Another day in my life

Aside from the fact that I still have trouble sleeping because my mind runs over so many things that have happened to me. I have a good life. I am always wondering when the bottom is going to fall out. I guess that's a part of the post traumatic stress that I live with. I used to wonder why I was always freaked out about having to do things or how to do things but now I know it's PTSD. Today I feel like my bipolar is catching up with me. I think it's because I've been sick for 3 days. It's bound to happen. I had a hard time with going into a store today with my daughter to return an item. How stupid but it happened.

I live with my daughter Stephany who is totally bipolar and won't admit it. It's so hard to deal with her and try to keep myself sane. I love her dearly but she can be quite abusive toward me. I try to let it roll off but until she moves out I have no choice. This is the daughter that just found out she's pregnant. Well tonight is a good night though, I have my baby girl Victoria sleeping in her bed and spending the night with me. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Some talk on Bipolar Disorder

Men and woman both get bipolar disorder. The illness is most common in people between the ages thirteen to thirty one. The cause for this is a mystery. Bipolar disease is definitely passed down from our family.

There are two different kinds of Bipolar, I and II. Bipolar I is more severe than bipolar II. This illness starts in the brain, when your bipolar the transmission in the brain, skips working in a pattern. It's weird but it's a good description of what happens. Bipolar is the same thing as manic depression. The manic meaning mania, it's makes you very fast, especially your speech and thoughts. I say it's going 120. The depression is a huge sadness overcoming you. It gets hard to do anything, especially get out of bed. These mania's and depression's alternate. The goal is to make them come to a medium. When your bipolar these mania's and depressive states are very severe.

There's another illness that is misdiagnosed alot, it's called cyclothymia. It's very close to bipolar II.

My thoughts on LITHIUM

When taking LITHIUM for bipolar disorder you will find it to be one of the best medications. However, you can experience some minor side effects. Clinical tests show that about 75% of people who take LITHIUM for bipolar illness will experience some type of side effect. These side effects will definitely weaken as you go on taking the medication. It's very common for allot of side effects to disappear after adjusting the dosage.

It is suggested that you let your doctor adjust your dosage, don't self medicate, like I always used to try to do.

The most common side effect's are: Hands shaking, diarrhea, thirst, vomiting, weight gain, increased urination, fatigue, hypothyroid, loss of hair, weak, concentration loss, loss of memory, and acne. I must add that I have experience all of these side effect's when taking LITHIUM. LITHIUM is a very strong medication. After time alot of these side effect's went away.

You must immediately consult your doctor if you experience any of the following: Slurred speech, walking difficulty, tripping, confusion, fainting, fever, and rapid heart rate. Express to your doctor all your medical history. Do not drink, drive or use machinery and stay away from all salt.

Do not double up on your medication.

I took LITHIUM for a total of 10 years and dealt with alot of side effect's but I really liked the medication. If I didn't get diabetes insipidus (another side effect), I would still be on it. I now take Trileptol, zoloft and abilify.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorders are one of many medical conditions called depressive disorders. Bipolar affects the way a person's brain operates.

Bipolar is widespread. In the USA, it's estimated that more than 18 million adults have Bipolar. That works out to about 1 out of every 8 people, so there's a good chance that you or someone you know is dealing with bipolar.


Bipolar disorder goes by many names: manic depression, manic-depressive disorder, manic-depressive illness, bipolar mood disorder, and bipolar affective disorder are medical terms for the same condition.

Bipolar disorder is classified into two different types: Bipolar I, Bipolar II,. Mental health experts separate the condition into these two types because the symptoms of bipolar disorder show up differently in different people. When doctors know what type someone has, they can tailor treatment to that person's specific needs.

Bipolar is a form of mental illness much comparable to a disease like diabetes. There is a lot of controversy in the term "mental illness". However, it needs to be excepted by oneself and treated long term. Bipolar also known as manic depression is a mental illness. Having a mental illness involves, thinking, perceptions and behaviors that are not considered the "normal" in our particular culture or what society may perceive.

Living with Bipolar

Your world becomes an oasis of ups and downs. It’s a fine line between the manic stages and the depressive stages. When your up, your really up and when your down, your terribly down. Sometimes is feels wonderful to feel the up (manic). Incredible feelings of power and energy overwhelm you. You believe you can wholeheartedly pull off any trick you try. In another second you can feel the pulling force of the dark abyss below (depression). You may feel like your being cut in half. If these symptoms go untreated you can feel 1 to 5 levels higher or 1 to 5 levels lower, if your lucky you can experience balance for a little while. You can never truly trust your own mind.

Thoughts about Mania or Hypomania

Elevated moods that interrupt sleeping patterns, effect your appetite, changes your feelings about situations, and definitely changes your thoughts, self-esteem and confidence levels is a good description of Mania. Mania changes concentration and decision-making. Bipolar display mania symptoms along with depression but there's a possibility to only have hypomania, which is mania but not so severe. Some people go directly from mania to depression called cycling. There may be a time of what I call "normal". Some people just have manic episodes and don't experience any depression.

Some more symptoms of extreme mania are as follows: Bizarre behavior, definitely substance abuse, Risky behaviors, impulsiveness, racing thoughts (especially at bedtime), difficulty to focus and concentrate, and major elevated energy.