Members of the DBSA Young Adult Council offer their perspectives on questions posed by young adults about living with a mood disorder.
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Honestly, this is probably one of the most difficult questions to answer. Having struggled with this situation myself, I know it isn’t easy, especially when other members of the household are not being treated.
I’d say my situation is unique in the fact that my mental health wasn’t taken seriously because it couldn’t be seen, but my sister (who has anorexia nervosa) was swept away to therapy, a nutritionist, and doctors. I remember feeling that my mental health needs were always second and it just further reminded me of my worthlessness and pushed me farther into despair. For a long time, I was convinced it wasn’t that bad and pushed my own health aside. It didn’t help that both my parents had been struggling most of their lives, too – undiscussed, undiagnosed, and (of course) untreated, and that rubbed off on us, not only genetically, but also environmentally.
Eventually, the cycles of ignoring my problem, acting out, and hiding from my parents became my normal and my symptoms got worse. It wasn’t until I moved out and was hospitalized years later that I would face my bipolar disorder head-on – and confront the demons that had been hiding in my closet since my youth.
Now as an adult, I can look back at the frightened, reckless girl I once was and realize that even as young as three I was different. Now I know that it wasn’t my fault and I do matter. But it took a long road to get here.
It’s still not perfect. I wish I could say my relationships with my family are better. Well, they are better, but only by baby steps. Years later I’m still trying to put together the pieces of my earlier years, but I have better tools to do so. I have to remember that my mental wellness comes first. I would like to be able to engage, but it just doesn’t happen sometimes and that’s okay. I no longer have a brick wall completely separating me from them; I open the gate every now and then, but I never leave it open. And that’s okay. Because that’s what I need to do for me.
Growing up in a family where mental health conditions are prevalent, but swept under the rug, I learned to do the same. But eventually, I got the help I needed to become the person I am today, the person I really was all along underneath my past and my mood disorder. I can’t change what happened to me, but I can forgive, freeing myself and do my best. At the end of the day, I know that I matter and above everything else, I need to take care of myself. It can get better. Surround yourself with positive supports, be strong, and believe in yourself. You deserve it.
Answered by Danyelle
Overwhelming feelings can be tough to manage, whether it’s anxiety, depression, and all the things that come with it. Something I keep in my tool belt is a grounding kit! I have some form of it no matter where I am.
But first, what is grounding? Grounding is a way of bringing yourself into the moment, by focusing on yourself and your surrounding area, not the thoughts racing through your mind.
When working on grounding yourself, you want to focus on your senses. My kit, which is easy to make and customize, has something for each sense.
Let’s start with sight. If you are creating a physical kit, try printing out some images that make you happy. Pictures of a place you love, your best friend, a sunset, your pet. Write down some inspirational quotes that bring you comfort. A mobile/web option is creating a collection on Instagram of pictures that make you happy or even a Pinterest board! Even as simple as changing your phone background to something positive can make you smile.
Let’s move to sound. This can be a little tricky but there are options. Pop a pair of earphones into your kit. That way you can pop in some tunes and focus on the music. Audiobooks are great choices too! Want something even more chill? Try a guided meditation. On your device, you can make a playlist full of songs that soothe and relax. Or if you prefer, find someone else’s. You can also find apps that play relaxing sounds, like rain, waves, or nature. If you are unable to listen to anything on a device, try humming or speaking to yourself. Remind yourself of your worth, your strength, your resilience. You can also focus on the sounds of your breath, the sound of the fan as it breathes new life into a room. There is sound all around us, and thankfully it’s very easy to create when need be.
Next up to the plate is taste. I personally like to keep something on me that will satisfy this sense. Easy to carry things include gum, hard candies, Breath mint strips, or small chocolates. Pick a flavor you enjoy and savor the item when you eat it. Focus on how it feels in your mouth, the different flavor notes; take it all in. If you don’t have anything on hand, I find even watching food videos online can help!
Smell is a fun one. If you’re out and about, take some deep breaths and focus on the smells around you. Perhaps you smell the coffee someone has next to you. Maybe it’s freshly cut grass, the scent wafting through the windows. If you want to have some control over your scent, there are ways to accomplish that. Try filling a sachet with coffee beans or lavender. Carry a candle wax melt and sniff when needed. If you’re home, have a candle or incense that makes you feel good.
Last but not least we have touch! In my kit, I have different things depending on what I’m looking for. I have a smooth rock – it’s actually a painted rock I found. But any rock will do. I have a soft piece of fabric I had leftover from a project and I will stroke that when I’m anxious. Don’t have anything handy? Run your hands on your legs or around the hem of your shirt. Feel yourself; remind yourself that you are in the moment. Try feeling the table in front of you, the chair you’re sitting on, the pen in your hand. You are connected to your surroundings.
Some other things you may want to add include phone numbers of trusted loved ones and a safety plan in case you remain overwhelmed. It’s always okay to reach out if you are unable to cope alone.
Grounding is an efficient way of dealing with intrusive thoughts. Different things work for different individuals, so it may take a while to find your perfect combination. Grounding is the perfect addition to any mental health warriors toolbox!
Answered by NaKeisha
First of all, I just wanted to say that I’ve been there, and I applaud you for not giving up. It takes tremendous strength to keep going in the face of tough mental health diagnoses, like severe depression. I just want to remind you, though, that just being alive, even if you aren’t achieving major life goals right now, is in itself, still moving forward. Every day you make it through is another day that you’ve accomplished getting through and managing your mental illness, and that’s no small feat. To reiterate one of the earlier Q&A’s, everyone has their own life path, so I wouldn’t worry too much about your peers. The great thing about being a young adult is that there is such a wide variety of acceptable paths to take, and many young adults are not married with families and are still in school (and don’t have a job) by choice, so you are definitely not alone in those circumstances, and you have many, many years ahead of you to have a family and build your career if that is something you want. In fact, ¼ (25%) of women giving birth in the United States are over 35 years old, so don’t get FOMO quite yet. Also, remember that many of your peers may also be struggling but may put up a show on social media that’s not necessarily reflective of their real life.
I think that focusing on your own health and not losing perspective is the most important thing right now. I definitely know how depression can play tricks on your perception, where you feel like you live in a never-ending hole of hopelessness and have no motivation, but that’s not true, and these feelings won’t be forever. I know it may be discouraging to have felt like this for years, but my advice is to just keep trying – try to find new (or old) hobbies that make you feel a tiny bit better, utilize your support system, set small goals that help you slowly move forward. For example, maybe try having friends and family help hold you accountable in your goal of trying to leave the house at least once a day. For me, on my worst days, it helped to talk to a friend on the phone as I left my house to take a short walk. Leaving my house was the hardest part, but it was easier to do when I had someone in my ear encouraging me, and then the sun made me feel better once I was out of my room. It may also be helpful to either try a different type of therapy or ask your doctor about trying different types of medication, but even if your depression itself doesn’t go away, with time, you can still learn how to manage it and work with it. Sometimes, you just have to force yourself to do things, even if it’s the last thing you want to do and having other people can really help in that aspect as well. You could try to invite a friend over and hang out while you do some household chores. I personally really like group fitness classes, because it’s nice to be around other people while you don’t necessarily have to be social yourself, and it works on my physical health at the same time.
