[babymamarn]

I have alot of problems with the depressive aspect, though being manic certainly has it's own problems. My doc says I have "mixed state". I can either be so wired and anxious to moving and thinking like a sloth, not to mention the extreme irritability. Also not sure if it's the meds, but sometimes I can't do simple math and other basic functions. I have to provide income for my family, but it seems like it is getting harder to manage my symptoms. Feeling a little desperate.

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by babymamarn

I have alot of problems with the depressive aspect, though being manic certainly has it's own problems. My doc says I have "mixed state". I can either be so wired and anxious to moving and thinking like a sloth, not to mention the extreme irritability. Also not sure if it's the meds, but sometimes I can't do simple math and other basic functions. I have to provide income for my family, but it seems like it is getting harder to manage my symptoms. Feeling a little desperate.

((((( babymamarn)))))))

[inthesky]

babymamarn,
I get horrible mixed states also. It seems like the worst combination of irritability, edginess, and depression =(. I'm just crawling out of a very serious episode..possibly triggered/exacerbated by night shift.

I knew I couldnt work when:
-I was so jumpy that i was startled by every loud sudden noise
-I kept thinking of going home and taking a drug overdose
-my thoughts were racing so much that i felt like everything took me twice as long and my memory felt impaired (i am not normally a really anxious person)
-i was needing more and more sleeping pills to fall asleep

also, I discussed this all with my psych doc and therapist.

bipolar disorder is technically a medical illness and disability. You could look into your work's emergency medical leave (FMLA--i think?). If you got into a car wreck and needed surgery, you would get emergency time off right?? Allow yourself time to get stable. I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to get back to work. I'm currently applying for a day shift position.

I wish you the very best; bipolar d/o sucks
<3

[nursingstudent209]

I'm in nursing school, but took this semester off to deal with issues. Before class about a year ago, I was jogging behind my house and I was attacked & raped. I tried not to deal with it at the time because I had so many things going. Eventually four months after the attack I checked myself into a hospital because I wasn't coping very well and I didn't want to leave my house. I was scared all the time that I would be attacked again. However, when I was hospitalized the doctor diagnosed with bipolar and put me on medication. while I was on the medication, I became suicidal so I quit taking the meds. I decided to take the spring semester off and spend time with my family in Arkansas. Since I have been here I have been in therapy and I'm finally coming to terms with everything and I don't feel ashamed of what happened to me. I've reapplied to nursing school and I explained my situation and with god willing I will be able to reenter nursing school back in Louisiana for the fall semester. I do believe sometimes people are misdiagnosed.

So, keep your head up and maybe attend therapy to help deal with your illness.

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by nursingstudent209

I'm in nursing school, but took this semester off to deal with issues. Before class about a year ago, I was jogging behind my house and I was attacked & raped. I tried not to deal with it at the time because I had so many things going. Eventually four months after the attack I checked myself into a hospital because I wasn't coping very well and I didn't want to leave my house. I was scared all the time that I would be attacked again. However, when I was hospitalized the doctor diagnosed with bipolar and put me on medication. while I was on the medication, I became suicidal so I quit taking the meds. I decided to take the spring semester off and spend time with my family in Arkansas. Since I have been here I have been in therapy and I'm finally coming to terms with everything and I don't feel ashamed of what happened to me. I've reapplied to nursing school and I explained my situation and with god willing I will be able to reenter nursing school back in Louisiana for the fall semester. I do believe sometimes people are misdiagnosed.

So, keep your head up and maybe attend therapy to help deal with your illness.

God bless you I am SO GLAD you are ok. I am sorry for what happened to you

[inthesky]

(((nursing student)))
I'm really sorry that happened to you as well and I'm glad that you've worked so hard to get passed it. It is something that might always hurt a bit. PTSD is often misdiagnosed. I have found that symptoms of PTSD can overlap symptoms of many other illnesses.. bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, even psychotic disorders! OCD..etc.

I wish you the very best <3 I've heard that the nursing schools in LA are very good.

[sharona97]

Originally Posted by zoeboboey

hi sharona, how did you get past me? lol

Surprise!!!! Hope you are doing well.

sharona

[kburns0016]

Wow I am soooo gald I found this thread~ I am recently D/X with Generalized anxiety disorder , panic attacks and bi polar disorder, and i cant sleep as well I am awake most of the night and want to sleep during the day to the point it is affecting my life (doc just rx'd ambien cr yesterday but i could not tell a difference last night)...right now I am in the stage where my Doc is trying to find the right fit for me Rx wise...have been through several meds including trazodone and seroquel...but now I am taking remeron, zyprexia, Librax and inderal with ativan prn! I start my NS classes this fall and I was sooo scared feeling like I was the only one going through this, finding this thread feels like a life saver to me! I am also looking at non drug interventions like exercise and journaling...but currently I feel trapped in a rapid cycling series of nightmares....I may be normal and "typical" for 12 14 or 18 hours , which are my manic periods then have an "episode"(named by my hubby) of uncontrollable crying, feelings of low self worth . The depressive episodes are easier to recognize in my case, I have come to realize that this latest series of episodes started after my school let out for the summer then I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and I was expected to be at home , in the house , alone with the kids ALL THE TIME! please dont get me wrong I love my children and I know my time with them is precious but I have a habit of not seeing to my needs (any of them)when I am a stay at home mom...I just give. give , give, give , give and give til I am all drained then I snap! I think the fact I am not sleeping like a normal person does not help either laying in bed awake til 3 or 4 am EVERY night begins to wear on woman after a while then once I fall asleep it takes a miracle to wake me ....I feel like baby with my days and nights mixed up.....awake all night ( regardless of meds)and falling asleep anytime I stop moving during the day~
I am hoping once school starts back I will begin to level off a bit as I was doing so well before school let out this spring and I had that surgery...things really started going down hill after that~
Maybe it is a good thing I am sooooo excited for school to start maybe that is a sign

Any way thank you all brave souls for sharing your stories and support!

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by kburns0016

..please dont get me wrong I love my children and I know my time with them is precious but I have a habit of not seeing to my needs (any of them)when I am a stay at home mom...

Glad you found us, check in often!

I so relate to the above, but somehow my son came out ok despite my illness AND despite my taking care of myself

[Babs0512]

I can relate to the sleeping difficulties your having. I, too, regardless of medications, can be up most of the night, and your right, it does wear on you after a while.

Your also insightful by recognizing that you "give and give and give..." and forget to take care of yourself. Now that you've recognized that, do take steps to correct it - it's easier to deal with a full plate when you've been getting proper rest, food and exercise. Taking some time just for you, may also be a great idea.

Good luck, keep us posted. God Bless