r/bipolar 21h ago

Resources & Tools BP1+2 Emojis

0 Upvotes

Hello humans, I (adhd c, bp1, asd traits...sprinkle + comorbs) want to start a social account focused on mentals conversations, research discussions and real xperiences with adults...still figuring it out.

Just wanting to check the emojis I found. Which do I use for bp, bp1 and bp2?

Here's what ive found for bp1:

šŸŽ­...

šŸ’› šŸŽ—ļø awareness

šŸŽ¢...

šŸŒ— / šŸŒ“

BP

šŸ’š

šŸ–¤šŸ¤


r/bipolar 14m ago

Living With Bipolar Am I manic

• Upvotes

Recently I’ve started feeling that I’m a god. I feel that everyone should pray to me and bow down to me. I also feel like taking over the world literally. Am I manic


r/bipolar 19h ago

Coping Strategies Help- how can I get through crisis?

3 Upvotes

I did a very good job at managing my bipolar symptoms- then some life changes happened and I feel lost a stranded going through symptoms again- I hit a crisis point last night and I still feel sad, anxious and completely off (depressed)what should I do? What steps do I need to take? How can I help my partner know what to do?

I’m trying to survive work for the next 7 hours but what can I do- thank you!


r/bipolar 15h ago

Support Needed can’t sleep but swear i’m not manic

5 Upvotes

it’s currently 2am and i’m wondering if anyone else can relate to my experience. for context i (f23) have been stable for 5 years since being diagnosed and medicated. i haven’t been fully manic or depressed since 2021 which i know im so grateful for.
the thing is there will be times where im not necessarily manic but im not what i would consider ā€˜normal’.
tonight, for instance, i had a stressful shift at work (i work with young people in residential housing) and im finding it hard to wind down. its strange because i was feeling slightly this way last night but was able to take a melatonin got to sleep. tonight… well i took a melatonin a few hours ago now.
i find it so hard to describe these feelings to my therapist or psychiatrist. i dont want to label it as manic, because its not, so i usually say mini mania. other times this happens are when i am up submitting an assignment late or something triggering happens. luckily its a rare occurrence but its still so confusing. other than insomnia, my other symptoms include impulse buying clothes at night, racing thoughts, jittery, more talkative, alert, keep finding things to do other than sleep etc.
for further context i got diagnosed with adhd a couple of weeks ago too. though the doctor did say it was mild and the inattentive type so i dont think im hyperactive or anything?
if anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences, please share! i would really appreciate it :)


r/bipolar 19h ago

Support Needed Missed a dose accidentally?

18 Upvotes

To put it shortly, I may have missed a dose after 4 years going strong. My living situation has become a bit hectic all of a sudden, I had a really long work day on top of a summer of long work days, my partner wasn’t around to see if I had or not, and I didn’t want to accidentally double dose. I’ve now put in a reminder so I can check it off but this has never happened before. I got basically no sleep and have had weird hot/cold chills all night. I’m also stressed and have lost a night of sleep over stress before…

Has anyone accidentally missed one dose and it be fine? The internet says to stay calm it’ll probably be fine with some side effects but I’m really nervous I royally screwed up and my life is going to start falling apart. I took a sick day.


r/bipolar 22h ago

Rant I just need to vent

9 Upvotes

This is hurting me so bad. The mood swings. I’m down or I’m up no in-between. But does anyone else feel like they constantly have to make themselves ā€œupā€ to appease those around you? Or just meet everyday responsibilities?

Of course I’m sure. I’m struggling guys. Brief, but my experience with this didn’t really start until late teens/early 20s. I come from a Christian Science background. If you know you know…. It was never acknowledged and actually was very rejected by my mother or anyone when I tried to voice what was happening. So what do we do? Cope. At least try. I coped in all the wrong ways of course.

I leveled out by 27. I thought. I had a baby. Health issues. But then I had another baby, too fast. Love them both, but it’s been a lot. My mental health took a downward turn. Nothing scary, just down. Down down down.

I find myself in depression often. I love my kids. This is all I ever wanted. But fuckX maybe it’s the world, multiple issues problems… but I feel disconnected from myself totally.

It’s hard. Not knowing how I’ll think or feel. Feeling ashamed of anything I say or do, regretting it, then doing it again instantly.

I find I am drawn to people with this, unknowingly. It’s not a shock most of my friends are bipolar or adhd or depressive.

I just have to get right. As in I’d love to be off all medications. šŸ’Š that seems silly as I try and it slaps me in the face. At least I can start with some. Idk if anyone else can relate but also having adhd (and suspected autism) I think the meds are hurting more than helping.