As for feeling different than before, I still don’t think that I’m 100% back to the “old me,” but I try not to think of her as the “real me,” because sometimes trying to revert back to the “old me” feels like going backwards. Who I am now is the “real me,” struggles and all. You may never get back to who you were prior to having mental illness, but my hope for you, and my experience is, that you’ll find plenty of new things, and people, and activities that you’ll come to care about, and this new person you’re on your way to becoming will be a better version than who you once were, one that has grown and survived these difficult times.
We (DBSA YAC) are always here to answer your questions, but please note that we cannot respond to urgent matters. If you are feeling worse or are thinking about ending your life and need immediate assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Answered by Christine
Living with a mood disorder requires one to think proactively and act preemptively. Although mood changes are difficult to anticipate, it is important to have a plan of action or specific behaviors that can help mediate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is complicated and varies for each person. Finding the right treatment can be difficult and frustrating at times, but it is crucial to not lose hope. For me, it took some time to figure out which medications were able to stabilize my moods. Finding the right medication and dosage are very important, but there are also other things that one can do to relieve some of the negative effects of bipolar disorder.
Once I had my first manic episode, I went through a considerable amount of emotional turmoil. As I regained control of my mind-state and life, I had to take an honest look at my lifestyle habits and sacrifice things that were inhibiting my well-being. I found that when I wasn’t on effective medication, my moods would swing from something as little as a cup of coffee. I had never experienced such a depressing after effect of caffeine in my life before, but that experience taught me how little things can affect my mood throughout the day. I am now more aware of what I put into my body and the consequences of those things, both good and bad. I know that working out, meditating, and being active in general helps lift my mood, and also helps me to maintain a healthy balance internally.
I don’t have much experience with rapid cycling, however, I’ve talked to a few people that do. One person told me that each day was unpredictable with regard to how she would be feeling. She said that she would use the swings in mood to her advantage and make the most of an upswing in productivity. It might have taken her a few years to learn how to manage and control the symptoms, but she had certain people in place to let her know when she might be slipping a bit. For example, she has a person that monitors her spending habits to help her avoid any relapse into impulsive spending sprees. She is also very active in the community and lives to help others with mood disorders and promote awareness to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness. I have found it extremely valuable to get out and speak with other individuals who live with mental health complications. I have learned a lot from listening to other people share their stories. It is cathartic to both hear how others cope with their disorders and to share one’s own feelings and experiences with a group of people that truly understand what it is like to live with a mood disorder. It can be disconcerting when it feels like I might have to take medication and live with a mental disorder for my whole life, but I find it easier when I focus on the short term future. On a positive note, I believe there is hope for those who are still searching for successful treatment. Recent advances in brain research have enabled the medical community to find new ways to treat bipolar disorder. Modern technology and research has led to tremendous progress in our understanding of the chemicals involved in mood disorders. Who knows when the next breakthrough will be, but I am confident that there will be many. DBSA has a brochure that helped educate me about rapid cycling, and I think it is a great place to start. You can read more here.
Answered by: Marty
I’ve only been single, so I reached out a friend who has had a similar experience. When her significant other was manic, his anger would flare up at seemingly small things, or when he was depressed, everything was a burden and he hated life. First, when coping with someone who has these kinds of challenges, you have to remember to take care of yourself. It might seem selfish, but if you are really suffering, there is no way you can help someone at the same time. So, take time to fill your “happiness well”. Go out and do something that really makes you happy. Have some “me time” – yoga, long walks, movies, whatever it is. Your happiness is key if you are going to survive.
When her husband was depressed and did/said hurtful things, she always reminded herself that this not who he really was. When her partner would get out of his depression and get to a stable level, she would point out to him some of her concerns. She did not blame him, but showed him in a kind and loving way that those types of actions hurt her. Helping him to be empathetic was important. One of the best ways to do this was to show him recordings/notes he wrote in the past. When he was manic, he wrote some very rude emails to her, but then a few months later, when she showed those same emails to him, he was able to see why they were so hurtful. Be careful to be sensitive of their feelings about their episodes. As someone who has been through mania a few times, I experience a lot of stress and shame when talking about what’s transpired. But if there are things that were said and done that caused damage, it’s more important to address the issues in a cautious way. It is key to have these conversations when your S.O. is in a stable state so they can understand more fully how their actions impacted you. Each situation is so unique, but with some hope, endurance and (maybe a lot!) of counseling, things will get better. Make sure to seek outside help if it’s too much for you to bear, or there are signs of abuse. Also, make sure to nurture your relationship when he is well and focus on all the things you love about the relationship. Keep perspective, and keep on being strong!
Answered by: Megan
Emotions can be confusing, especially when they seem to come up for no apparent reason. While mood can certainly have its ups and downs, it may be worth exploring these periods of highs and lows that you’ve been experiencing with a mental health professional. I would especially reach out to those you trust when you are feeling suicidal, so your safety can be maintained. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to friends or family, there are also resources such as Crisis Text Line (text 741741) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). When these feelings can be too much, I would imagine just wanting the pain to go away, and ending your life seems like the only solution to that. Five years ago, that’s all I could think about when I believed I had no direction in life and that life was not worth living anymore. While it may not seem like it right now, these feelings will pass.
But it sounds like you have been through a lot with the bullying, and I recognize that you’re struggling with how you’re feeling about yourself. It’s hard to pinpoint what can be causing such emotions, but they are definitely worth looking into further. Bipolar disorder can involve racing thoughts and decreased need for sleep as part of mania (or hypomania) among other symptoms such as increased activity, pressured speech, irritability, and impulsivity. Talking to a mental health professional can help you better understand what you’re experiencing, as well as discuss some ways that you can cope. Know that you are not alone, and you do matter.
Answered by: Lauren
Although I can’t entirely relate to some of your experiences, I know that I have experienced a hyper-fixation on religion, intense spiritual flights of ideas, and ‘holier than thou’ thinking. I have been really upset with myself for thinking I’m a better Christian than others (a Super Christian, as I call it) in that state and have even judged others with a fierce and relentless outlash. When I look back, I know it’s not the real me, but in the midst of the storm, it’s hard to weather my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Even though I’m stable, I am still challenged by those thoughts from time to time.
It was scary for me to go back to church, too. At my previous house of worship, our pastor explicitly stated that he believed that mental health conditions were a mark of the devil and that if only your faith was stronger, you prayed more, were closer to God, etc. that the ‘issues’ would go away. The sting from that really affected me and I was scared to return. I started to feel the guilt and shame that his stigma on mental health conditions and that of others I knew was inflicted on me. I left that church, was detached from my faith, and stayed away from religion completely for a period of time.
Eventually, my mental health condition took a downswing and I didn’t know what else to do so I returned to church. I’m currently at a new church that has a very accepting, supporting philosophy and even has a specific life group for those affected by mental health conditions. It can be difficult to think about re-experiencing something so discomforting and negative, but I know for me, my faith always meant a lot to me and I really wanted to go back; I just had to find a place and people that I could talk to and that were not going to judge me for my mental health condition. I found a Christian counselor who has been an integral part of me returning to a faith community. We’ve also brainstormed strategies for when I have those thoughts, how to challenge myself by comparing those thoughts to my faith (I have some verses and statements that I compiled in a healthy mental health state to redirect myself), and have been able to redirect my anxiety about faith and church to prayer and reaching out to my support system. Sometimes I still think I am unworthy of God’s love, but I know that He loves me as I am and He is always with me and for me. The important thing for me was surround myself for people that I could openly express my challenges with and not feel ashamed or guilty. Although the path will be different for every individual, ‘returning to a healthy spiritual life’ is possible. Your god is with you every step of the way, even when you can’t feel it. You’re not alone-(s)he is with always with you. Don’t give up!
