What's your biggest challenge?
What's your biggest challenge having bipolar disorder or knowing someone who does?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Leannan Glenn-Clark on -
Having bipolar disorder is my biggest challenge. No one else in my immediate family has it and they all know that I do so I always feel that not only do I have to cope with bipolar for myself but that I am often under a microscope and being judged by those surrounding me.
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Permalink Reply by Michelle-Nicholle Calareso on -
Focus, Focus, focus! I just have to try so hard. It seems like that is my biggest challenge so far.
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Permalink Reply by Leannan Glenn-Clark on
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I read your comment about focus last night but it wasn't until this morning as I was rushing around trying to do a million things at once and get more frustrated with each passing minute that it really hit me what you meant. I had never really thought about it but your right, looking back my most irritable moments generally occur when I have too many things racing through my head and am unable to focus in on one.
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Permalink Reply by jules43035 on -
Other than coping with the illness itself, my biggest challenge has been frustration over meds. I can't tell you how many meds I've tried (we're talking 50+) - some have worked on a limited basis, some worked for a while, some had so many side effects it wasn't worth it... you get the gist.
Fortunately, the med combo I'm on right now is working and I'm learning to live with the extra 30 lbs (LOL)!
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Permalink Reply by AmyAnne on -
My biggest challenge as a spouse of someone who is bipolar is trying to maintain perspective for myself and my children around and along with my husbands symptoms. Currently he is talking to no one. Not me, not the kids. When he does talk it is to say derogatory comments about himself like we don't love him, or the kids don't want to be around him. His new antidepressant is clearly not working, haha.
The kids are all 9 or under and very sensitive to what Daddy is behaving like. I can tell the 9 y/o that daddy is sick and is having a hard time trying to get better and she will ask questions to get more info, but she still takes it personally if he yells at her or ignores her for what appears to be illogical reasons (she's a kid). The 5 y/o is a bit more resilient but it does affect her, she just hasn't developed the skills to say she is sad for Daddy or confused. The baby is fine for now but wants to be on him when he is around.
I try to approach things with a sense of humor when I can maintain my detachment from the situation. He is going to overreact no matter what I say so I crack jokes when I can. The other day he started talking, which was cool, but it quickly went into "...I know you guys can't stand me. I'm such a piece of shit." So in my head I kept ending everything he said with "...said the depressive." After a while it slipped out. I laughed. He didn't. But it relieved the pressure that I felt building up in me.
Sometimes I just can't escape. I'm looking everywhere for a place to be where I'm not holding everything up. My chest hurts like I'm having a heart attack or my breathing won't calm down. I find it difficult to talk to friends and family because I'm afraid they will judge him. Well they have already and I don't want it to be worse. Making it a bit harder for me is that he behaves PERFECTLY around everyone else. Work, school, family, friends. Very charming and outgoing. Mostly only around our children and myself does he exhibit symptoms. That's hard to take at times.
Again, it is perspective. 24/7 checking of my perspective against the real world and the depressed/bipolar mind is totally exhausting.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy on -
I totally understand what you are talking about. I have the same problem with my husband. We knew his grandma and aunt were bipolar and I kept telling my husband and my mother-in-law that he was bipolar as well. After 18 years he finally went to a doctor and was told he was bipolar. That was two years ago and we are still trying to get him on the right medicine.
Our daughter is 15 and our son is 13. At this point in their lives they are having a really hard time understanding what is going on. I try to explain to them but after awhile when he doesn't want to spend time with them or sleeps all of the time they get resentful. I want to help them understand this since it is hereditary and they may have to deal with this someday. Even though I hope and pray that they don't.
At times I want to give up between two teenagers and raging hormones and my husband not really being a husband. When I get that way I try to take a few minutes to play videogames (which I know isn't very productive but it does take my mind off of things for awhile). :)
Just know that you are not alone.
AmyAnne said:My biggest challenge as a spouse of someone who is bipolar is trying to maintain perspective for myself and my children around and along with my husbands symptoms. Currently he is talking to no one. Not me, not the kids. When he does talk it is to say derogatory comments about himself like we don't love him, or the kids don't want to be around him. His new antidepressant is clearly not working, haha.
The kids are all 9 or under and very sensitive to what Daddy is behaving like. I can tell the 9 y/o that daddy is sick and is having a hard time trying to get better and she will ask questions to get more info, but she still takes it personally if he yells at her or ignores her for what appears to be illogical reasons (she's a kid). The 5 y/o is a bit more resilient but it does affect her, she just hasn't developed the skills to say she is sad for Daddy or confused. The baby is fine for now but wants to be on him when he is around.
