With A Fork

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“Dude, just relax!”

This one guy says this to me on a regular basis.

And each time I hear it, I grip my utensils just a little bit tighter.

We’re just sitting around eating a meal.

No big topics. No controversial music choices. Just food in face.

We’re talking about something mundane – laundry, maybe – when I remember I have a thing related to the laundry – some socks that need to go in the wash?

SO I softly swear and make a mental note to do so after the meal.

The dude notices and with a big, shit-eating grin, tells me to “just relax, bro!”.

I say nothing.

And it happens again

And that time, that one time, that’s it.

I’ve had enough.

I blow up at him.

I yell about how telling someone with anxiety to “relax” is like telling a drowning man to stop drowning. From the safety of their private yacht.

It’s insulting and upsetting and I think I’ve used this phrase before?

And he says hey it’s cool, I had depression in high school. I know what it’s like.

And I say hey, I don’t care, stop telling me to calm down.

Stop telling me to relax, chill, take it easy.

I can’t. This ain’t a choice.

And if you tell me that you’ve had depression and you know what it’s like and you still have the nerve to tell me to not feel how I feel, then I will stab you with my fork.

And we eat the rest of the meal in silence.

Later, we have a chat about bipolarity and the meaning of a “chronic illness”. And he apologises. His experience with depression was one of a battle, something to win. Not something to manage and endure. He didn’t know.

“Sorry bro.”

It’s okay hombre.

We all got our stuff.

And I’m sorry I threatened you with cutlery.

+++++

[shirt]

Dealing With Grief

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As bipolaroids, we get to deal with some pretty strong emotions.

Sometimes frequently, sometimes not.

But we’re in a position to know how to handle crap feels.

Recently, a family friend died.

And people grieved.

Some cried. Some laughed. Some had quiet talks in corners, and gave compliments on the flower arrangements.

Now, at the time I didn’t really know how to handle all this. As a child I’ve had pets die, and elderly relatives. But as an adult, I’m not used to these situations. What to say or how to act. You think there’d be a handbook or something.

Yet my approach to grief is pretty basic.

Years of managing depression have taught me the following.

If I feel the need to:

  • cry, I will cry.
  • eat, I will eat.
  • sleep, I will sleep.
  • exercise, I will crank out a set of circuit training.
  • comfort those around me, I hug the ever-loving crap out of everyone.

Together, we got through it.

And I can’t help but wonder just how much of that was due to experience. Like if managing depression – not always well, but frequently – somehow gives me insight into what to expect and how to help myself more clearly?

I have no way of knowing. But I’m glad we’re through it.

Have You Tried [X]?

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In your journey to manage your mental health, you are going to receive advice.

Several times.

Okay, a lot.

From many people.

The first few times will be nice and simple and you’ll nod and listen and thank them.

And
then the next few times you’ll stare them down. Maybe inform them that
”… no actually this *is* a chronic illness, there’s *no* cure, and I
don’t *care* what worked for your Aunt Selma.”

It’s about this time that you’ll start wondering what the fuck is wrong with people.

It’s called “the illusion of control”.

The reasoning goes like this.

Person
A is a reasonably healthy individual. When problems crop up, Person A
is in a position to act. Person A believes that bad health comes from bad choices, and that they can stay healthy by
continuing to make the right choices.

This is Person A’s world.

Person A feels in control.

Now, say Person A meets Person B.

Person B is reasonably healthy, just like Person A.

Except Person B has a flavour of bipolar.

For
Person A, the idea that bad things
can happen to good people is antithetical to their experience.
Person A doesn’t *want* to believe that shit luck is real, because it means that it
could happen to them.

Bad health = bad choice. That’s the mantra. And by extension, they can turn bad
health into good health just by doing more of a good thing, or by doing less of a
bad thing.

To Person A, the idea that they are not in control
of their health is terrifyingly new. And so they will pile on the advice
in an attempt to drown out their fear.

Now, this phenomenon
is not even remotely unique to mental health. The illusion of control
pops up frequently. Especially when talking about poverty, criminality,
antisocial behavior, politics, economic choices, terrorism and more. It’s their fault, they could fix it if only they do [X].

So what can Person B do about Person A?

In my experience, you have three choices:

  1. Decide to put up with their feverish attempt to maintain their illusion
    by smiling and nodding and thanking them for their input.
  2. Choose to distance yourself from anyone who doesn’t take the time to educate themselves on the realities of mental health.
  3. Take a stand and attempt to educate them on the realities of mental health.

