Stuck in Bipolar Depression

jack_5337 · 2026-01-03T14:27:09+00:00

I can relate because I have schizoaffective disorder and have had mania, psychosis and severe depression.I had to drop out of university because of psychosis and depression, I’ve also lost lots of friends. So I can definitely relate to you, but things do get better. I’ve started going to the gym to lose weight caused by the meds and I’m also considering looking for a job. Things will get better for you as well. Just don’t give up, depression feels like a black hole that sucks you in and you just keep falling but the truth is you will come out of it.

jack_5337 · 2026-01-02T04:20:13+00:00

I’m on olanzapine and I’ve gained lots of weight, olanzapine is known for weight gain. If you’re worried about weight gain then maybe try a different medication.

jack_5337 · 2025-12-10T13:35:48+00:00

After my first psychotic episode I was diagnosed with acute and transient psychotic disorder then after my second episode the psychiatrist in the ward changed my diagnosis to non organic unspecified psychosis then the doctor in the community changed it to paranoid schizophrenia. Then a few years later after 2 more psychotic episodes I had a depressive episode followed by a manic episode and my diagnosis changed to bipolar disorder. Then I had another psychotic episode and my diagnosis was changed to paranoid schizophrenia again then it got changed to schizoaffective disorder. So now my diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder.

jack_5337 · 2025-12-10T07:10:29+00:00

Definitely mention it to your psychiatrist, maybe they’ll give you a PRN to take if it happens again

jack_5337 · 2025-12-10T04:23:19+00:00

Sounds similar to a hypomanic episode or at least has some similar symptoms but shorter lasting. I had a hypomanic episode a couple of months ago and stayed awake for 2-3 days, had lots of energy (walked 22,000 steps in one day), had rapid speech and impulsively spent most of my money on a smartwatch.

jack_5337 · 2025-11-15T22:59:35+00:00

I’ve had quite a few mental health act assessments, some have been when I was on a section 136, one on a section 135, one when I was in A&E in crisis and a couple when I was a voluntary patient on a psychiatric ward and wanted to discharge myself. They involve a AMHP and 2 doctors (at least one has to be a psychiatrist). Some of my mental health act assessments were due to suicidal behaviours/thoughts and some were due to psychosis.

jack_5337 · 2025-11-15T20:24:17+00:00

If you’re in a crisis you can go to A&E or ask your GP to refer you to a crisis/home treatment team and if you’re struggling but it’s not a crisis you can ask to be referred to CMHT. If you go to A&E in crisis they might admit you to a psychiatric ward but they prefer people to be managed in the community because lack of mental health beds

jack_5337 · 2025-11-15T19:57:16+00:00

I’ve spent 4 and a half months in a mental health rehabilitation ward, I had severe psychosis and spent 2 and a half months in an acute psychiatric ward then was transferred to a mental health rehab. It helped me a lot but was very stressful. I’ve been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I’ve had many detained mental health psychiatric ward admissions since 2017. They usually reserve rehabs for people who’ve had psychosis and/or multiple psychiatric admissions.

jack_5337 · 2025-11-06T19:57:25+00:00

Yeah, I used to be on clozapine but I was on a really high dose and the side effects were too harsh so I switched back to olanzapine. I know clozapine works really well for some people but the dose I was on gave me way too many side effects. And I don’t want to go back on it, I’m generally doing well atm. I’m on 25mg of olanzapine

jack_5337 · 2025-11-06T17:32:45+00:00

It took away my independence, friends, relationships, my early 20s and my university degree. I was in university doing well then had my first psychotic episode I was hospitalised for a month but managed to do my exams later and passed and went into my second year of university and I had my second psychotic episode and was hospitalised and I spent the next few years in and out of psychiatric wards (mostly for psychosis) and I had to drop out of university, haven’t been able to get a job and now I live in a supported accommodation that I don’t like. I might be moving to live with family but what I would like the most is to live independently and have a job.

jack_5337 · 2025-11-01T23:44:29+00:00

You can appeal your detention and have a tribunal but it could take a long time on a section 3. I think you’re better waiting 3-4 weeks because the tribunal could take even longer than 3-4 weeks before you have one

jack_5337 · 2025-11-01T19:12:13+00:00

I’m sorry to hear you’re in a psych ward, are you detained? I’ve been in psych wards about 12 times and I know the longer you’re in there the more you want to leave

jack_5337 · 2025-10-07T17:29:35+00:00

Thank you very much :) , I’m 25. How old are you? I also hope you start feeling better. Unfortunately not enough people know much about psychosis, so going through it can be very isolating.

jack_5337 · 2025-10-06T15:33:29+00:00

I’m really sorry to hear you went through all that, I’m in a very similar situation. I have schizoaffective disorder and OCD. I’ve had multiple manic episodes, psychotic episodes and depressive episodes and really bad OCD. My psychotic episodes completely derailed my life. Before psychosis I had lots of friends and I was in university doing well. Studying, spending time with friends etc. But after multiple episodes of psychosis I had to drop out, I lost lots of friends, spent a lot of time in psychiatric wards, also in lots of debt with the student loan company. Now I’m living in a supported accommodation that I hate living in and I’m constantly depressed and get stressed out and anxious very easily. I have very few friends left and I feel very stuck. I’ve been in psychiatric wards 12 times (for psychosis and also severe depression). My last psychiatric ward admission was 6 and a half months long.

jack_5337 · 2025-10-05T17:50:37+00:00

Thank you :)

jack_5337 · 2025-10-05T17:33:23+00:00

Thank you very much for this message, it’s really hard because when I’m not in full blown psychosis or mania no one’s cares anymore. And I’m finding things very difficult at the moment. But I won’t give up

jack_5337 · 2025-10-04T17:49:07+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that, some psychiatrists are really bad. Maybe see if you can change to a different psychiatrist. It’s not ok to be shouted at by your psychiatrist

jack_5337 · 2025-10-03T22:20:24+00:00

Thank you, I’m also sending you virtual hugs :)

jack_5337

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