That’s just me though. I work in special education actually. Why, because they are some of the only people I feel genuinely okay around. I love my clients and students. I feel for them. I relate.


r/bipolar 17h ago

Rant Hate being in the middle

9 Upvotes

I feel like my brain’s baseline is so fucked up - it’s hard to just enjoy normal life stuff and accept a regular way of living. It’s absolutely killing me. Whenever life starts feeling too normal I have to fight the urge to jump on a plane and do a full life reset. During some of my manic/hypomanic phases, I genuinely had some incredible experiences and everything just starts feeling pretty bleak in comparison. Now it feels like I need a ton of stimulation and adrenaline to actually feel satisfied. I hate that I know how great I ā€œcanā€ feel.


r/bipolar 18h ago

Living With Bipolar Easier ways to manage a house while in a depression episode.

9 Upvotes

Hi everybody!

Having a mood disorder makes a lot of our lives harder than most. Prioritizing important stuff over all of it. Meanwhile at the same time it can be overwhelming looking at the mess.

But...

Let's break it down into easier more manageable ways. What works for one won't always work for the next. Make this plan according to your energy.

REMEMBER WE ARE AIMING FOR BETTER NOT PERFECT!!

  1. Timers

This was a huge help when I started to climb out of the hole I put myself in. I knew I only needed to keep going until that timer went off. Sometimes you get into the momentum and keep going beyond that timer. If so, thats great! If not, lets try again in a hour or two.. or tomorrow.

  1. Categories

Just tackle a few thing. Trash first, dishes second, and then laundry. Put those items where they belong, not away.. just inside that room. Our focus is one area at a time like the living room and when you're finished with those items stop or move on. Totally up to you!

  1. Motivation

We all know this is probably one of the most diffcult obstacles with bipolar.. getting or staying motivated. Once I was able to muster up motivation and energy I became unstoppable and this where I saw the most progress. My secret is... YouTube. Watching other people clean and break down areas was a huge help. It motivated me to clean my house and I wanted to. I watch real life cleaning videos. Not those pristine houses that "influencers" have, but of real life homes that look like ours.

  1. Prioritizing cleaning tasks

Aside from what is done daily, what would help you feel better in your space? Is that a clean coffee table or maybe its a clear staircase because the mail has been sitting there for three months. This will look different for everyone.

  1. Housecleaning help

If you are able to spend it.. use it! There are a lot of local cleaning businesses that want to help you with no judgements. These services are generally cheaper than you think. Staying on a maintenance clean will help with those deep cleaning spots that need to be done. The ones you hate.. cleaning out the oven, pulling appliances out and cleaning under and on the side. Cleaning under the couch cushions and under the couch as well. Maybe you just need some help with weekly cleaning tasks. Use this as a resource and not a "I never have to clean now". No you still do lol

And don't forget...

We want BETTER not perfect. We aren't deep cleaning or organizing. If you feel up to.. do it. If not, no worries. Maybe another day, week, or month.

I hope this helps you! Add other tips and tricks in the comments to help others šŸ‘‡šŸ¼


r/bipolar 13h ago

Rant Struggling now that my anti psychotic was increased

10 Upvotes

Mostly need to rant but advice is welcome.

So my anti psychotic was increased a couple of days ago and then further increased today. It's being used to treat psychotic symptoms in the form of delusions, which I do not believe are delusions no matter how many times my psychiatrist and loved ones have said it.

To make it brief it involves being warned that my chest is rotting and that some sort of tragedy is coming through the music of Ethel Cain. And furthermore that it is from the fictional character the songs are about rather than the artist behind the character, Hayden. I believe there is an alternate reality where Ethel Cain exists and is sending me messages.

Now it is as though those thoughts have had their volume reduced, like going from screaming to talking. It feels good in the sense that I am no longer spending all my free time, as well as time at work, trying to decode meanings and lyrics. The issue is that I feel like my ability to decode these messages which I still believe are out there for me to discover, has been reduced. And I am becoming worried I will miss something important due to my meds interfering that will have consequences later on. I feel like I see the world with less clarity now


r/bipolar 7h ago

Support Needed I miss my hypomania

23 Upvotes

Ive bene having some very light hypomanic episodes, but i miss so much the heavier ones, i even thought of shopping medications. I grieve It, i miss It with all of me. I even miss the worst parte such as paranoia and having Little tò no sleep for days. I dont know what to do, Is this normal?


r/bipolar 15h ago

Living With Bipolar Full acceptance of taking medication

37 Upvotes

I just came off my medication entirely about a month and a half ago, yet again. I had the worst manic episode I have ever had in my life and I genuinely can’t even believe that I survived. The hospital workers, like the nurses, and the psychiatrist saved my life by putting me back on proper medication and giving me the Haldol shot.

