I've noticed there isn't much discussed about mental illness and weight loss. And I guess I need to kind of clear the air for myself, cause I feel like I'm hiding something. I mentioned it in one other thread, and didn't get much of a response, but I still have a hard time believing that out of everybody out there, I'm the only one dealing with this. I was diagnosed as Bi-Polar around the beginning of the year. Although my meds are working well, I do still rapid cycle, which I think effects my weight loss efforts a lot. I know some of you may prefer to keep things to yourself, or you may be embarrassed, and if so, instant message me so we can chat about these unique challenges. I'm not just talking about Bi-Polar, I mean any mental health issue, short or long term. I think I've been afraid to mention it for a long time because every time I turn around the news is reporting that some Bi-Polar person did something else. Got violent, had an affair with a student, whatever. I only ask that there is no judgement here, no name calling, no personal attacks. If your reading this thread and don't have any mental health issues, welcome, but please keep your comments polite and judgement free. This is NOT the place for tough love !! Everybody should feel safe here. Sometimes tough love is useful, at the wrong time though it can be devastating, and I don't want anybody to worry about that here

I just wanted to say Hello to you. There was another thread a couple months ago that was dedicated to bi-polar type illnesses. My mother is bipolar. I have a lot of experience in this area. I hope you are doing well.. taking your meds.. and eating some yummy bacon.. or whatever lo carb meat or treat you like! (((HUGS)))

How can I support you Margie? I need for you to tell me.....seriously!!

I'm reading about your disorder.....I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. Is impulse control part of what happens to you?

Are you working with a therapist aka talk therapy? Have you done alot of reading up on this?

Heather, how has it been for you with your Mother being Bi-polar? I have 3 kids and I worry so much about it. I know its a roller coaster ride for them too, even though its been much better since diagnosis and a couple med changes. Thanks for the support, its greatly appreciated.

Judy, you are to nice to me girl Dealing with it is difficult, but gets better as I start to sort out what behaviors(like impulse control ) are caused by Bi-Polar. I've had anger and depression problems beginning around age 21, but went undiagnosed for the last 10 years, which is average. I've been overweight off and on all my life, less often than more. But when I started taking meds the beginning of this year, I calmed down enough to have to deal with issues I tend to bury, a big one being my Dad's death last year. I just ballooned!!!! I've read everything I can possibly access on Bi-Polar and more. You can't see my condition, but for some reason I'm more ashamed of it then being fat, which I've decided I need to change too. I mentioned that I rapid cycle. For some people their ups and downs take days, weeks, even months. I usually go through many cycles of both a day, other times every couple days. Thats rapid cycling. The meds have helped with control, but don't stop the symptoms completly. I guess the best way to help me is like I said in my first post. I don't want sympathy when I start freaking, but at those times tough love is more than I can take. I usually draw into myself when I'm on a down swing and have a hard time facing anybody, but I've found this forum to help make that not so severe. For a while I thought the only reason people are nice to me is because they don't know. I think thats why I had to start this thread. Yes, I talk to a therapist every month, and she actually suggested I go to phychotherapy also because I have a hard time discussing issues that need to be discussed. Oh man, I really hope you all don't just write me off as crazy. I'm not a nut case like they make people out to be in the media!! Anyways, I just hope this thread can help some other people too. This is the first time I've "come out" I guess you could say, and its nerve wracking, but I feel better for doing it. Thank you both again so very, very much. If you are curious about anything, please ask.

I'm a huge believer in talk therapy...it is what has helped me too!! I've been to many therapists over the years....I've got issues.. If you can, I highly recommend it on at least a weekly basis.

When I was in therapy, I'd save all the things that bothered me each week for my session...I'd walk in with my list and we'd go at it and sometimes I walked out feeling great and sometimes it made me really look deep inside myself.

Hugs to you Margie!!

Hi again.. having a bi polar mother was hard. She went undiagnosed most of the time I was living with her. KWIM? So it is probably a lot different than what your children are living with. Does that make sense? She had a drug problem for a while in my child hood too.. so her bipolar is a little extreme. She is on disability, doesn't work..a nd is on a LOT of medication. She is struggling with her weight right now because of the meds.

ANyway, what kind of support do you need? How are youdoing? (((HUGS)))

Read that yet? Very good. She was a good bit older than you before she was diagnosed, and then took a long time coming to terms with needing to take her meds, despite on-going consequences.

I don't see that much evidence of people with bi-polar disorder causing very much trouble for people not in their immediate circle, myself. We have enough uncontrolled, paranoid schizophrenics around here to fill that spot. I try to be mindful that "mental illness" is a huge bucket and the various conditions within it often have very little to do with each other, apart from the fact that their origin lies within the neurochemistry of the brain, for the most part.

