Bright day

Hello Maisy,

The diagnose in itself means nothing - it doesn't
determine your future.
Many people develop fears when being diagnosed,
and often these are based on misconceptions.
(like popular notions of "madness", stories you've
heard about people with the diagnosis and things
you've read about the condition.)
Patients' symptoms, development and abilities to cope
vary greatly; thus sharing another's diagnose doesn't
mean you will share his situation. Also, doctors are
unable to give prognoses.

People have thoughts like "will I start hallucinating?"
"will I lose contact with reality?" "will I be able to
hold on to a job?" "will I be able to marry?"
There are many bipolars who handle their jobs,
marriages, not hallucinating or "losing it".
Further I think it's wrong to think of people's situations,
using a checklist: does he have symptom a? symptom b?
etc.

There are different issues that cause the symptoms,
(and also the same issue can cause different symptoms)
and I think it's better to focus on them. Overall, I think
it comes down to three things: thoughts (what you think
and how you think), feelings and biochemical issues;
all three influencing each other. Learning to handle
thoughts (and learning ways of thinking) and emotions
(maybe also how to communicate them) is your main thing
to focus on. Taking meds, eating healthily, and keeping a
steady sleep cycle doesn't take much effort.

Therefore it's very valuable to familiarize yourself with your
problems and troublesome habits, rather than fleeing from
them - together with a therapist, a support group and alone.
I can post, if you wish, something a post I wrote about
verbal hallucinations, that also relates to thinking in general
and a little to handling emotions.

I wish you all the best. Have a lovely weekend.