Consumer Interview
Age
48
Gender
Female
Are you under care of a Doctor, Psychiatrist, Therapist, Other? Please List
Family Doctor Only
What is your diagnosis or diagnoses?
Bipolar Disease, Depression, SAD.
At what age were you diagnosed with the borderline personality disorder
and/or bipolar disorder?
30
Have you gotten better or worse?
Better.
** Very Important Question If You Could Answer Fully -> If you have gotten
better, what specifically has helped you? This could be different for every
person.
What specifically has helped me is exercising on a regular basis to keep the
endorphins up, knowing when to rest, being able to recognize when I am starting
to get “out of control”, allowing myself to have an off day every now and
then just for me and very understanding friends and a supportive family care
physician.
Has medication helped?
The Lithium “deadened” me. I had no reactions, no expressions. It took away
me. I use Zoloft during the winter combined with exercise and healthy eating and
indulgence in chocolate every now and then. The chocolate actually warts off
migraines. I can discontinue the Zoloft from Spring through the Fall. At that
time I increase my exercise also.
*What advice would you like to give to others who are suffering from your
same illness(’s)?
Read all you can about the disease. Discuss it with MANY health
professionals. Exercise, eat healthy and LEARN to take care of yourself FIRST. I
cannot promote exercise enough!!! IT IS THE BIGGY, at least where I am
concerned!
* Have you ever felt stigmatized due to having the BPD and/or bipolar
disorder? Have you ever felt you have been looked down on or put down by others
because you have the BPD and/or BP? Tell us about it.
Actually I do not share this information with many people. My true friends
understand and accept me for me. Going to group therapy was EXTREMELY
DEPRESSING. I need to surround myself and my life with positive, happy,
productive, even keeled, people. Depression is rather contagious to me. I stay
clear of people who demonstrate this on a regular basis.
What do you know now that you wish you would have known long ago?
That exercise DOES help!!!!! And that is OK to take care of me first!! And
that a mental health day is OK. I wish I had known how therapeutic motorcycle
riding was. I recently got my license and bought a bike. I believe the
inhalation of the oxygen and basically just being in the fresh air really helps
me to feel better.
How have these disorder(s) interfered in your life? Which areas?
It has destroyed a marriage, a relationship with a daughter, and I tend to SPEND
when I toggle towards the manic phase. This has gotten easier.
* What does it feel like to have your disorder?
In some ways it is a curse, obviously. In others, I am quite unique and draw
people to me. I can be contagious in a good way. I have not mastered how to
utilize my good days to their fullest, but it is an on-going adventure.
*Have you ever felt seriously suicidal? How many times? What got you through
that (those times)?
YES and to numerous to count^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^It use to be my children.
NOW it is my Grandchild.
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