It can be a challenge for anyone to learn to distinguish between when "the disease is talking" and when it's reality. It's my experience that controlling my blood sugar through a LC WOL at the very least gives me a solid physiological baseline against which I can start to evaluate the other variables in my life that cause mood changes.

Again in my experience, it seems children can handle almost anything when parents are honest to the level of the child's understanding, and responsible about their own part in any situation. What makes it hard on children is when out-of-control parents are unable to take appropriate parental responsibility, or allow/teach the child to feel that the parent's behavior is caused by the child.

Talk therapy is such a good thing. I've done talk therapy in the past, 2 things are standing in my way now. Recently my husbands company changed insurance companies and they denied me because of the very problems I need help with. I'm looking for a good phycho therapist who will do a sliding pay scale for me because the money situation isn't even funny. The times when I did do talk therapy were great. I can relate to the sometimes feeling great, sometimes looking deep inside myself, which usually I don't care to do. I was never organized enough to make a list, hence my problems with planning out grocery lists and meals for SB. But I'm getting better because its so important to me.

Right now I'm on a downswing, but still doing well and trying to pull out of it. It must have been so hard for your with an undiagnosed Mom. Thats another thing, meds can do great things but only if you take them. I've learned this for myself. Self medication (drug use) happens a lot, I've been there myself. I'm more worried about you than myself I think. You let me know if theres anything I can help you with

I have a lot to say about the mental health system and support network right now, but I have to save that speech for tonight, plus I would like some input from you both about something I may want to try. I just can't decide and some other opinions would be helpfull.

When my mood changes get a little more intense than normal, take this week for instance, its like a tornado and its very visible. I can't think staight, I get physically exhausted, my house becomes an absolute mess, I loss my temper quickly, etc. Luckily my husband knows the signs(he's the greatest man on earth I believe) and knows to ask me what I need. Once again, thanks you two and it means a lot to me that you take an interest. Talk soon,
Much love, Margie

Yes!! Very well said!!

as one who grew up with a nutty( and undiagnosed) mom who blamed all her problems on me!! So that when she finally stopped threatening suicide and actually did it, I did feel as if it was "all my fault"

I believe I have heard of that booked but haven't read it yet. I will definately pick it up this weekend My kids know I have to take medicine everyday to help with my anger and moods. They know that when I get a little crazy or overreact sometimes its not them, and this seems to have helped them and me out. I haven't given them the actual name of what I have yet, the oldest are 9 and 11, youngest 3, but I'm seriously thinking about it. I just don't know for sure. I don't wanting them hearing some media mania and associating it with me, or being embarrassed about it. Sometimes I feel guilty for even having them and putting them through it. Same with my husband, if I'd have known what I have, I wouldn't have married him for his own sake. But for some strang reason he loves me, and appreciates everything I do to try and help myself.

OMG Judy, I am so sorry!! I don't tear up very easily, but my heart just broke for you. Can you feel me hug you, as corny as that sounds?

Thanks Margie.....yes, I do feel your hug!!

It was a long time ago but it has left its scar on my soul. I know that you would never do that to your kids!!

Your right Judy, I just couldn't. I can't say I've never been suidical, but my kids were never told or even implied. Sometimes I catch myself telling them they are making me crazy, a common phrase in motherhood, and I've nipped that too because I don't want them thinking they've made me the way I am. I get tired of second guessing my emotions. Am I really feeling this way? Am I overreacting? Am I not reacting strongly enough? In fact, I tend to go too easy on them for that fact. Its hard to find the middle ground sometimes.

This is exactly where a good therapist will help you!! If you keep looking, you'll find one!!

Thats whats needed, but leads to the a long speech from me about mental health care. I can speak for other places, but its a mess here. 2 major mental health hospitals have shut their doors here in the last year. The organization where I was going to see my phyciatrist just shut down, but luckily refered me to another. People like to pretend mental health isn't that important. There will be a huge backlash I believe in a couple years though. All those patients released or sent to jail, they will be out on the street with a good chance of not taking their meds. You can't get proper meds from a regular family Dr., which I can't afford to go to anyway. Homeless rates will go up, crime will go up, etc... Then there will be a huge outcry of "DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!!" Its not fair to anyone involved. The nearest Bi-Polar support group is about 1 1/2 hours from me. I've thought about starting one in my town, but don't know if I'm up to the task, or how to go about it. I guess thats enough for now. I think many people don't realize that so many people who have mental health issues are productive members of society, but won't be if care isn't available. So many more could be productive if care was easily accesable. Ok, theres my little rant.