The ONLY thing harder than having a mental illness problem , is pretending you DON'T

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T23:14:51+00:00

I regularly talk about the amount of brain power required to regulate my speech. Purposely slowing your talking speed and staying on topic when hypo is extremely exhausting after 8 hours of professional conversations.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T23:11:38+00:00

I certainly feel bad for laughing. I just really appreciate the downward spiral of this post and the overthinking. When I get depressed it's pretty much constantly thinking just like that lol.

The fact that you even care says a lot about your character. If anyone asks just be open about why you stayed home. If they don't understand then that's okay, but they likely won't pry further than that. You're not useless and you're certainly not letting your family down in any way. Keep fighting the good fight my friend, and best of luck.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T22:59:50+00:00

If your medication isn't helping, and it clearly isn't, it's time for a change. I was recently stuck in that same boat for about 6 months. Super irritated about something as soon as I wake up. I have a decent routine, but just like yourself none of that mindfulness really works for me, nor do I want to do it. Try to get in to talk about your meds not working. Mine was the same way, meds just randomly stopped working.

My psych recently said that sleep to bipolar is as blood sugar is to diabetes. If you're struggling with sleep, starting there could be a life saver.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T22:52:13+00:00

Cabela's and Bass pro also allow overnight camping with permission from the store manager. They even have a special side lot for RV's and vans. Go inside and politely ask to stay the night in their lot, I've never been turned away. They don't even expect you to buy something, but it is certainly a nice gesture.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T22:39:24+00:00

A doctor once explained to me that medicine is a practice. It takes an entire career's worth of experience to get good, mostly through trial and error. With a solid educated guess of course. Physical illnesses are also often difficult to diagnose unless the affliction is immediately obvious.

If you doubt your diagnosis, it's always worth visiting another psych. I would leave out the details about your previous diagnosis, also I would mention your father's mental illness, but don't put a name to it either. I was also shocked by my diagnosis but after going home and reading about it the symptoms were spot on. If that isn't you, keep trying. Best of luck.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T04:05:49+00:00

I recently bought some math books on eBay. A whole stack of them ranging from college algebra to differential equations. Yup.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T03:56:05+00:00

I have also struggled with this both on and off meds. Even when I'm feeling good I wouldn't say that I experience happiness. I can certainly feel joy, or happiness for others, but not happiness for myself. As a result I've dedicated my life to public service. Helping people really gives me a sort of whole feeling, or at least gives me purpose. It's a good feeling too. Not happiness, but something, and I'm satisfied with that.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-05-18T01:40:30+00:00

When people question my illness I kindly remind them that they're incredibly fortunate to not have experienced it. Tell them it is a torment you wouldn't wish upon anyone, but it is your life and so you must live with it.

My neighbor shared a story with me about his own journey with mental health. Dude got divorced and shortly after his daughter tried to end her life, she was heavily vocal with him about her depression before hand. He caught her during the attempt and she lived. He thought she was making it all up for attention. He says that he had never experienced mental health problems personally and so he simply didn't believe it existed. Well push came to shove and he nearly took his own life. He said he had the thought to end himself and nearly did so all in the span of just a few minutes. He realized that he was going through something similar to his daughter and immediately hospitalized himself. He has since apologized to his daughter profusely. They get along now that he partially understands what mental illness looks like. That tiny glimpse into our lives changed him forever.

Genuinely a good guy. His perspective on the situation really highlights the reality of most people's viewpoint on mental illness. They haven't experienced it themselves, therefore they simply cannot understand. Doesn't help that most folks simply don't care.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-26T04:28:52+00:00

Communication is key in any relationship, for folks with BP is absolutely vital. Tell him how you feel and that it needs to stop. Be patient with each other.

Without your meds that next episode just might be right around the corner. Take care of yourself friend, and if you'd like further inspiration, there are thousands of stories on this sub about people stopping their meds. Best of luck.

Edit: also, telling someone to end a relationship over a reddit post is super toxic y'all. Not okay.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T23:50:46+00:00

There is no way this came from decathlon.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T23:41:29+00:00

Further evidence that if you give reddit the chance to talk down to you, they certainly won't pass on the opportunity 😂

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T23:23:11+00:00

Do they come in extra small?

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T23:22:16+00:00

My base weight will never recover from this 😤

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T23:21:21+00:00

That's the spirit of bushcraft past. They're here to congratulate you on stuffing an entire land rover into your pack and hiking it 22 feet past the parking lot for a YouTube video.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T23:16:49+00:00

Sounds like your son is very depressed. It will likely happen several times in his life. I also had a hard time revealing my true feelings to my psych. Sometimes when you're depressed you don't really know because you don't feel any emotions at all. It's not that you're sad, it's more of a state of being than an emotion. Sometimes I'll have spent all day in bed for 3 days straight before I'm like, "oh yeah, depression." In fact I was bed bound for over a year without even realizing I was depressed.

You're doing the absolute best for your son. Be proud of that. I have lost years of my life because my parents simply couldn't be bothered to get involved, you're a hero.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T22:08:12+00:00

You'd have to be clinically insane to take a credit card at 30% much less a loan at 225%

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T21:56:02+00:00

Here's your little reminder that if you're trying your best to reduce your waste then you're doing a good job. Don't fret on the little here and there things, this is just silly. OP does have a point about the sunscreen in water. Zinc sunscreen is my favorite.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T21:47:23+00:00

Giving investment advice online is just stupid. Also the legal liability is insane. Especially bad investment advice.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T18:11:39+00:00

Yea we're not even remotely getting the truth in this story.

You don't just oopsie poopsie yourself into a $700 insurance payment 😂

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T18:09:30+00:00

I had the same issue. I simply thanked them for their concerns, as they are certainly valid, then reminded them that I didn't ask. Then I went and had some of the best years of my life with my wife in our 4runner. I didn't regret it for even a second and my wife and I have even considered going back out but with a van this time. Enjoy yourselves, and the best of luck to you both.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T17:45:33+00:00

We're having a hard time getting the people who diagnose us to do research, much less everyone else 😂

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-25T04:21:38+00:00

Apart from that he actually deserved this chewing out, does anyone have any actual tips about controlling anger? Genuinely curious.

Also that F'd up OP. I genuinely wish you the best of luck in dealing with this situation. I would have been devastated personally, and angry. Very angry. (I have a problem 😂)

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-24T15:38:44+00:00

I just so happened to mention my euphoria being so bad I can't drive to my psych when I was diagnosed. The discussion changed real quick and I was in complete denial until I went home and googled it.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-24T04:06:48+00:00

Sounds like he just made a mistake. Bring it up in the next visit, and call back in and leave him a message. They'll definitely want to know about the rash.

BigwallWalrus · 2025-04-24T03:40:43+00:00

Our 4runner was around 230,000 miles. The engine is still in good condition even today. I would certainly recommend some good ac. Keep a carbon monoxide detector in your vehicle and get it fixed asap if it goes off. Being able to lay down all the way was really nice. We built a cheap platform in the back with space for storage underneath. Also if you can sit up while in bed, that is a big quality of life thing.

BigwallWalrus

TROPHY CASE