I am 33F and I have reached a point on this journey (I was diagnosed at 21) that I fully accept needing to take medication for the rest of my life and I’m completely ok with it because medication literally is the only thing that keeps me together, other than my support system and my learned coping mechanisms.

Don’t be like me and just take the damn meds. The doctors want to help us and a good amount of them actually care.

Just grateful for my life today. Keep it up, warriors.


r/bipolar 9h ago

Weight Discussion Weight loss

2 Upvotes

Has anyone else ever lost a lot of weight? I’ve lost a ton of weight and it’s not typical for me at all, I was just wondering if this is something anyone else has had as a symptom. I’m pretty sure the cause of it is literally just not wanting to deal with preparing food / tired


r/bipolar 10h ago

Grief & Loss I didn’t survive, I’m someone else

64 Upvotes

It’s been so much trauma. Living in my car, going to jail, going to residential treatment in a different state, meeting my first love, getting pregnant, being forced to do adoption. Leaving the hospital I went out a different person. I’ve had a lot of hard things nothing compares. I cried all day for months. I had permanent bags under my eyes. Seeing her again she was like a stranger. There’s days where it’s fine others it’s not. It’s been 5 years. The grief is always there like her birthday not being on the family calendar. Or when people say to me oh is this your first when I’m out with my son. I didn’t survive losing her I am not that person anymore


r/bipolar 11h ago

Support Needed Advice needed!

8 Upvotes

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 just over 5 years ago after a horrible manic episode at 47. Looking back at my life I wouldn’t say I showed major signs of bipolar and went many, many years with absolutely no symptoms at all.
Anyways, my husband had an affair with someone 20 years younger than him and is blaming my bipolar. Attacking me at every opportunity. I have been stable and medicated for 4yrs. He said to me last night- Go take your yogurt and your medication, go to sleep. Rinse and repeat. It’s the sign of insanity!
I work full time
He’s become my worse nightmare. Telling me all the time I’m not fit to be around kids (16,16,18). Meanwhile while he was having affair he was out of house from 8am-9pm every day.
He says he’s moving out but I don’t believe him.
He was so supportive before this affair.
Why is he behaving like this and bringing up my bipolar at every opportunity? Telling me I’m crazy all the time!!


r/bipolar 12h ago

Rant I feel alone in my problems

7 Upvotes

I dont feel my parents can help me. With my therapist I dont see any progress in myself with the many sessions we've probaby my fault.

My fridge smells terrible because of a mistake I made. I dont enjoy class anymore and have to drag myself to college.

I've been addicted to graphic content for ages. I was going to go to an EMDR therapist but I never got round to a proper session. I'm bipolar with ADHD and very likely autism.

I struggle with boundaries and goals. My mental health continues to deteriorate.

I'm starting to realize I'm just stuck like this.

I wish I didn't have to deal with any of this anymore.


r/bipolar 12h ago

Living With Bipolar My dr says i might have ocd

1 Upvotes

For context I am bipolar and have bpd. I did a little research and there is likely 20% who meets the criteria of having ocd while being bipolar. And theres no way possible that i saw it coming. I am kinda skeptical if I have it or not. The moment I went home and sat and thought about it, the more I got aware in some sense? But I am scared that I might be forcing myself doing things intentionally just because I might have ocd, if that makes sense. Does anyone felt this way before or is it just me.


r/bipolar 13h ago

Living With Bipolar Newly diagnosed - any advice?

3 Upvotes

Hi! I was recently diagnosed after receiving an ADHD diagnosis years ago (and now being told that was a misdiagnosis). My doctor is changing up my meds (currently on Vraylar and starting Gabapentin + Lithium) and I have no idea what to expect.

I guess I'm just looking for general advice/tips for making life easier. I'm constantly so irritable and anxious, I have no motivation to do anything, and every little thing sets me off.

Any support is appreciated :)


r/bipolar 13h ago

Living With Bipolar Killed sex drive?

3 Upvotes

Hello all! Decided to make this post because i’m curious if anyone else’s meds make it hard to get aroused.

I’m currently on 1200mg of Oxcarbazepine / 200mg Lamotrigine a day. I take Hydroyxcine for my anxiety/insomnia as needed.

It’s not much of a problem for me or my husband. If anything, it’s given me room to focus on other things like working out and jewelry making.

This isn’t a post to be nosey , just genuinely curious


r/bipolar 13h ago

Support Needed Wanting to not be here

3 Upvotes

My bf is in a cult called IDMR. We've been together for five months. This is my soulmate. I won't talk to my guy friend anymore because he and I used to like each other well over a year ago now we're best friends. My bf doesn't mind I just feel like I'm cheating on him because I wouldn't like him doing the same and I just want to be a good gf.

