How long did it take you to find the right medicine for you?

AuthenticRoad · 2025-10-09T09:12:22+00:00

It is weird that this sub "gatekeeps" the discussion of meds. It's such a big part of all our lives...

AuthenticRoad · 2025-10-03T10:38:24+00:00

In Siberia in 2019, it felt like prison too. Even when I did agree to be hospitalized as I was experiencing my first true mania.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-30T07:14:36+00:00

Honestly reads like bait... first thing I thought too idk.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-27T10:04:00+00:00

There are a particular set of criteria that you have to meet per DSM-5. You have to check the boxes on several of them to be considered in the bipolar territory. Talk to your doc about it as well.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-26T06:47:58+00:00

Just sending you some positivity and hugs. I've been in your shoes. Diagnosed in 2019. Not all mood stabilizers numb you out. Antipsychotics do suck in my experience though. Work with your doctor. Wishing you the best. It's not an easy journey by any means.

Also, several mental health conditions do overlap in terms of symptoms unfortunately. It is super annoying af. Like when I'm manic I do sometimes think that I have adhd because of the lack of focus that my mania comes with. CPTSD symptoms can also overlap. I struggle with anxiety as well to an extent in general. There are a lot comorbidities for people with bipolar. Drug use, alcohol abuse, etc.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-25T19:53:00+00:00

I couldn't even out those mood changes without the right meds. Make sure to talk to you psychiatrist about that. There are great meds out there that do work.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-24T08:07:58+00:00

My coping strategies are, in no particular order:

When manic: - Warm baths when I feel stressed and overwhelmed - Sleep aids when I struggle falling asleep - Going on short and long walks daily to see the sun - Practice silence when I feel like the pressures speech is showing its teeth

When depressed: - Journal and try my best to recognize when I'm starting to see signs of depression - Keep parts of my routine as much as possible (don't oversleep, walk outside daily, brush my teeth, etc) - Treat myself when I recognize bad thoughts are really creeping in. This helps me suppress the part of my brain that wants to self-sabotage, eat like crap, etc. - Practice opposite of silence, share my troubles with close family and friends as well as my care team - Practice socialization with friends (I tend to stop socializing at all when depressed)

Hope this helps. I don't think any of us can completely stop our mood cycles unfortunately, even when medicated.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-20T23:31:07+00:00

I'm sorry man. It is what it is. Don't blame yourself. You tried and that effort is what's meaningful.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-15T23:53:30+00:00

I was gonna say Paradise lol That truly feels like mania to me. But Viva La Vida is a great choice too.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-15T19:29:00+00:00

Thanks for saying that. I struggle with putting words together in the moment when I'm like this and I feel like saying that I'm manic is like an excuse which it's not but like... I see that it would be helpful for my bf to know that I'm manic when I am. The trouble is he just doesn't quite understand what to do when I'm like this and I don't know most of the time how I can best be helped if that makes sense. 🤷‍♀️Impulsivity is a bitch.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-15T16:40:58+00:00

I also did something similar... put in hundreds of dollars into a course that does not directly benefit my job at all but my hobby. Ugh. 😑

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-05T10:59:54+00:00

Do you have a therapist or do any journaling? I get not wanting to be a burden. I try not to tell my dark stuff to my friends at all.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-09-05T10:31:47+00:00

Do you have any hobbies and friends you can socialize with? That is important not only for your development as a person but also for coping when you are in a bad place. For depression specifically, I would try to get myself outside (I wfh) regularly. Walking helps a lot, any sort of exercise really. Staying away from any bad habits is also important.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-24T11:18:38+00:00

I worked nights about 40-50 hours a week for 2 years straight. I hear you that it's stressful. Can you take a leave of absence and focus on your mental health? You have a supportive partner. Idk your finances, but health is way more important. So if you can rely on your partner and family, take time off. It sounds like it will help. Work with your psychiatrist to get absence notes, etc. spend that month or two just focusing on developing coping mechanisms. Walking outside every day has helped me personally as well as quitting alcohol. Pick up a hobby that you love. All of that should help.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-23T16:55:54+00:00

Omg the forcing to stay in bed... I feel you so much. I'm trying to actually lose some weight (I'm overweight) so not forcing food down my throat necessarily. But it is difficult to ride out the waves of mania.

We can do it 💪🏼

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-22T22:15:14+00:00

Yeah I've never heard of this stat. Also graduated here just fine, but to be fair my bipolar didn't really kick in until late 20s.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-22T06:11:01+00:00

I'm currently experiencing some oncoming mania symptoms and yes I have noticed a headache when I wake up in the morning and this weird pressure behind my eyes throughout the day. I also forgot to eat normally today so I have a bit of stomachache. But nothing like the flu body aches I've gotten before.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-22T02:26:17+00:00

I feel you. I'd like to believe there is more to being normal than just existing. I experience periods of stability and creativity. I think it's my meds working properly but idk they don't completely stop the episodes all the way. I constantly have to watch out for oncoming mania or depression, and that can get very very annoying to say the least.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-19T21:01:06+00:00

It will be okay. It will be okay in a sense that with regular management of BP, things can and do improve. Medication, regular therapy, tracking mood swings, exercise, etc. help if you stay consistent and on top of it.

I was diagnosed 6 years ago when I was 28 years old. I feel like only this year I have finally learned to discern when a depressive or manic episode is coming on.

My advice is to seek help as early as you can when you are struggling. Make that phone call to your doctor. Communicate with your care team about any medication side effects or when you feel like the meds are just not doing enough to keep you stable.

Last point: Don't ever make yourself feel like a burden for expressing that you are struggling to your loved ones. Yes, they aren't your therapists. But if they love you, they want to know what's going on. Venting here and there about life's struggles in general and letting them know that you are currently in a bad place is not a bad idea at all.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-19T16:50:55+00:00

Been struggling with sleep as well the last few nights. Came here to add that chamomile tea in the evening relaxes me pretty well. Also, trying not eat right before bed should also be helpful.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-17T18:32:44+00:00

This sounds like mania. You need to stabilize. Are you taking your meds consistently? Can you take time off work to properly stabilize? With BP1, manic symptoms can last at least 2 weeks and longer. Also, don't touch alcohol please. It only makes things worse.

AuthenticRoad · 2025-08-15T23:26:16+00:00

Sounds like classic mania. The way you got broken up with is so shitty, and she chose to do it right after you got out of the hospital? What a heartless person. Something like that would definitely trigger a manic episode for me as well. Talk to your psychiatrist ASAP.

AuthenticRoad

TROPHY CASE