advertisement

I Will Live a Peaceful Bipolar Life

April 1, 2010 Cristina Fender

Can I live a peaceful bipolar life? I’m trying, using bipolar recovery tools - therapy, antipsychotic medication, meditation. More on the Bipolar Vida blog.

Things are going well--I think I'm on my way to a peaceful bipolar life. My psychiatric nurse added an antipsychotic medication at bedtime and I’m doing better. I feel more stable. I have minor shakes, but I can live with that if it means I can handle life. I registered for college this past week and I’m going to start on June 1, 2010. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. I have to say that I feel better able to handle the stress right now. I meditate twice a day now and it’s been amazing at controlling my stress. The affirmations that I listen to daily remind me that I’m going to make it. I’m keeping a positive outlook on life with bipolar. I feel like I'm about to live a peaceful bipolar life.

Can I Have a Peaceful Life with Bipolar Disorder?

There is still that nagging voice way in the back of my head that asks me if I can really do this. Can I go full time at school while maintaining a good home life for my kids? What if I drop out of school again? But then the positivity comes in and reminds me gently that I’m doing well now. I have all the tools I need to live a peaceful bipolar life. I’m maintaining a relationship with my therapist, seeing my psychiatric nurse regularly, and implementing stress busters. I plan on adding daily walks to keep the blood flowing.

Doing What I Can to be a Healthy and Peaceful Bipolar

Peaceful Bipolar Life

My energy level is higher. I still can’t go to sleep without my medication, though. I’ve been trying to stop using that, but when two hours passes and I don’t go to sleep, I give in and take my medicine. I’m seeing a sleep specialist this week and, hopefully, I have sleep apnea or something that can be treated. Silly of me to want something to be wrong, but I just wish I could sleep naturally. I would give anything to be able to sleep peacefully without meds, but I kinda think I’m hopeless. I’ve had sleeping problems for as long as I can remember. I honestly think it’s related to my bipolar. Sleeping problems have been known to be issues for bipolars. It’s how we get mania.

The point is that I’m doing all I can to live a peaceful bipolar life. I’m taking my weaknesses and strengthening them as best as I can. I believe it’s the only way to reach bipolar recovery to live a life of purpose. A peaceful life with bipolar is my goal. And I’m going to reach it!

APA Reference
Fender, C. (2010, April 1). I Will Live a Peaceful Bipolar Life, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, March 28 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/bipolarvida/2010/04/peaceful-bipolar-life



Author: Cristina Fender

Jen
April, 4 2010 at 10:06 am

I am so excited for you. I am a single bipolar mother of a 14 yo bipolar girl. We have been struggling with meds for some time and I believe we have both finally found the right combination. I started school before we did (about 2 years ago now) and have struggled, but been able to keep a 3.8 gpa. I know you will do well.
I have just decided to take up meditation also, but my mind races so much I have a hard time with it. If you have any tips I would be grateful.
Good luck!!!

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
April, 5 2010 at 10:30 am

Wow, Jen, you have a lot on your plate. You were amazing to keep such a high GPA.
Meditation works best if you're in a quiet, dark room (like your closet) and you concentrate on the music and voice. I prefer guided meditation so there's something for my mind to latch onto.
Thanks for the comment, Jen!
Cristina

Kristin
April, 2 2010 at 10:50 am

Cristina~
It sounds like you are really getting things under control. I, too, feel better with a lot of things you are trying. Meditation/Prayer is huge for me. It is a time, voices and noise can slow down in my brain and I can listen to what is in my heart.
School is great! Hang on and if things get stressful, hang in there! You know you can do it, and if things get too much, cut back on hours or take a semester off.........YOU CAN DO IT. I believe in you!
Unfortunately, I also have the shakes in my hands mostly. It is embarrassing to me at times and I try the best to hide it. I guess you are right, it can be a price to pay for stable moods.
Thanks for your inspiration!
Kristin

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
April, 5 2010 at 10:19 am

Thanks for your inspiration, Kristin!
I'll try and keep my head above water this next semester. It's a constant commitment that I intend to keep.
I try and hide my hands, too. Not an easy task, as you well know.
Thanks for your comment.
Cristina

Amy
April, 2 2010 at 6:07 am

Its nice to see that you are staying in the moment and realizing what is going on as it happens. That is a key point to staying healthy. I also have problems sleeping, and hate having to rely on meds to sleep. My 9 year old daughter has sleep issues also, it breaks my heart to think that maybe she has this too.
Good luck with school. You can do it, meditation will help you tremendously so keep it up.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
April, 5 2010 at 10:15 am

Thanks for the pep talk, Amy. So far things are going well. I'll keep everyone abreast of what happens.
Thanks for the comment.
Cristina

Kassie
April, 1 2010 at 8:04 am

I am proud of you for making the step of going back to school. I went back to school before my bipolar got bad, and went through the suicide attempts at the same time of going to school. Even though I went through those things, I was still able to maintain my grades. It was important to me to stay in school no matter what I went through. If I can do it, so can you!!! Good luck!

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cristina Fender
April, 1 2010 at 9:50 am

Thanks, Kassie. I'm going to take it easy and only take 6 hours during the summer. The super obsessive me wanted to take 12 hours, but the reasonable me helped us come to terms with reality! I wish I had had your strength the first time around.
Thanks for the pep talk! I'm going to school.
Cristina

Leave a reply