Bipolar - What I Wish People Knew
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2020
- Andrea Landry shares how racing thoughts from her bipolar disorder affect her day-to-day life and where she finds support. To learn more visit nami.org/bipolar.
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If you or a loved one is seeking mental health treatment or additional information on mental health:
• Visit our website at NAMI.org.
• Call our HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HELPLINE” to 62640, open Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Find your local NAMI at nami.org/findsupport
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, please call or text 988, available 24/7
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NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Thank you for sharing your story. What I wish people knew about my Bipolar Disorder, is that my mood swings are NOT something I CAN control without medical intervention and the support of my family, friends, and community. I also wish more people understood that Bipolar (and all other psych/mood/behavioral disorders) are actually REAL, LEGITIMATE, NEUROLOGICALLY-BASED illnesses/disorders. I don't like, "snapping" or "flipping out" on people. (Who wants to ALIENATE themselves from their friends and family?). I REALLY don't like being DELUSIONAL/PSYCHOTIC. (Fortunately, those episodes were few and far between...). I don't like missing work because I'm "flipping out" for no easily discernible reason, and then having people insinuate/assume, "I just didn't WANT to go," when in fact, I'm GRATEFUL TO HAVE A JOB, and my neurotransmitters fluctuate without warning DUE TO THE DISORDER. It terrifies ME when I'm screaming/cursing/ wishing a car would hit me... only to be followed by DESPAIR/REGRET/HUMILIATION/ANXIETY/DREAD/TEARS. I wish people knew that even though at times, my actions seem ERRATIC, and my behaviors are STRANGE or CONFUSING, it's NOT because I'm going to HARM anybody. The last thing I want is DRAMA/CONFLICT/VIOLENCE/ISSUES. I wish I had more friends, a social life, and wasn't so FEARFUL/FRIGHTENED of the world. Integrating yourself into a new neighborhood, where you know few people, struggle to remember names, KNOW they DON'T want to HEAR/KNOW about my "issues" isn't easy. I wish more people understood the physiological/biological phenomena associated with mental illness and there was an ongoing, open dialogue about it. There are WAYS to interact with people with Bipolar Disorder that can HELP the individual DEVELOP/GROW/SUCCEED and REDUCE the more frightening behaviors/symptoms. It starts with having a discussion, continues with EDUCATION/TEAMWORK and it takes PATIENCE, LOVE, TIME, COMMITMENT to resolve. Thank you, NAMI.
I also have Bipolar Disorder type 1. I was diagnosed in 2007 at 17. I’m now 30. With taking your medication as prescribed daily, adequate sleep, and coping skills you too can live a wonderful life.
Hello Justina... thank you so much for sharing your experience with Bipolar 1. It's so important for people to understand that individuals with mental health challenges can lead a wonderful life with effective management tools.
I've was diagnosed with bipolar 1 a few years ago, I've always had it but never knew until I went into psychosis for a month and a half. And for me, the most helpful thing I've done for myself isn't a drug or a therapist but a hypnotist. Talk about seeing results first hand. My blood pressure use to be really high, now after being hypnotized for hugely reducing my anxiety, I went to the Dr.s and my blood pressure was PERFECT!! Not to mention it literally feels like 100lbs of pressure taken off my chest. I'm a runner, and breathing is now one of my favorite things to master because it feels so good to be in control.
thanks Andrea for sharing your story🤍 i also live w/ bipolar.
Andrea, my racing thoughts were the same as yours!
Thank you for sharing, Drea. 😀
I have negative racing thoughts. It feels like a tug of war of bad and good thoughts arguing in my brain. Am I alone?