Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

Thanks @Blep, I am ok - a little up and down but I guess that is to be expected at the moment. This forum helps 🥰

[eth]

Hi @Blep  sorry for delayed reply.  Hang in there - hope your appointment on Friday goes well for you.  I think you know I have bipolar (1) too.  Sleep dep is definitely an issue for me and if it gets too bad it is def a trigger for swings, usually into hypomania at least.  I use a monitoring chart every day so I can keep track of things - not sure if I've mentioned it to you before.  It really helps me and my pdocs see as soon as things start to change one way or the other.  

Hope you're getting some day naps with your little one to compensate a bit for what's happening at night.

[Blep]

Hey @eth. Yeah I'm really looking forward to the appointment. No you never told me about your monitoring before. So is it just your mood or anything else? Would be good to maybe talk to my psychologist about it.

[Blep]

Hello everyone, I hope all of you are having a nice easy day. It was so cold and over cast earlier and now beautiful blue skies.

Anyway I have my telehealth psychologist appointment today. I'm not really sure how I feel after it. I told her everything going on and my concerns about developing bipolar like my mother. My mothers sister also has it and their father did too. My main concern is if I have an episode while home alone with my little man. When my mother had her first episode I was 17 so it was ok to deal with but with a baby! I just dont know what I would do if something happened to him because of me.

I have been told to start monitoring myself with dates, times and what has happened to at least get a better understanding if it is sleep deprivation or an illness. She also suggested to maybe see a psychiatrist which I have never seen one before. I dont believe I need to see one just yet, I think i need to monitor first and take it from there. From my knowledge a psychiatrist is mainly trained in medication while a psychologist is trained in the mind, so then how does a psychiatrist gain the knowledge on what medications to give you if any?

She also said that if i do feel myself starting to slip into a deeper hole to definitely call a psychiatrist and get a psych evaluation. I may need to be hospitalised, which kinda frightens me.

As i said before im not really sure how I feel after that appointment.

@eth @Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope @outlander @NatureLover @Adge @Shaz51 

[Faith-and-Hope]

💜 @Blep 

[eth]

Hey @Blep   Hearing that today is a challenging one for you.  I understand your concerns about developing bipolar because it's in your family.  I have bipolar 1 which wasn't diagnosed until I was 46 (I'm now 57).  For me, getting a diagnosis at last was a positive thing overall.  It meant I knew what to research to inform myself better and learn how to recognize and manage during episodes, identify triggers and use 'sleep hygeine' (worth googling).  For some years now I've used charts to monitor what's going on and they are really helpful for me and my pdocs.  I have psychologist and psychiatrist, but had neither the first 5 years post diagnosis.  Life is much better with both on board.  A new psychiatrist will talk to you at length at first to assertain what's happening for you, before they prescribe anything.  And it can take a bit of trial and error to get the right meds it's true.  But for me it's been well worth persevering as I have now been stable for nearly 3 years, after having bipolar episodes since my early teens.  It's a balance between meds, therapy and self-management.  If you want to ask me questions about how it manifests please do.  There are a few different types of bipolar - 1, 2 and rapid cycling are the common ones.  IMO it would be much better to find a psychiatrist and get more on top of things than to have to go to hospital.  The chart I've used for sometime now that I find the best is this one :  https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bipolar-lives.com%2Fbipolar-mood-chart.html&ps...

I do understand that this can be pretty scary stuff so please keep reaching out.  I am sure from your posts that you are a dedicated responsible parent.

This might also be useful for you to read :  https://www.bipolar-lives.com/bipolar-mood-chart.html

[Adge]

Yes you are right @Blep Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors - they prescribe antidepressants & other medications.

Rarely do they do "Talking Therapy", to work through any emotional issues. Plus they are very expensive, if seen in private practice.

Psychologists specialise in working with emotional & mental health issues (they're not doctors) - through talking through those issues, & teaching positive coping strategies & better ways of thinking about issues.

Adge

[Blep]

Thank you so much @eth for the information! I just quickly checked that site and have already downloaded the ebook to start reading.
I know you said it its fine to ask how it manifest for you and I would love to know but only if you want to. It seems a very personal thing and I appreciate it if you do.
I guess with gaining as much information as i can and having my husband informed as well we will hopefully be able to notice if there are any changes

[eth]

Hey @Blep  I have to go out this morning but will def get back to you later.  Hope this morning is a gentle one for you.  So glad you are finding the info I shared helpful.

[Blep]

Whenever you can @eth there is no rush. Enjoy your morning out. Lets yet say im running on maybe 1 cylinder this morning due to my little man not sleeping well at all.