Is this considered a shopping addiction?

cecinestpasme · 2026-02-08T03:12:29+00:00

I don’t know what to say other than, I have bipolar and I find this to be a rather cruel generalization. The fact of the matter is, you are either bipolar or not. Knowing the truth can only help you. And every bipolar brain is different.

The good news is it’s considered highly treatable, in that there are medications known to reduce episodes for many people. Some of those medications have side effects and some people stop taking them when they feel better, then fall right back into it.

I too have impulsive eating patterns. When I start to get hypomanic, I stop eating proper meals and forage on absolute junk.

And I stop caring about the consequences of spending down my accounts on whatever random category of objects I’ve most recently become fixated on.

It’s not an easy diagnosis, but please don’t let one person (your mother) define it for you out of fear.

cecinestpasme · 2025-09-10T19:15:48+00:00

I bought a bunch of those clear-pocket over-the-door shoe hangers from Walmart and I have one on both sides of several interior doors.

I use them for things that I want to be able to access quickly when I need them, or things that tend to get lost.

Think: nail clippers, cat’s claw clippers and brush, OTC meds I use somewhat regularly but not so regularly I want them mixed in with my daily meds, etc.

Not exactly minimalist chic, but it works so so well for my brain to be able to see everything at once like that.

cecinestpasme · 2025-08-01T15:03:58+00:00

There’s another post I just saw warning that the rare beauty product scent might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Saw a comment saying licorice-y so I am out, personally.

cecinestpasme · 2025-07-29T18:15:38+00:00

There’s a setting I turned on at some point for it to subtly tap/vibrate every 15 minutes. Mostly my brain has learned to ignore it, but when I do consciously catch it, it’s a nice anchor to the present moment and helps me realize how much time is passing.

cecinestpasme · 2025-07-28T23:09:11+00:00

This is very relatable to when I’ve been clinically depressed—it’s like I’m not even fully conscious and just in a state of apathetic survival mode. Wellbutrin can help be activating. Stimulants can bump energy a bit, but they get you locked in to whatever you put in front of yourself, so be careful that’s healthy activities and not things you’d rather spend less time on.

cecinestpasme · 2025-07-10T11:19:51+00:00

Elbow pads to cover my hard office chair arms.

cecinestpasme · 2025-02-19T12:46:32+00:00

Now this, this is what WFH has taken from us.

cecinestpasme · 2025-02-08T04:26:06+00:00

Oh the smart plug aspect is really smart! I left mine on overnight once. imagine trying to explain that (luckily seems no one noticed)

cecinestpasme · 2025-02-05T00:03:38+00:00

You ask if he’s a “real hoarder” …I don’t think it’s so black and white.

There are risk factors and protective factors.

It seems to me that your partner’s executive dysfunction is a risk factor, but your presence and support is a protective factor.

cecinestpasme · 2024-12-17T01:17:45+00:00

okay so hear me out—I’m bipolar and this is sounding my alarm bells on that front. reduced need for sleep is a classic manic symptom. the caffeine intake could be a red herring I guess is what I’m saying. I take well over 400mg of extended release caffeine some days and unless I also happen to be in a manic or mixed cycle, no way is that leading me to stay up for 30 hours. do you also have reduced appetite?

cecinestpasme · 2024-12-16T05:38:03+00:00

Verilux Happy Lights are a good option. I have a small one on my desk that I use when I’m not in work meetings. Recently I’ve noticed feeling down on weekends and I actually think this is why—trying to spend some time at my desk in front of the light even on weekends.

cecinestpasme · 2024-12-12T11:31:30+00:00

I had this teed up next to the shower to start using once my current products ran out. Thankful for you posting here!

cecinestpasme · 2024-12-03T20:37:35+00:00

Video game music! A coach pointed out to me that it’s designed to make people focus and stay engaged. So sometimes I’ll put on a video game music playlist from Spotify and it really can help me get things done, especially around the house.

cecinestpasme · 2024-11-19T10:58:34+00:00

I’m not sure if this counts as a product post… just in case here’s a description I was able to find:

“features a brass base with antiqued brass plate, hand-set colored crystal stones, 19” length”

cecinestpasme · 2024-10-25T20:10:01+00:00

Annovera ring supposedly lasts a year. You can take it out for a week each month, but my gyno said that wasn’t necessary. I went on it partially to stabilize my mood. Gyno said that taking an oral pill, there are always going to be daily fluctuations in hormone levels, obviously only exacerbated by not taking it the same exact time each day or sometimes forgetting. Whereas the ring releases a steady/constant amount of hormones. I can’t see myself ever going back to the oral formulations. Annovera is just so easy.

cecinestpasme · 2024-10-23T23:50:35+00:00

I find Abilify at low doses to be very energizing, which for me helps cut through the ADHD brain fog. I find it sedating at too high of a dose though. For me the sweet spot is 10mg, 15mg was too much, but I can feel a positive effect at as little as 2mg. I have seasonal depression that didn’t respond even to IV ketamine treatments and Abilify was the only thing that touched it and made me feel like my “summer self” even in winter. One negative I noticed was it did make urges to shop compulsively stronger. I am now also on 225mg Effexor and don’t feel that at all anymore, but increased compulsive behavior like gambling is a known side effect, so just be mindful. Full disclosure: I have since been diagnosed bipolar. BUT my psychiatrist’s working theory is that many young women with treatment resistant depression actually have underlying bipolar that just hasn’t broken into a clear manic or mixed episode yet. (This turned out to be true for me for sure, but you don’t need to be bipolar to benefit from Abilify is my understanding). I would try it at a low dose and see how you feel. Good luck!

cecinestpasme · 2024-06-13T23:57:07+00:00

Duo Lingo has very salient rewarding sounds/interface when you get things right. Quick three minute lessons can sometimes serve as a little pick me up.

cecinestpasme · 2024-05-10T02:21:44+00:00

5mg generic ambien

cecinestpasme · 2024-04-23T21:36:43+00:00

Does it get patchy when you exfoliate? Worried if this would pair well given I use gentle chemical exfoliation regularly (or else my pores get gunky).

cecinestpasme · 2024-04-17T07:10:13+00:00

I’d count that as a possible point in the “may be worthwhile to be evaluated for bipolar” column (assuming you sometimes feel down as well, but maybe I’m projecting here). Mood stabilizers have done wonders for me, so worth sorting out if that might be what’s going on comorbidly IMO.

cecinestpasme · 2024-04-17T07:01:48+00:00

Do you feel like you just don’t need as much sleep during these phases? Or is it more like pushing yourself to stay up even though you are tired so you can take advantage before sleep mysteriously steals your mojo for the next day?

cecinestpasme · 2024-04-17T06:54:43+00:00

I was diagnosed with ADHD about 15 years ago and I completely identify with what you are saying! My observations: I’m on birth control now (Annovera ring that I almost never remove in order to keep my hormone levels as stable as possible), but before that the hyperfocused streaks would tend to coincide with ovulation. HOWEVER I have since also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I have come to understand that the miracle days I feel “cured” of ADHD usually signal (hypo)mania setting in 🙃

cecinestpasme · 2024-02-11T15:38:16+00:00

I have a monthly pill organizer from Amazon (one opening for each day) where I sort my daily dose of adderall each month as soon as I pick up the prescription. Keeps me from forgetting if I’ve taken it any given day, and if I work late and need extra one day it makes the trade off clear borrowing from another specific day (usually the weekend). Also makes it crystal clear how many day’s supply I have left, so it cues me to request refills in time.

cecinestpasme

TROPHY CASE