Answered by: Danyelle
It is difficult, to say the least, to be around someone who is experiencing depression or bipolar. The first thing you can do is to be present and willing to listen to their cries of hurt and confusion. They may not always acknowledge it, but having someone who listens to them nonjudgmentally is like a breath of fresh air. A second thing you can do is to remind them regularly of happy memories they’ve had, particularly ones where they felt loved and significant to others. You can also find stories of others, particularly more famous people, who have had to live with mood disorders and have still found success in managing them, and share those stories. A third thing one can do to support someone is to keep them accountable to taking medication and going to therapy. There will be times a friend or loved one will spontaneously decide they no longer need medication or counseling. You should always encourage them to stay on their treatment plan until they have discussed a change with their doctor or therapist.
Answered by: Keith
It’s hard to not feel left out when you see your peers graduation and advancing in careers while you feel like your trying to just keep your emotions together. It has personally been hard for me to not become jealous and bitter towards my peers because of their achievements. What I lost sight of were my own accomplishments. I am active in my community and workplace, I am a mother and I am active in my childs life. What I had to learn was everyone’s life is different and we all have our own struggles. You don’t have to be in the same place in life as everyone else as long as you are moving forward and living life it’s ok to go at your own pace. I used to stress myself out trying to compete and feel equal to my peers and after talking to a few I realized they looked up to me being a single working mother who was so committed to my community and helping other. Never again will i put myself down for being me and not being someone else.
Answered by Emily
Many, if not all, individuals with mood disorders can relate to how you feel. All those things you mentioned are something we call ‘stigma.’ Stigma is the myths and stereotypes that surround individuals living with these conditions, which can lead to exclusion and discrimination, as well as hurtful words. No wonder 6 out of 10 people don’t get help! It’s hard enough dealing with the symptoms, but when others don’t understand, it’s even harder to see our self-worth. But we are stronger than stigma.
I know because I’ve been there. I struggled in silence for a long time because I didn’t want anything to be ‘wrong’ with me, even though I knew something just wasn’t ‘right.’ (By the way, nothing is wrong with you—you’re a person that just happens to be struggling right now!) My parents didn’t understand, even though my behaviors were cries for help and I felt like such a burden. No one understood and I was miserable. I was scared and alone. But at a certain point, I decided I couldn’t live like that any longer and needed to get help.
Unfortunately, I didn’t start my journey into wellness until I was 21. I had tried, but I still wrestled with those feelings of fear and stigma. You deserve to be happy. You are worth it. I know reaching out is scary, especially when others aren’t supportive, but you are not alone. DBSA has a great young adult online support group. There are also ‘crisis lines’ that you can just talk to some, whether or not you’re in crisis, but you just don’t know what to do. You’re definitely not weak-those of us with these disorders are incredibly strong with what we experience. There is hope, but you might want to ask for help. You’re not alone and you don’t have to do this alone. It can get better. Check out the Young Adult I’m Living Proof series for stories of hope. It’s okay to not be okay-and it’s okay to get help. You deserve it.
Answered by: Danyelle
Personally for me, and luckily for me; being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II was a blessing in disguise. For me it meant that now I could and would be properly treated and had hope now for being able to control my illness to a certain extent. I know for some people it can be a scary time, but I think that most people who are diagnosed with a mental illness might be more afraid of what lies ahead; the possible stigma from loved ones, trying and changing medications, new types of therapy treatment, and the possibility of rejection from peers.
While those things might happen, it’s better to remember you must care for yourself first. You are important, and worth everything the world has to offer you. In light of a recent diagnosis, take a break to “relearn” yourself, get to know your moods and triggers better so that one day you too can find your path alongside, and not behind your mental illness.
Answered by: Chelsea
First of all, it’s important to acknowledge how common a quarter-life crisis is. It’s pretty normal for twenty-somethings to experience feelings of being lost, confused, empty, overwhelmed, worried or scared. Young people experience a variety of sources of stress such as relationships, employment (or lack of), and health. It’s certainly a life stage that is full of change and sometimes it is tough to keep up, or find the motivation to keep up!
In my experience, the most important thing is to take life one day at a time and take care of yourself. The twenties are a great time of self-discovery and realization that you do get to choose your path in life. If this freedom is new, it’s often overwhelming. So talk about it! Reach out to friends, family, instructors, a mental health professional, your colleagues, or a mentor. Consider a more positive outlook, such as your dead-end job helping identify what you don’t want to do for the rest of your life. Slow down! Take a semester off to work or travel. Care for your physical and mental health. Educate yourself, whether it be on your diagnosis, your career interest, a new language, or your dog’s breed. Identify sources of major stress and focus your energy on making a change there. Explore! Seek our career counseling and guidance. Volunteer in different fields or taking personality surveys to help find your calling. Practice acceptance! You might not be able to juggle work, school, appointments, meetings, dating, owning a pet, yoga, volunteering, parenting/caregiving, and social media. Set smaller goals. Things will smooth out; it just takes time. The good news is, if it’s a quarter-life crisis, you still have 75% of your life to look forward to.
Answered by: Jessica
Your initial diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder can drastically change your life. Coming to terms with your new medical condition takes some time. It’s important to remove the stigmatized label immediately. Change your mindset from “I’m bipolar” to “ I have bipolar disorder”. Make sure those around you who know your diagnosis know that differentiation too. It’s also important to find positive role models who share your same condition. Whether a person in your life or a celebrity, looking to those who are living with a mood disorder and have happy, healthy and fulfilled lives can bring that little piece of hope.
Since being diagnosed with Bipolar when I was 16, I’ve fallen into the trap of “I have bipolar disorder which means I’m limited to what I can do, no one wants an unstable friend or girlfriend and I can’t continue to do the things I love.” All those thoughts separated me from those around me without a mood disorder and whom I considered “normal”. In the years that have passed, I’ve drastically changed that inner dialogue. We are not limited by what we can do per se, but we do have to go the extra mile to stay healthy. You may not be able to go out all night and miss a night of sleep, but you can do what’s important to stay healthy and be able to keep doing fun things, episode free. My closest friends, old and new, have always stuck by my side. Your true friends love and care about you, mood disorder and all. You’re better off without “fair-weather” friends anyways. You can continue to do the things you love. Go to college, pursue your dream career, and build relationships.
Maintaining your well-being can be a full-time job. From figuring out medications and diet and exercise to appointments and meditation, mood disorders take some work to keep under control. In all reality, most of these things are part of being a responsible adult anyways! We’re lucky to realize the importance of making time to sleep and how to take care of ourselves early on in adulthood. Everyone struggles with the transition to becoming a responsible adult, and with a mood disorder, you can actually have a jump-start. With your friends learning from your example of a healthy lifestyle, being different can be a great thing.
Answered by: Megan
The decision to have a baby is a very personal one that must be discussed as a couple, and it becomes a little more complicated when one of the partners is living with a mental health condition. While everyone’s experience is unique and each situation must be considered on an individual basis, and I cannot speak for all people who have Bipolar Disorder, I can share my personal experience of deciding whether or not to have a baby while living with Bipolar Disorder and how my illness has shaped the choices that my husband and I have made for the future of our family.