I try to approach things with a sense of humor when I can maintain my detachment from the situation. He is going to overreact no matter what I say so I crack jokes when I can. The other day he started talking, which was cool, but it quickly went into "...I know you guys can't stand me. I'm such a piece of shit." So in my head I kept ending everything he said with "...said the depressive." After a while it slipped out. I laughed. He didn't. But it relieved the pressure that I felt building up in me.
Sometimes I just can't escape. I'm looking everywhere for a place to be where I'm not holding everything up. My chest hurts like I'm having a heart attack or my breathing won't calm down. I find it difficult to talk to friends and family because I'm afraid they will judge him. Well they have already and I don't want it to be worse. Making it a bit harder for me is that he behaves PERFECTLY around everyone else. Work, school, family, friends. Very charming and outgoing. Mostly only around our children and myself does he exhibit symptoms. That's hard to take at times.
Again, it is perspective. 24/7 checking of my perspective against the real world and the depressed/bipolar mind is totally exhausting.
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Permalink Reply by AmyAnne on
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Thanks Cindy. Video games are a fine way to cope, I should think. Looking for any kind of healthy way to get your mind off of the things out of your control. Whether you have this illness, another illness or are supporting someone it seems it is the little things that let you escape that will keep you going. Knowing that there are other people who understand really means a lot.
Cindy said:I totally understand what you are talking about. I have the same problem with my husband. We knew his grandma and aunt were bipolar and I kept telling my husband and my mother-in-law that he was bipolar as well. After 18 years he finally went to a doctor and was told he was bipolar. That was two years ago and we are still trying to get him on the right medicine.
Our daughter is 15 and our son is 13. At this point in their lives they are having a really hard time understanding what is going on. I try to explain to them but after awhile when he doesn't want to spend time with them or sleeps all of the time they get resentful. I want to help them understand this since it is hereditary and they may have to deal with this someday. Even though I hope and pray that they don't.
At times I want to give up between two teenagers and raging hormones and my husband not really being a husband. When I get that way I try to take a few minutes to play videogames (which I know isn't very productive but it does take my mind off of things for awhile). :)
Just know that you are not alone.
AmyAnne said:My biggest challenge as a spouse of someone who is bipolar is trying to maintain perspective for myself and my children around and along with my husbands symptoms. Currently he is talking to no one. Not me, not the kids. When he does talk it is to say derogatory comments about himself like we don't love him, or the kids don't want to be around him. His new antidepressant is clearly not working, haha.
The kids are all 9 or under and very sensitive to what Daddy is behaving like. I can tell the 9 y/o that daddy is sick and is having a hard time trying to get better and she will ask questions to get more info, but she still takes it personally if he yells at her or ignores her for what appears to be illogical reasons (she's a kid). The 5 y/o is a bit more resilient but it does affect her, she just hasn't developed the skills to say she is sad for Daddy or confused. The baby is fine for now but wants to be on him when he is around.
I try to approach things with a sense of humor when I can maintain my detachment from the situation. He is going to overreact no matter what I say so I crack jokes when I can. The other day he started talking, which was cool, but it quickly went into "...I know you guys can't stand me. I'm such a piece of shit." So in my head I kept ending everything he said with "...said the depressive." After a while it slipped out. I laughed. He didn't. But it relieved the pressure that I felt building up in me.
Sometimes I just can't escape. I'm looking everywhere for a place to be where I'm not holding everything up. My chest hurts like I'm having a heart attack or my breathing won't calm down. I find it difficult to talk to friends and family because I'm afraid they will judge him. Well they have already and I don't want it to be worse. Making it a bit harder for me is that he behaves PERFECTLY around everyone else. Work, school, family, friends. Very charming and outgoing. Mostly only around our children and myself does he exhibit symptoms. That's hard to take at times.
Again, it is perspective. 24/7 checking of my perspective against the real world and the depressed/bipolar mind is totally exhausting.
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Permalink Reply by Angel of Angel's Realm on -
My biggest trouble is realizing when I'm having a 'bi-polar moment' and not snapping at my daughter or husband. I'm getting better at telling her that I need a time out for a few moments and then walking away for a few. Then, after, we discuss what happened. I feel horrid about it, but I know that there is little that I can do about it. I'm medicated for it and its VERY noticable when I miss a pill. Now my husband and daughter can pretty much tell what's going on and what they can do to help out.
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen_Callista on -
My biggest challenge is having bipolar disorder and wondering who else in my family might have it.
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Permalink Reply by LaSara on -
My partner and I need to do a balancing act between our moods, and keep the house going, kids feeling safe and taken care of, and each other feeling supported and loved. It's a challenge, but we make it work - sometimes more, sometimes less, gracefully.
-LaSara
http://www.lasarafirefox.com
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Permalink Reply by Crystal Fleet on -
My biggest challenge is waking up each day and putting on a brave face for my children and boyfriend. I bottle up all my emotions and then fall apart later when there is no one around.
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