Lived Experience Forum

[730]

Hi all

Just saw the forum and thought I would post this

I suffer from bi polar and I am interested how other people live. I have a wife 2 boys 6 and 8 and a mortgage so feel overwhelmed with responsibilities If you have bipolar
1. Are you able to work full time ?
2. What type of work do you do?

Work seems to be one of my biggest triggers so I am trying to workout how other people work.

I can't even afford to go to hospital when I am really sick as we would miss house repayments so I just solider on ridding a roller coaster
3 how do you get off the roller coaster?
Look forward to your replies 😄

[kato]

Hi @730 

Welcome to the forums,i too have bipolar, currently i am not working, due to a number of reasons, i will give a quick run down, sort of diagnosed in 08/09 medications psychologists etc, in 2012 i stopped taking my meds, was feeling ok, then due to have some severe episodic moments, lost my job.

I was working full time as a manager 6 days a week, Automotive sales, in a high stress environment, for me stress is a big thing for affecting me and my rollercoaster ride.

In speaking with my psychiatrist and psychologist for bipolar our cognitive thinking is generally very good.

For me i need to have some semblance of a structer, so i need to have my day planned out fairly set, have breakfast, lunch, dinner, go for a walk/exercise do breathing techniques/exercises.

Getting off the roller coaster, i am not to sure of, i am hoping that with the right combination of meds for me, and getting the right support from psychologist and psychiatrist i will be able to get off the roller coaster

I hope that helps, please feel free to ask more questions

[730]

Thanks very much for your feedback

I am starting to realise the toll it is taking on my wife as well.

I guess the general population are all trying to get off some sort of roller coaster. Kids to sports school work life balance ...

You mentioned structure which I think would also be very important to me and my family.

I am going to get back on fish oil tablets , vitamins, try exercising and find someone I can talk to on a regular basis. I mentioned the vitamins as they are good to maintain general health. I find after I get the flu it gives me the blues!

Also poor sleep routine seems to bring me undone all the time but I just don't seem to get into a decent sleep habit

Love to hear from more people and their challenges.

[Jon22]

Exercising would really be a help for the body and also for the mind.
Maybe try to have enough sleep, you could start your day right with it.