Maximisses at 2008-03-06

says:

Hi Sue.

I'm sorry to hear about your concerns with your health and your loneliness. My sister also has bi-polar and it's hard to watch her go through the extreme highs and lows.  She is also on medication and goes to see a psychiatrist regularly, however there are times when she doesn't take on her psychiatrists advice and usually ends up suffering a manic episode. 

I really think you should be congratulated on taking the vitamins as this would be helping your body.  

Have you thought about doing some yoga at home or going for a walk every morning?

It is really important to avoid stress as much as possible as I know this is what usually triggers my sister.

I also agree what moonshadow has posted. Keep up with the program, find a good therapist and keep posting here. We are all here to help and encourage each other without any judgements.

I have also suffered depression and panic attacks and what I found was really helpful to me was to keep a mood diary. With this diary I write down the time I wake up, go to sleep, the meals I eat or skip and exercise. I even have a section where I write down if I have had a social outing for the day such as chatting on the internet or perhaps visiting a friend. I record how I'm feeling during the day, by measuring from 1-10 and I do this twice a day. 

I have been doing this every day for a year now and it has helped me so much I really don't want to give it up. Now I know instantly why I am feeling low which reminds me to take it easy and be kind to myself at that time.  Usually on these bad days I will stay at home and read and try not to do anything to demanding.

In the mood diary you could record anything you wanted. You could even put your tools checklist in there to help you?

I hope you will continue on your journey here with us.

Regards,

Sonya.

Sending you a hug