We always knew that we wanted to have children and we also knew that my Bipolar Disorder would make our experience more complicated. In an effort to maintain the stability that I have achieved over the past six years, we know that when we do decide to get pregnant it will have to be very planned and highly monitored by several doctors. Not only will we have to go to a pre-pregnancy consultation with a high-risk doctor, but we will also be meeting with several psychiatrists who specialize in taking medication while pregnant to determine whether or not I should take medication throughout my pregnancy. My husband and I will then have to weigh the pros and cons of taking medication while pregnant, which is a difficult and personal decision to make and one that requires careful consideration.
The pregnancy itself will also prove to be challenging, but this is something that all women experience (regardless if they have a mental health condition or not) because the female body changes in so many different physical and emotional ways through the surge of hormones and the development of the fetus. One challenge that will be particularly difficult for me with my Bipolar Disorder will be after the birth of our baby when I am faced with all of the postpartum hormones and the lack of sleep and routine. However, I have already discussed this with my doctor and he explained that I will be highly monitored during this postpartum period to make sure that I am doing everything that I can to take care of my health during this time. As my husband and I prepare for having a baby in the [somewhat] near future, one thing is definitely clear to me—it will be a true team effort—I will be closely supported not only be my amazing husband and family, but by my team of doctors who will play a very important role before, during and after my pregnancy in keeping me happy, healthy and stable so that I can be the best mom, wife and overall individual that I can be.
Answered by Jenna
We all have goals we have set for ourselves. Some of these are extravagant high bar we want to be President of the United States someday kind of goals. Other are basic life time milestones we feel we are expected to meet by society. Graduating high school, getting accepted to college, graduating in four years, getting hired in our career field, getting married having a family. All of these goals seem so simple that is just how life goes. When you have a mental illness achieving those goals isn’t always easy. My teachers in high school told me I could be doing better and I wasn’t applying myself enough. The stress of life and college made it hard to keep a “full course load” and pass all of my classes. Life doesn’t always go the way its “supposed to” I had my first child and soon after became a single mother. I still kept my life goals of graduating college and getting into my career field in sight but that being increasingly difficult. What I have learned is I can not have static goals we need to learn to be flexible. I can not measure our worth by check marks on a list. Just recently after a bout of depression and two failed classes decided to withdraw from the college I was attending online. This was a huge embarrassment for myself and brought on a lot of emotions including shame. I have other failed expectations about finances and even my home environment. I have to maintain a positive outlook when setbacks happen. I try to get a new “game plan” together and reevaluate my goals and how I can achieve them. Maybe the style of learning wasn’t right for me and I need to find a new type of program. Maybe I didn’t mean to over spend but I can look a new way to track my spending maybe even find an accountability buddy. I have learned to not take me personal setbacks as failures but opportunities to try something new. Maybe right now college classes aren’t what I can attend local workshops and I can share with others what I have learned.
Answered by Emily
I hear you—mood swings are not easy to deal with. As an individual who experiences depression and anxiety, who comes from a family with a history of depression, and who has witnessed an unfortunate separation between my parents, I can’t blame you. We all deserve answers, and we all deserve closure.
If you want a specific explanation for how you are feeling, then you would need to touch base with your doctor or a mental health practitioner. This can include a psychologist, a therapist, or a psychiatrist, depending what your doctor may recommend. In fact, the only person who can make a diagnosis or suggest treatment is a healthcare professional. In the case of only reaching out to people you trust, however, you could always start by discussing your next steps with a trustworthy school social worker or counselor.
While it can be frustrating to not have specific answers for why, how, and when we feel the way we do, it can be helpful to seek support that directly addresses the feelings and behaviors themselves. Since you prefer to not reach out to specific people—something that we as peers completely understand—it could be beneficial to seek support from other nonjudgmental sources. You could speak to a teacher you respect, a distant relative, and like I mentioned before, a therapist. Simply being heard and given the chance to vent your feelings can be incredibly powerful when you have a lot on your plate. In fact, I have found that seeking support from my peers can be both enlightening and healing. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Divorce is difficult, and for a lot of us, its effects can be lifelong. But that doesn’t mean that you will feel like this forever. For me, the effects of my parents’ separation have taught me a lot: it’s made me more mindful of what does and doesn’t make for a healthy relationship. It has also taught me to be more respectful towards other people in my life. You are very brave for reaching out since that alone can be very difficult to do. As you take the next steps in addressing what you are currently going through, I encourage you to keep reaching out for support. Like I said before: you don’t have to go through this alone.
Answered by: Jared
The young adult years are hard enough, let alone when you’re affected by a mood disorder. As someone affected by both a mood and personality disorder, I always have so much anxiety around relationships, both platonic and romantic. Some of that comes from stigma, both in ourselves and from others. Other parts come from my mental health. Since my behaviors can be unpredictable and I often push people away, I’m frequently afraid that it’s just not worth it for other people to put forth the effort to be in my life. What it comes down to, though, is that I also feel inadequate.
Therapy has helped me to decipher which of my thoughts and feelings are true and which ones are symptoms of my mental health conditions; the medications I take also help me be able to do this. I have to remember that I am not my mood disorder. I am a person first, that just happens to be affected by a mental health condition. I have hopes and dreams, hobbies and interests, talents and strengths. And, most importantly-and what took me the longest to understand-is that I am worthy of being loved.
No one is perfect, but the right person will accept you for who you are. I know that statement sounds like a fairy tale right now, but there are so many people with mental health conditions that have meaningful relationships, myself included. Don’t let the media and others fool you. In my experience, when I learned to love myself, it was easier for others to love me. There’s always hope. You’re not alone in your struggle. Love is louder than mental illness.
Answered by: Danyelle
It’s easy to allow something as serious as bipolar disorder or depression take over many facets of your life—but that does not mean that it’s all you are. During the aftermath of a manic episode or as you’re climbing out of a debilitating depressive episode, you can find yourself wondering how you can still grasp onto some sort of control of your body. I like to think of a roller coaster; it can go up and down without notice but it regains equilibrium without fail. Sure, you can’t control necessarily when that will be but there are definitely things you can do to help yourself.
First, of course, is to talk to your doctor or establish a relationship with a good one if you have not done this yet. They will be extremely helpful in working with you to find a good treatment plan to manage your symptoms. This could look like a mix of medication, therapy or one of the many other options out there.
Another strategy that I’ve found really helpful is yoga or any other type of mindfulness practice. When I am overwhelmed with chaos or feel as though I have no say in what my body does next, I recognize that I need to take time to be with myself and go for a run, do some meditation or even just sit down and put on some music. These techniques work well for me to remind myself that I am still here and that I still have a choice in who I am—my mental health condition does NOT define me. I challenge you to come up with other techniques that allow you to briefly remind yourself that your condition does not define who you are.
Answered by: Taylor
As a person with bipolar disorder who has experienced a hospitalization, I know how scary and stressful the experience can be. You are not only dealing with trying to “get better” but of performing a balancing act with people in your life like friends, family, school, and jobs. After trial and error, I have come to realize your foremost priority after experiencing an episode leading to hospitalization is to take care of yourself. The first few weeks after a hospitalization are a fragile time where it is imperative to have a daily schedule where you eat and sleep regularly and pay extra close attention to following medication schedules and other self-care activities.