If you choose 1, you will get by okay, but may find yourself quite frustrated.

If
you choose 2, you will find it difficult to get on in most societies.
And, while sometimes necessary, I don’t recommend making this your
default behaviour.

If you choose 3, you are in for a fight.
People’s egos take the news that they might be susceptible to shit luck
as a threat. In response, they may go all out to defend their worldview.

There’s no wrong choice here. Look after yourself first. That’s rule #1.

But, if you do choose 3, you *may* just make life a little easier for Person A by
expanding their understanding and teaching them how to empathise. And in turn this *may* make it easier on the next
Person B that they encounter.

Choose wisely.
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Hey, I was wondering if that post about Basic Breakdowns was specifically about cyclothymia or if it was also about bipolar ii? Because that is usually what happens to me as well, and usually im able to stop it or control it in that way too..

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Hi Anon, thanks for writing!

Hypomania isn’t all positive all the time.

Hypomania, like depression, is a mixed bag of sensations.

My experiences with hypomania include increased energy levels,
creativity, sensations of increased strength, and a “there’s no WAY I
CAN POSSIBLY FAIL” worldview.

It lets me get stuff done, while feeling amazing. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t grateful for these experiences.

But sometimes I don’t get the good bits.

I just get the crap bits.

These can include feeling uncomfortably energetic, being irritable at everything, experiencing unrealistic expectations,

and sensations of paranoia.

Like “I am uncomfortable and they KNOW I’m uncomfortable and that makes me MORE UNCOMFORTABLE”.

It’s like experiencing a paranoid panic attack except I feel that I can punch through mountains.

Which I can’t. So I go home and play video games.

I hope this helps!

Basic Breakdown

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Sitting in a coffee shop. Trying to do some basic work.

Using my giant headphones

to ignore the basic conversation about how DudeName’s cousin shtupped What’s-A-Face’s little sibling.

I’m just trying to focus on the basics. Get the job done. Drink the cappuccino. Get paid. Go home.

And it all starts to go a bit peculiar.

First it’s the heart rate. My pulse goes up and I feel a bit edgy.

Palms go a bit sweaty.

DudeName drones on.

I can’t help but fixate on the conversation. Have you ever heard an annoying voice talking about a meaningless topic, yet get very engaged?

Stop it. Turn up the music. Type faster.

Then its the certainty that someone is staring at me. I stare at each group in turn, trying to figure out who’s eyeballing me.

Nope. Just focus on the basics.

Drink coffee. Ignore What’s-A-Face. Music. Work.

But now it feels like DudeName’s and What’s-A-Face’s voices are filling my world. I want to cry with the amount of apathy I have for their damn story.

Get the stuff done. Go home.

I just want to go home.

But instead I sit there like a fool.

In my head, if I pack up, pay for the bill and get out of here, then everyone will know. The unsettled hypomania wins.

And everyone will know.

And that’s the worst thing.

Or is it?

Here’s my three-step process for dealing with the Basic Breakdown.

  1. Imagine that all these other people are on their own islands. They have their own things going on. Any looks in my direction are circumstantial. They’re just glancing at the horizon.
  2. Stop drinking coffee. Like, right now. Yes I know I paid good money for it, but it feels like caffeine can trigger or extend my hypomanic symptoms. So I give myself permission to not finish the cup/pot/barrel.
  3. Save my work, pack up and go home. Work to your strengths when you can. And when your strength is failing, stop lifting.

Be kind and look after yourself.

If you can’t work in public, for whatever reason, then don’t.

Give yourself a break.

Pick something you know you can do.

  • Watch Netflix on your phone.
  • Read some comics.
  • Eat pizza with your hands and a paper towel.

And just let it pass.

+++++

[shirt]

What happens if you’re bipolar 2 and you decided not to take any medications?

reversethebipolarities_oqhia1Leave a comment

So first off, the caveats.

I just wanna make it clear that I:

  • am totally not a doctor

  • am not even remotely a
    therapist

  • gots no certifications that let me
    give what I’d label as “qualified” advice

  • believe strongly in the quality of life as a decision-making tool

Okay, moving on.

Everyone on this damn planet is responsible for their own
behaviour.

Bipolaroids are no different.

Except that we have added factors to
deal with.

Being bipolar means managing an illness. This illness influences
behaviour. This illness is for life. You can not get rid of it. But you can learn how to manage it.