With him, he has kept pressuring me to join his classes or at least attend but I tell him I don't want to. But everything time I talk about my spirituality he brings up his classes saying "I thought you were coming to my classes?"

Since then, I'm psychotic, I hear voices calling me a list, cheater and I don't deserve to be here because I'm a cheater....it's heavily distressing me. What should I do???? Please.


r/bipolar 14h ago

Support Needed Emotional Blunting

2 Upvotes

My medication has caused a bit of emotional blunting which I was incredibly grateful for initially. I wasn’t so affected by everything in life. However, now that my relationship is on the rocks to the point I am contemplating ending my engagement, I am not so grateful. I can’t feel/gauge the severity of the situation accurately as my reaction has been so mild. I want to feel as upset as I feel I should be but I can’t. It’s confusing and frustrating right now. Has anyone felt with emotional blunting clouding judgement before? Any advice is appreciated.


r/bipolar 5h ago

Living With Bipolar Depression hit

2 Upvotes

Does anyone else deal with feeling heavy when the bipolar depression hits? Yesterday my manic episode ended and hit with depression. It felt like a flip of a switch, it started with a headache and then my arms and legs started to feel so heavy. Was wondering if anyone else deals with this when a depressive episode hits.


r/bipolar 15h ago

Support Needed Feel like I’m being punished for trying to take care of my mental health

7 Upvotes

Hi there, I’m 36m, and I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 and generalized anxiety disorder about 8 years ago and was trying my best to keep it in check and manage my health. Around 2020 with Covid and an earthquake that happened in my area I had to move, lost my job, and lost contact with my NP that was helping me. So at that time I ran out of meds and couldn’t really find a new doctor (because of no insurance). So I tried a natural approach. Needless to say it didn’t help.

During the past 6 years I’ve had some major ups and downs, and I’m pretty sure I’ve shifted into bipolar 1 (no formal diagnoses yet) as I noticed I had a major manic episode when visiting Las Vegas. I finally got a somewhat stable job and have decent insurance now.

This past week I met with a spiritual advisor (who happens to be a psychologist) and he referred me to a local NP that might be able to help get me on new meds and even out my moods. Only problem is the appointment is 2 weeks out.

I say I feel punished because I disclosed to my immediate supervisor my bipolar disorder, and explained that I would be adjusting to medication. Since then the leadership at work has been kind of distant short with any requests or questions. Coworkers have been less than helpful and I’ve even had jabs at my mental health.

I just wanted to feel better and I feel stupid for disclosing. Maybe I can get some intermittent fmla and refocus on myself while getting my meds figured out.

Does anyone have advice for navigating bipolar in the workplace? I feel like I’m losing myself and on the edge of losing control of everything.


r/bipolar 4h ago

Newly Diagnosed How long did y’all take to feel like yourself again after a mixed episode?

2 Upvotes

I was a confident, bubbly, silly woman during 30 years and then had a very intense mixed episode including psychosis, it’s been a month since I am out and although I feel better w meds and therapy. I get the ick everytime I think about my episode I literally have to color, make a puzzle or do crafty things to take my mind somewhere else… how long did you guys take in order to move on? What changes helped the most? Diet? Exercise? Hobbies? TIA


r/bipolar 3h ago

Support Needed I feel weird

3 Upvotes

don't think it's like psychosis or anything but almost a similar vibe. like lacroix... like the memes about lacroix.... idk if people still make those memes. things have unhooked themselves a bit and flown around my head like butterflies. I am trying to stay grounded here, I can do that. but I want to explain things in the poetic way they happen in my mind.

I can't talk to people. it is hard to go outside. people's gazes seem to hurt me. I got scared my neighbour was trying to flirt with me so now I changed my schedule completely so we never run into each other and I have been ignoring his texts. other people too. my friends. because I can't talk to people, I feel their eyes all over me and I can't interface with the real world the same way right now. it feels like there are small people or spirits around me who move out of my line of sight when I turn my head. I can't see them because they move out of the way, but I sense them there in some way.

I am so sad and I can't focus. I sleep so much. I am so hungry. I want to hybernate. I can't focus on anything. I am not handing in assignments for my classes and I have an exam tommorow I can't get myself to study for. I'm in this hopeless haze where I think nothing is ever going to change and I'm too tired to do anything about that or anything don't worry I guess. but I'm so tired. and I wish I could even at least relate to or talk to the people around me but that doesn't seem to structure right in my head anymore.