In terms of interacting with friends, family, and other people in your life about the hospitalization, honesty and authenticity is important. Depending on how close you are to someone your explanation could range from that you needed a break for health-related reasons to explaining in detail what led to the hospitalization. It is best in job-related situations to explain you have a chronic health condition which required you to take a break. I do not know your personal situation, but if you have lost your job due to your time of illness, you could also explain the same to future employers when they ask why you left your job. Regarding school, most professors and deans are understanding if you explain about having a chronic health condition which caused you missed assignments and tests. From my experience, most professors want you to excel in their class and you will likely be asked to do extra assignments to “make up” for missed tests and assignments. You may need documentation of your condition from your doctor, if this is the case, it is important to provide the documentation. To the friends and family who you alienated it may be helpful to invite them to dinner or coffee to calmly explain your diagnosis, what happens when you do not feel well, and what you plan on doing in the future. From my experience, a heartfelt explanation is helpful. However, if their response is not favorable you may need to give them a little “space” and try your best to take care of yourself. By taking care of yourself you are demonstrating your commitment to your recovery.
Hospitalization can be a very embarrassing and stressful situation. You may feel like a failure or that you took a step back, but that is far from the truth. It may just be a slight detour but you are still able to reach your dreams and goals. Some of the best and brightest minds the world has known have been hospitalized such as Patrick Kennedy, Kay Redfield Jamison, Passion Pit’s singer Michael Angelakos, and Fall Out Boy’s Bassist Pete Wentz.
Answered by: Holly
Finding and then developing a sense of trust with a mental health professional to confide in with very personal information can be a difficult thing to do. However, one thing to remember is that they are, in fact, professionals. It is their job to listen, to respond, to observe, to ask questions, to try to understand and to work with you on your personal issues. Therapists keep your conversations confidential, and what they care about is your safety and wellbeing. If you think there is some kind of issue or you are not making progress, a good place to start is to discuss it with the therapist. He or she may not know how you feel or what exactly you want to work on in therapy, and divulging that information to them could improve the quality of your sessions as well and could improve your trust and relationship. Ultimately, if you find after giving your therapist an honest chance that there is continuous disconnect and lack of personal growth, you may want to seek a different therapist that might be able to better help with your specific needs.
Answered by: Adam
I have multiple mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and PTSD as well. These conditions can definitely make relationships challenging, whether it’s with a significant other or other friends and family. It’s hard enough to manage your symptoms (and their effects), let alone navigate social interactions. But it is possible.
My mental health conditions negatively affected my relationships for a long time. It wasn’t until after I sought treatment and worked on wellness that I was able to accept the conditions themselves, who I was, and then tackle the relationships in my life. Medication stabilized me so that I could manage my symptoms and talk and behavioral therapy helped me walk through negative thoughts, feelings, and experiences to enable me to have successful, genuine relationships. Boundaries and self-care are two of the largest aspects of my wellness. I can’t say it’s been easy, but I’ve found what works for me. It’s incredibly important to my wellness that I keep taking care of myself so that I can continue being a good co-worker, friend, family member, and future spouse.
I remember how scared I was to talk to my fiance about my mental health conditions. I hid it for a long time and it was starting to affect our relationship; at a certain point, I had to tell him so that he could be able to support me and help me find the right treatment. Even though I’m relatively stable, there are times that I still struggle and need some extra help. But I had to be transparent and honest with my partner if he was going to be able to support me. And he needed to know all of me, even the dark parts that I don’t let most people see, especially if we’re going to be married. Communication is key to any successful marriage and talking about mental health is no different. To me, it’s for both of our benefit; even if he/she doesn’t have a mental health condition, it’s important to talk about mental health and wellness to be able to support each other through the ups and downs of life (and a mood disorder!).
My fiance still loves me with my conditions. Keeping open communication about my symptoms and struggling has been really important to the success of our relationship and I know it will be after we get married as well. To be unconditionally loved and supported is everything and I’m lucky to have found someone that loves me for me: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Be yourself and remember, the ones that matter love you no matter what.
DBSA has many resources that can support you through this. Check out the YAC’s podcasts on self-disclosure and helping friends understand. We also have a lot of information for others to help those of us with mood disorders.
Answered by: Danyelle
Yes, you should discuss your diagnosis with them… eventually. Probably not necessary on date #1 or #2, but sooner than later would be best. I’d say by date #3 or at least #4 you should disclose your mood disorder to them, and then give them some time to think about what it means to them. Don’t pressure them to “stay or go” right off the bat, and also don’t pressure them to speak about it right away if they aren’t sure how they feel quite yet about it. Give them time, and try to be patient with them, just as you did for yourself to think about how it might affect their life with you. You do not need to openly discuss which meds you take, how often, who your doctors are, and other very personal details either—I’d say—unless you’re marrying them and that information then can be extremely helpful in the relationship. I’ve just personally found that disclosing my mood disorder with a sig other can be helpful, not only short-term but long-term especially. Some people are willing to be understandable if you’re having a rough day, so try to stay positive and honest with the person you’re dating.
From my personal experience with this, a lot of significant others will understand be thankful for your honesty; but also some may not be able to grasp the fact that they’re with someone who had a mood disorder and could possibly look for an “out”. If they choose to not accept it, then I have learned to deal with that, and frankly I’ve reminded myself that in the long haul, I’m probably better off without them then in my life anyway.
Answered by Chelsea
When you are depressed, it’s like you don’t care about anything. You can’t seem to find the energy to do simple tasks, and you may feel hopeless about the way your life is going. Motivation is a rare source of empowerment that depressed individuals struggle to have enough of. One thing that helps me is to simplifying the demands of my day. Rather than try to accomplish a large agenda, you can fix your goals to 1-2 things you can accomplish. If I finish those 1-2 tasks, I can feel satisfied and content. For example, if I’m a student experiencing depression living on my own, I may decide if I just finish one homework assignment and do the laundry, I can choose to accept that day as a success. Little tasks completed can build momentum for you to get things done, slowly but surely. Another way to motivate yourself to get up and get going is to focus both on one thing you like about yourself and one thing you look forward to each day. Reflect on that in the morning and throughout your day. An intentional mind-set on a positive trait about yourself and a positive expectation can keep your depressed thoughts at bay and enable you to set out with enough vigor.
Answered by: Keith
Medication can be tricky. Everybody is different and so it takes time finding you perfect med combination and correct dosage. I find it to be very helpful to communicate with your doctor – ask them questions about side effects, how long before you should feel the desired effect from the medication – any question you can think of. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I also kept a log of side effects and my symptoms when I was new to medication – this helped me keep track of things in between doctors appointments. This also helped my doctor better help me. You can track this in a journal or in the notes section of your phone.
Patience is one of the most important things you can have when trying to find meds that work for you. It can be frustrating, especially when you get to the zombie-stage, but eventually you will find something that works for you. There are many different medications that can be done in many combinations at different dosages so do not despair – you and your prescriber will get there. It’s a process.
Lastly, don’t forget to advocate for yourself. Medication doesn’t work instaneously but if you’ve given your medication a sufficient amount of time and you don’t think it’s a good fit, tell your doctor. Some medications don’t work for certain people and that’s okay.
Answered by: Nak
The best piece of advice that I could offer a young adult who has recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder would be to try to find a psychiatrist that you truly connect with—a doctor who truly listens to you, and one who you feel that you can be entirely open and honest with. While there are many important relationships in my life, as a YA living with Bipolar Disorder, one of the most important relationships that I have is with my psychiatrist. He is a wonderful doctor who I met in the hospital when I was first diagnosed at 17 years old, and I truly believe that one of the reasons that I am as stable and healthy as I am today is because we have established a deep trust and respect for one another over the course of our 14 year relationship. He has a file for me that is super thick (it could probably fill a 2 inch binder!), but in that file are notes recording some of the highest highs and lowest lows of my life. Having a doctor that you can speak honestly and openly about how you are feeling, and what side effects you may be experiencing from medication, is really important. I firmly believe that you should not just settle for any doctor, but rather, that you should find a psychiatrist who you truly connect with because you must feel comfortable with a person to really open up about what is on your mind.