And like any other illness, how you manage it should
reflect how it impacts on your quality of life.

So, what happens if you decide to not take meds?

It depends on your circumstances.

  • Do you definitely have bipolar,
    and it’s not a misdiagnosis?

  • How does your bipolarity manifest
    itself?

  • How fast do your bipolar states
    cycle?

  • How do these cycles influence your
    behaviour?

  • How does your bipolar behaviour
    impact your quality of life?

  • How much support do you have
    available?

  • How well do you manage without
    medication?

  • How much time and money you can invest in your mental health?

Non-medication management is a valid choice for many.

There is evidence that people who experience mild symptoms from
bipolar disorder can benefit from a range of options.

These include talking therapies, support groups, meditation, yoga,
eating good, omega 3 fatty acids (specifically with a ratio of DHA to
EPA of 3:1 or better), sleeping well, and exercising regularly.

From my understanding, these factors don’t influence the severity or
length of the symptoms. They just give better control over
reactions to bipolar behaviour. They enable management.

Medication is a valid choice for many.

Managing your responses to your bipolar cycles can be difficult,
as it affects willpower, amongst other things. Done right, medication
can help people manage their bipolar disorder. It gives them
breathing space and control.

Correctly administered medication does this by reducing the
length and magnitude of bipolar cycles.

And ceasing or changing medication can
have it’s own complications.

So choosing to go on medication, or come off it, is daunting.

Overall, there is no rightness or wrongness.

For me, it’s about my quality of life. If the net outcome is “current
quality of life > past quality of life” then it’s a good
decision.

One last thing.

If you are on medication, and decide to come off medication:

  1. Only do so with the support of a
    certified physician.

  2. Make sure the process is slow and
    receives close monitoring from said physician. Weekly visits are a
    must.

  3. Get the support of people involved in your life. You will
    need their feedback to gauge on your progress, or the lack of it.

I hope this helps!

Pain & Art

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I had a conversation with a well-meaning acquaintance recently. This
well-meaning person went out of their way to point out that I should be
optimistic. Because as a bipolar person, I had a list of productive
creative pursuits I could follow using my illness “as an advantage”.

And it’s taken a while to get to the point where I can look at that behaviour and say, no.

Not cool.

First up, mental illness is not an advantage.

I can’t switch it on and off. I have no choice over how it presents itself. It’s a condition. I live with it every day.

Yes, there are quite a few people with bipolar in artistic and creative fields.

But there’s a reason for that too.

Art is a release, not a superpower.

The bipolaroids I’ve spoken to who pursue creative works often say they do it because it’s a byproduct. Art is an out.

At
it’s best, art is creative therapy that, for some reason, other people
seem to like. At worst it’s trash that I make to distract myself from
how hellish my illness is making me feel.

In both cases, the works produced are not worth the cost.

Think
about that next time you’re looking at Starry Night, or Blue Poles. Or
anything by Gauguin. Think about the intensity and depth of feeling
gained from the works of Poe, Twain, Plath, Whitman, Hemingway. Think
about the strength of your reaction. Then multiply it by anyone who has
ever experienced these works. Then think about placing all that emotive
energy into one human mind and see how it fractures.

Yes, these people and their works are amazing.

But they are not magical.

They are paint on canvas. Words on a page. Anyone with skill and drive can learn to do same. Thousands have.

And
while neat, these works are not worth the cost these artists payed in
their misery. They could have just as easily been made by someone who
wasn’t wracked with internal torment.

So, do not tell me that I have a sorcerous mind because of my bipolarity.

My brain isn’t blessed by destiny. My work is good because I work at it.

My work is good despite my illness, not because of it.

And I’m not going to sacrifice my wellbeing so that others can be entertained.

I’m gonna look after my damn self and keep making good work when I can.

Now get off my back.

+++++

[shirt]

Management

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Okay so I know I talk a lot about managing depression and hypomanic states.

But it’s not as simple as that. And I think it’s my fault that some people get it wrong.

For a start, you can’t “manage” depression.

It’s not a god-damn stock portfolio.

It’s not like I’m investing heavily in “sadness” or “nihilistic statements” instead of “rainbows” and “smiling”.

Instead, I’m talking about the act of managing responses.

Taking time to deliberately examine the drivers behind actions you take. See if they factually help the situation. Getting mindful. Looking at emotions as inputs that inform responses, and not states that demand action.

That’s what “management” means here.

Also if anyone know how to invest in rainbows I’m listening.

+++++

[shirt]