in a previous post, I'm having a hard time opening up so i hope everyone will be patient with me!! I dont even know where to start! Any suggestions???

Is there one particular thing that is bothering you, that you could post a question pertaining to? You don't need to go into 'background." As the posts come in, it will take a form of its own!!

I noticed you posted a reply on another thread -- that's a good way to get started also. When something rings a bell as something similar to something you've felt or experienced, or if you have experience with something and want to share...or want to post words of encouragement, post a reply or response -- there's no right or wrong way -- just read through a few older threads that might interest you and you'll see how the topic develops....

You can share as much or as little about your own situation as you feel comfortable doing....or just read awhile to something strikes you.

I'm sure you have tons of questions since you were recently diagnosed. Many people spend years in denial before trying to gain some understanding about the disorder. You are way ahead of the game !!

xxxTsohl :wave:

Oh, one more thing, which you probably already know, but just in case...if for example you see a post by Teresa, who is a fellow Buckeye, and want to know more about her/what she's written...you can click on her name and it will show you all her previous posts. That way you can read her background, so you don't have to ask things that have already been posted. :cool:

Thanks you two!