Answered by Jenna
There are about a million different reasons why someone would be on the fence about taking medication for a mood disorder, all of them completely valid. Coming to terms with a diagnosis is difficult, especially in a world where it seems as though most of the people talking about mental health are doing it with the volume on the lowest audible setting. Depending on what your ambitions are, it may even seem more beneficial to stay silent about or deny outright a mental-health issue—if you’re a an aspiring lawyer with the bar exam waiting down the road, for example (source), or someone with hopes of entering a field where 60-plus-hour workweeks are an expectation.
My first psychotic episode happened right after my first semester of freshman year. Being told as a kid that I could do anything I wanted, and then feeling my body push back on that was difficult and confusing for me, doubly so because I could see my peers starting on their own high-achieving paths. It looked to me like they were sprinting through the long-distance race we were all in with ease, and so I did the best I could to keep up—and did, sort of, though I could feel an injury coming on by my senior year. A couple years after graduation, the pain I felt but tried to mask as I tried to keep up became too much, and another, more serious episode sidelined me entirely.
It took a while before I realized that my primary issue was that I insisted on ignoring what my body needed in favor of trying what seemed to work for others. Naturally, it felt like a sign of failure to be on mood stabilizers because I was the only person I knew at the time who needed them. In reality, meds were the opposite of failure—they were the catalyst for what I can now say is a more balanced life, as I needed to first be okay with the idea that my needs are unique to me in order to build the muscle that would help carry me through to the next goal. The stigma is absolutely real, but I’d rather take the social hit and live than even consider the alternative.
Getting to know yourself will help you make sense of your mood disorder in your day-to-day life and has the added benefit of helping you articulate your needs to your primary care provider. The process by which one gains self-awareness looks different from person to person (of course); for me, it involves mindfulness meditation, journaling and exercise.
The side-effect question is a more tangible and immediate one, and unfortunately also less under your control. Our understanding of the brain and the causes of mental illness is still limited, and the way some psychiatric drugs affect the brain is still a bit uncertain—not a reassuring idea when you’re already on the fence about medication for more nebulous (but no less valid!) reasons.
The long-term good news is that projects like the NIH-funded BRAIN initiative are helping us on our way to understanding the brain (and thus maybe also psychiatric meds?) better. The more immediate good news is that you DO have some of this under your control. As one party in the patient-doctor relationship, it’s your responsibility to do your own research and ask questions whenever you feel uncertain about a decision your doctor wants to make. I didn’t know this when I was first starting out with a psychiatrist and it made those first few months out of the psych ward especially rocky, but learning and putting it into practice made my relationships with all of my doctors much better. Not only are you paying for a service and should feel satisfied with the quality of the care you’re receiving, but it makes it easier to get what you want if you show your doctor that you’re interested in a collaboration and willing to put in the work on your end (namely, by asking questions). The doctor’s wisdom only goes so far, and not every drug works the same for everyone. As the person undergoing treatment, if something isn’t working for you, you should feel comfortable speaking up about it. You’re neither the first nor the last person to feel weird about starting meds for the reasons you’ve outlined in your question, and if nothing else, you can trust that your doctor has heard those and countless other questions.
My experience has been that doctors are very careful with the more-serious side effects, and you can generally expect lab work to accompany certain prescriptions. The bottom line is that medication, though not always necessary, is sometimes the only thing that works for a mood disorder; sometimes symptom relief greatly outweighs the slim chance of a negative side effect. I’ve talked to a few friends whose journey through depression featured similar concerns—they thought they should have been smart enough to figure out how to fix themselves on their own, and they didn’t want any of the negative side effects. Eventually, though, the stress of trying to manage their emotions without any kind of help, social or pharmaceutical, overwhelmed them to the point where they were desperate for anything to ease the pain. The issue ended up not being a “I’m not smart enough to fix this myself” thing but one rooted in recognizing one’s unique needs. Says one of these friends about starting back on her prescription after a particularly low point, “After 3 or 4 months, I was on my way to work (a peak self-harm fantasy time, when my mind was fairly idle and I was facing a miserable day), when it dawned on me that I actually WASN’T thinking about hurting myself. I was just actually, truly thinking about nothing like a normal person….My mood was still awful and my internal monologue was still very negative. However, the fact that I didn’t have to constantly resist thoughts of self harm was a big relief.”
As part of your primary care team, your provider should act with your best interests in mind. If you’re asking questions and sharing your concerns and it feels like your doctor isn’t listening to you, you’re not obligated to stay! Finding a provider you trust is like entering into any other relationship with another person; sometimes it takes a long time to find someone who fits, but it’s best for your long-term health that you and your doctor feel comfortable working with each other. You have a great deal more control than you think in this situation, and if you’re working with people who have your best interests in mind, you should feel free to use their expertise to understand what’s going on with you.
Answered by Lucia
One thing to do to start is to communicate. Discuss what is going on in your life with your teachers, professors and/or supervisors. You do not necessarily have to tell them everything about your condition or personal issues, but it is helpful to provide them with enough information for them to get a basic understanding of what is going on that is affecting your performance. That way, your honesty is something that they can hopefully appreciate and possibly work with you on making a plan together. Concurrently, you should work on a plan with your doctor and/or other mental health professionals to discuss and resolve your medication issues.
Answered by: Adam
Although I can’t entirely relate to some of your experiences, I know that I have experienced a hyper-fixation on religion, intense spiritual flights of ideas, and ‘holier than thou’ thinking. I have been really upset with myself for thinking I’m a better Christian than others (a Super Christian, as I call it) in that state and have even judged others with a fierce and relentless outlash. When I look back, I know it’s not the real me, but in the midst of the storm, it’s hard to weather my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Even though I’m stable, I am still challenged by those thoughts from time to time.
It was scary for me to go back to church, too. At my previous house of worship, our pastor explicitly stated that he believed that mental health conditions were a mark of the devil and that if only your faith was stronger, you prayed more, were closer to God, etc. that the ‘issues’ would go away. The sting from that really affected me and I was scared to return. I started to feel the guilt and shame that his stigma on mental health conditions and that of others I knew was inflicted on me. I left that church, was detached from my faith, and stayed away from religion completely for a period of time.
Eventually, my mental health condition took a downswing and I didn’t know what else to do so I returned to church. I’m currently at a new church that has a very accepting, supporting philosophy and even has a specific life group for those affected by mental health conditions. It can be difficult to think about re-experiencing something so discomforting and negative, but I know for me, my faith always meant a lot to me and I really wanted to go back; I just had to find a place and people that I could talk to and that were not going to judge me for my mental health condition. I found a Christian counselor who has been an integral part of me returning to a faith community. We’ve also brainstormed strategies for when I have those thoughts, how to challenge myself by comparing those thoughts to my faith (I have some verses and statements that I compiled in a healthy mental health state to redirect myself), and have been able to redirect my anxiety about faith and church to prayer and reaching out to my support system. Sometimes I still think I am unworthy of God’s love, but I know that He loves me as I am and He is always with me and for me. The important thing for me was surround myself for people that I could openly express my challenges with and not feel ashamed or guilty. Although the path will be different for every individual, ‘returning to a healthy spiritual life’ is possible. Your god is with you every step of the way, even when you can’t feel it. You’re not alone-(s)he is with always with you. Don’t give up!
