Bipolar Disorder Community

Hi lexismom11,

My first thoughts are if how you have been feeling the past few weeks is the same or similar to how it's been for you in the past prior to a crisis, then for sure I would take concrete steps to prevent that from actually happening. For me the steps are likely different from what you would take, but what I do is (not always in this order) but 1) first, I figure out if I need to increase my meds (temporarily)-I've been on my meds for 20 yrs, so I can pretty much tell when i need to increase or decrease my meds - with my docs knowledge. 2) I usually need to call in for an extra therapy session to try to work through the internal, emotional/mental parts that are going on that are likely what is at the root of what's going on at the time. 3) Then for me, the part that if I neglect, 1 and 2 don't usually do much good - and that is, I make a list (in my head or on paper) of certain action steps that I HAVE to somehow make myself do. Simple things such as making myself shower and get dressed before i turn on the computer or do anything else because for me, if I don't, then I'm likely to not get dressed until late afternoon. I need to do my best every day at implementing those things even when I don't feel like it - I have to literally go through the motions and trust that in time, I will be doing those things with joy and life in them. Right now, #3 has been very difficult for me because - well, because there have been a lot going on for me lately that has/is making it a major struggle to do things that normally I wouldn't even have to think about. But I get up every morning with a fresh start and a new opportunity of getting it better that day no matter how much I blew it the day before. Each day brings new hope!

So I don't know if you have a therapist or not, but if you do, I'd highly consider setting up an extra appt with her/him this week. Also, do some writing about what you think may be going on for you - we generally don't go through difficult times just for the heck of it - there's usually something inside that needs to be addressed and worked through. I don't know how many times throughout the years that I've avoided a crash because with the help of my therpist, I was able to see what was really going on, and then deal with it.

Also, you said you just started a new medication which as I'm sure you know, can and often does contribute to our moods in a negative way either until it starts to work for you or it's determined that it's not the right med.

At any rate, try not to focus on the possibility of a crisis being around the corner for you. I think that sometimes we can actually bring on things like that because we focus on it - kind of like "we borrow trouble," you know? That's not to say we shouldn't do anything if we think somethings coming up, but we can take steps to prevent crisis rather than worrying about one coming.

Hang in there and be sure to stay in touch with your pdoc and if you don't have a therapist, I'd consider finding one. Medication can only do so much; adding therapy and self care is what can truly bring about healing and a healthy life.

Debbie

I know what is going on for me and it is school. I am having a hard time with my current class and it is stressing me out. Stress is a big trigger for me and I don't know that there is a way for me to avoid it. Because I am so stressed right now, it is making it harder for me to focus and concentrate on the work. It is a vicious cycle and I am stuck in it.

I don't currently have a therapist but I know where I can get a referral for one. I know having a therapist is important and I should be seeing one. I just saw my pdoc a few days ago and that is when he put me on the new medication. So I have a while to go before I will know whether or not the new med will work. I have an appointment June 12th and another one three weeks after that. So I will definitely be seeing him soon.

I am feeling quite anxious today and that has a lot to do with the stress from school. I have a daughter as well so I get stressed about taking care of her. I am a single mother so I can't really ask someone to help me out for awhile. I am having a hard time making myself do the everyday things. I work as well so I have little time for myself to relax. I just don't know what to do with myself sometimes.

If you are having trouble getting your school work and daily chores done, I have a couple of suggestions. For school work, look at the work that needs to be done, break down the tasks into sub-tasks and then write them on a calendar so that you work every day but don't have to do too much in a short period of time. Then look at your day and schedule when you will do the school work. A good time might be right after your child goes to bed unless you are too tired, or while she is in daycare or school. I was also a single mother in college. While my daughter was home, I was a mother. While she was in daycare or sleeping, I was a student.

For chores, again, break down the tasks. You might clean just one room a day or you might have a list of basic things you do every day along with hitting one "hot spot" (a place where things pile up) each day. It can be hard to get started on a chore, so set an alarm... maybe on your phone or computer. When the alarm goes off, get up and do chores for 15 minutes. Reset the alarm. Set... repeat. Things get done in a surprisingly short period of time.

There is also a website that tells about how to get things done. It sends out an email every day to tell you what chores should be done. It is at FlyLady. I don't know if we can post links here but you can find it with google.

I hope these ideas help you meet your goals.

Things got a little bad for me these past few days. I spent a couple of days in the hospital because of an od. I would have stayed longer, but the hospital I wanted to go to was full. My doctor works out of that hospital and I figured I might be able to talk to him. I do not feel any better now and I tried to talk to him but he didn't return my call until the next day when it was too late. I wanted to page him, but I got an answering machine message instead so that was disappointing. I am just feeling lost and alone right now.