Answered by: Danyelle
Divulging your personal life is something friends do with each other all the time. You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to tell your friends about a mental health condition or even just hey I’m really struggling do you think I should get help? We don’t want to change what our friends think of us, lose any social status and have it dismissed as no big deal when to us it is. What we can do is open up an amazing dialog and bring us closer. We often share social experience with our friends and keep our personal lives to ourselves. When we do this there is another side of us that may help others understand who are and why we do the things we do. The class clown maybe be putting on a front hiding depression, the risk taker or our “crazy” friend may be struggling with mood shifts of bipolar.
When I first told my friends I used our social life as examples and then let them in on the personal side I had been keeping to myself. All of a sudden that blow out fight or turned down invitation has more meaning to it. What’s great about telling your friends is they often see behaviors we don’t. When we open up and explain our feeling and thoughts to them we enable them to reach out to us when they see us having a bad day or starting to withdraw. When I first opened up about my battle with depression I found that I was far from the only one “on meds”. A few years later and after a bipolar diagnosis, I’m far from offended when a friend asks me if I am having bad day and feeling manic. Those first few conversations are hard but well worth it.
Answered by: Emily
This is something that I struggle with a lot myself because even though the best strategies are very easy to understand in theory, they’re just as difficult to actually implement in practice. The stigma surrounding mental illness can make it feel difficult to feel certain about when, where and to whom you want to disclose your disorder, and depending on where your mood is, sharing may even feel like too much for even those closest to you to handle. Once an episode has subsided, making your through the aftermath may carry with it a not-small amount of shame—especially if pieces of the episode unfold in public. Finally, there still really isn’t a lot of common knowledge about what it actually means to live with mental illness; I feel like more people know the colloquial meaning of bipolar disorder as it relates to a temperamental piece of office equipment than they do the difference between bipolar I and II.
For me, the barrier to 100% success in this department has some to do with the character of my episodes and some to do with the fact that it’s work to live my life in a way that maximizes my well-being. I’ve seen my episodes dissipate over the years as I’ve learned how to manage them, but in the beginning, the line between staying afloat and sinking under the weight of a low mood was a very fine one. Once all the way under, psychosis would pull me even further down, and what had started off as mild anxiety would snowball into something life-threatening.
Because during these episodes I refused to let anyone know what was going on, it became necessary to act pre-emptively in the space between them. With the help of a loved one, I wrote up a list of behaviors that were psychosis indicators and sent it to a small group of people I trusted to get me the appropriate help if they noticed anything concerning. The system worked—the group helped stop my last major episode in its tracks, I was able to start building a support network in earnest, and I haven’t had another one in two years.
If you have people in your life who care about you and aren’t health-care professionals, it’s certain that they want to help you manage your moods however they can, but may not feel like they know how to do so. Making a list of behaviors to watch out for is a good way to get people involved who know you and can advocate for your health. It also may help you, too, identify thought patterns that carry a higher risk of metastasizing if left unchecked. You can also give a loved one formal permission to speak with your psychiatrist if they notice anything off. Taking a preventive approach may seem difficult up front, but ends up making your life easier in the long run.
Whether in a preventive or diagnostic context, maintaining good communication with the people you want in your corner is crucial—”people,” not “person,” because as tempting as it is to have one confidant for all of your emotions, it’s really not fair to hand off everything to just one person. A friend of mine, recalling her early experience with depression in college, said that relying on only her boyfriend proved to be “way too much…you can’t just call someone sobbing for two hours and expect that that’s okay.” It’s completely understandable to rely on people you know you can trust, but handing off all your feelings to one person carries the risk of straining them to the point where they may decide they can no longer handle it and leave, which then affects you.
Being able to be okay with people who can’t handle your stuff is also part of the mental-health game. There will always be people who don’t understand what’s going on during an episode, either because of the silence around mental illness or for some other reason entirely, and some people may just have their own stuff to deal with and can’t make room for yours. None of that is a reflection on you or a barometer of your worth as a human being, nor is the other party a villain for not being able to be present. As young adults immersed in the business of being young adults, it can also be hard to remember that we’re all in transition in some way, and so people may also just be entering and exiting your life because that’s just the nature of things.
It can be hard to talk even to people you love about your feelings, but it’s probably the best thing that you can do for your long-term health. Speaking with another friend, she made the very astute point that people who spend a lot of time with you already and care about you can generally notice when something is off; if, after a period of isolation, you come back to them and explain (in whatever detail you feel is appropriate for the relationship) what had been going on, they will generally understand. I still have a lot of trouble with this—this is the work that I referred to earlier—and what keeps me from getting down on myself about not being as open as I’d like with certain people is knowing that it’s a process, that I might get down on myself but it’s best for my long-term health if I get back up and try again.
If it feels hard for you to talk about the day-to-day of your mental health with those close to you, it may be a good idea to explore the possibility of joining a support group in addition to whatever other mental-health services you include in your care team. It may feel easier to open up to people with whom there is less pressure to explain the basics of your mood disorder; it definitely feels validating and helps combat the loneliness and shame that may accompany your disorder to hear people share stories that sound similar to yours. Access to a group may also free you up to talk with your close friends and family about things unrelated to your brain; valuable as it is to feel like you can share with loved ones, it’s also valuable to maintain spaces where you can feel like you don’t have to process your feelings all the time.
Often the things that benefit us the most in the long run are the hardest to get started, especially when we’re in a space where it feels like the end of the world is imminent. It’s a huge immediate relief, allowing people you trust to hold your emotions; once you feel safe with them, you can begin to do the long-term planning that will help you succeed. You deserve it!
Answered by Lucia
From my experience as a high-function individual living with a co-occurring mood disorder and a personality disorder, I can understand the complexities of your experience. Even though I always did well enough to get by and it seemed like I had everything, I was screaming inside. I normalized my feelings and fears and stuffed them deep inside. I hid them very well (on the outside), but they never went away and eventually got worse. I knew something was wrong, but I was scared to face it. I was afraid of ‘being different,’ afraid of the possibility of having a mental health condition, afraid of what others would think, afraid of stigma and stereotypes, everything. But I knew I couldn’t live like that anymore. I realized that I can and should be happy—and that it’s up to me to make that happen.
They always say that ‘better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.’ This is far from true. Facing our fears is scary and difficult, but facing ourselves is even more overwhelming. It’s so daunting to take that first step-to start a journey to discover yourself and be the best you can be, regardless if an individual has a mental health condition or not. I used to think that if I was function, then I was fine, but I wasn’t. I had to acknowledge that something wasn’t okay. I wasn’t alright and I deserved better. I matter and my life matter and, more importantly, it was okay not to be okay and it was okay to get help.
I struggled for so many more years than I needed to because of fear. I’ve learned a lot along the way, but I wish I got help sooner. Looking back, I was always struggling and I didn’t know where or how to get help. Once I started reaching out to people I trusted and allowed myself to be vulnerable, I learned where and who to turn to. Even though I lost some friendships along the way, I gained real relationships and I uncovered a beautiful me I never knew existed.
As much as I wanted/want to believe I can do everything on my own, I’ve accepted that it’s okay to need other people and things. What is important that you never stop trying and utilize your resources. There’s always hope. There’s always help. There’s family, friends, counselors, school nurses, social workers, so many people that can and want to be there. I surround myself with positive people and things, take my medications, and visit my therapist regularly. I exercise frequently, eat healthy, and follow a routine. I set boundaries and say ‘no’ when I need to so I don’t get overwhelmed. Even though sometimes I don’t like having to do these things, I have learned that taking care of myself allows me to be the best me I can be. It took time to find what worked for me. Running away from everything was exhausting, but it’s okay to be me. No one is perfect, but we all deserve to be happy. There’s no such thing as ‘normal;’ there’s only what works for you to find stability and serenity in yourself. Don’t give up. DBSA has great information and resources to finding support.
Answered by: Danyelle
This is definitely a question that you should ask your doctor or pharmacist. Most medications will have warning labels that caution you to be careful about consuming alcohol while taking the medication. However, only once you have discussed drinking while on medication with your psychiatrist should you make an informed decision about whether or not you want to have a drink. If your psychiatrist gives you the go-ahead and you do decide to drink, I would suggest limiting the number of drinks that you have and being cautious because medication can cause our bodies to process alcohol in different ways (you may metabolize it quicker than your peers who are not taking medication so it may affect you faster). Also, sometimes certain medications can interact with alcohol in dangerous ways—leading to higher levels of alcohol in your blood, so always be careful. After discussing drinking while on medication with my doctor, and making the personal decision that when out with friends I would like to occasionally have a drink or two, I soon learned how the combination of alcohol and my medication impacts me. I have figured out what type of drinks I am able to handle (a glass of sparkling wine is my favorite!), and which ones to steer clear of (no more Raspberry Smirnoff thank you college…). OF NOTE: it is important to recognize that you CANNOT drink while taking certain antidepressants and other mood stabilizers—since it could lead to a fatal interaction. If you are taking a medication that you cannot drink on, then you can always enjoy a “mocktail” while out at the bar—there have been plenty of times when I have simply had a soda water with a lemon while out with friends.
Answered by Jenna
The good news is not all mental health concerns and diagnoses require medication. In fact, there are many functioning and successful people who manage mental health conditions without medication. It’s important to have self-awareness and be in-tune with your body and emotions, with or without medication. If you are being prescribed medications and don’t want to take them, voice this opinion with your doctor! It’s important to explain what’s going on and why you aren’t interested in taking meds. A lot of times people don’t want to take medications because of adverse side effects. By discussing this, you and your doctor can explore alternative options. It’s also helpful to have a good understanding of what the medication is being prescribed for. That way you can have an idea of what the effect should be if you were to take it. Keep in mind it often takes time to determine the best dosage and combination of medications before you find what works best for you. Communication is key!
Answered by Jessica
It’s understandable to be scared or nervous to seek professional help. You might not know what to expect or not fully understand what’s going to happen from here. You might be afraid of receiving bad news. If your life feels out of control or if others have talked to you about getting help, seeking professional help might end up providing some relief. The “before” is usually scarier than the actual appointment. It can be tough to open up to a complete stranger but keep in mind that mental health professionals help people for a living; there is very little you could share that they would find shocking. There are different types of professionals too, from your primary care physician, to a therapist, to a psychiatrist. Try contacting the one you would feel most comfortable with. You can also have someone you trust go with you to the appointment. Seeking professional help is a way for you to be in control and become involved with your recovery.
Answered by Jessica
Remember, always talk to your doctor or psychiatrist before beginning and/or stopping any medication, as some have side effects that can be permanent.
Personally for me, the reason I feel better is due to the medications I’m prescribed. Although it did take a lot of time and trial and error to finally find the right mixture of medications in my case, I kept close contact with my psychiatrist about what was working and what wasn’t, and how my moods were doing. When I’m feeling well and want to stop meds, I do remind myself that the reason I feel so much better is due to the medications I’m taking.
Many people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder are put on numerous psychiatric medications to help with symptoms. So when symptoms may “dissolve” or feel like they no longer exist, ask yourself what worked, and again, speak with your doctor/psychiatrist to see if they have any other insight before just stopping prescribed medications on your own.
Answered by Chelsea
Most would recommend that there should be some sort of line of communication between your therapist and other mental health professional(s) that you see. As a whole, all of those different professionals play important but very different parts in improving or assisting with your mental health needs. Therefore, it is helpful for all sides to be on the same page, up to date and aware of your mental health needs, diagnoses, medications, etc. so that each individual can help you by tailoring what they do to your needs and providing the best quality care that they possibly can.
Answered by: Adam
After an episode or period of uncertainty, your loved ones want a way to help you. There are plenty of professional resources available now for your family and friends. But I think another important resource for your loved ones is yourself!
I believe there are important details that only YOU can communicate with your support system. For example, I tend to feel more depressed on the weekends when I’m not busy keeping up my school and work schedule. I’ve identified my own mood trends and began to tell my closest friends and family. When I’m feeling better during the week, I can make plans to go to brunch Saturday morning. Having something to look forward to makes all the difference. Even if I’m still feeling down come Saturday morning, I’ll still have someone in place to talk to. By tracking your moods to identify your own patterns and keeping an open line of communication with your supporters, you can avoid some of your triggers and feel that support.
After a rough patch, hearing that you’re still worthy and that you’re still loved helps. Mood disorders can be very alienating. It can be uncomfortable to rehash your episode with others. Having a conversation and adding perspective can guide you on your way to wellness. The ultimate goal is to keep you safe! Your support system should help you feel less alone in your struggles and celebrate the daily triumphs with you. The first step is to open up just a little bit, and let those that love you the most help you.
Answered by: Megan
Each and everyone of us has an unique story to tell—and mental health recovery is no different. I can relate to how you feel. Even now, several years into my wellness journey, I look at others and think, ‘I don’t have it that bad…’ but I have to remember that this is my journey. Most of the time, this is hard. When you have a mood disorder, you already struggle with self-worth and it’s easy to fall into the ‘comparison trap.’ But this is your story, no one else’s. Even when you don’t believe it, you matter. Your life matters. Your story matters and the world needs to know you and hear it.
I was reading in one of my daily thoughts from the Hazelden Foundation and it was right on target: It is our role to identify with others’ stories, not compare. Even if we haven’t experienced certain things, that doesn’t de-value our situations. You deserve validation; your feelings, emotions, experiences are real and no one can take that away from you. That being said, you can use your own feelings to relate to others and show empathy to your friends. You can use it as a learning experience from all of you to support each other, no matter the circumstance, and draw you closer in friendship and love. You’re not being selfish—you’re being human and experiencing some of the symptoms of your condition.
Remember to take care of yourself, too. I would encourage to explore some options and get help. You deserve to be happy and become the best version of you-who you want to be! DBSA has great online support groups as well as Find a Pro, an online registry of providers that are available to help you with some of the things you’re experiencing. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, it is important to reach out to an adult you trust and if there are thoughts of suicide, call for help immediately.
You’re not alone. Your story is important. You matter.
Answered by: Danyelle
Being vulnerable and putting yourself out there especially in the context of needing help can create feelings of intimidation, nervousness and anxiety. However, I can assure you that if you are feeling this way, you are not alone. It is important to first find someone to talk to that you feel will not judge you, will be ready to listen to you and will be open to trying to understand what you are feeling. Taking the first step can oftentimes be the most difficult, and while it may be uncomfortable at first, the connection and support that can be created as a result can be worth it. If you still are having trouble finding someone to talk to, DBSA does have some local chapters that have peer-led support groups. You can go to our Support Group Locator on our website, find your state, put in your zip code and it will show you the group that is closest to you. We also offer an online young adult support group which you can access here.
