What is your diagnosis?
Bipolar II and Mixed Personality Disorder
What is that?
I'm batshit crazy. Other diagnoses have been (in chronological order) : Reactive depression, chronic depression, recurrent depressive disorder (Chronic), Treatment Resistant Depression
How does it affect you?
Some days I hate the label - I worry that maybe I live up to it. Other days it makes total sense. The treatment resistant part worries me when I am in a low as it doesn't feel like there is much hope. But in other ways I feel finally I have been listened to, being told I have "something" and that is why I am feeling that way is reassuring.
Bipolar II and Mixed Personality Disorder
What is that?
I'm batshit crazy. Other diagnoses have been (in chronological order) : Reactive depression, chronic depression, recurrent depressive disorder (Chronic), Treatment Resistant Depression
How does it affect you?
Some days I hate the label - I worry that maybe I live up to it. Other days it makes total sense. The treatment resistant part worries me when I am in a low as it doesn't feel like there is much hope. But in other ways I feel finally I have been listened to, being told I have "something" and that is why I am feeling that way is reassuring.
"On reflection I should have been diagnosed when I was 15,
but I thought I would be shunned as being a teenager"
How long have you been diagnosed?
Permanently since 1997 - when I had moved abroad and got some proper treatment. I was 32. On reflection I should have been diagnosed when I was 15, but I thought I would be shunned as being a teenager.
How long did it take to get diagnosed?
17 years
How did you feel when you were diagnosed?
Relieved
Have you ever been hospitalized due to your condition?
Yes
Permanently since 1997 - when I had moved abroad and got some proper treatment. I was 32. On reflection I should have been diagnosed when I was 15, but I thought I would be shunned as being a teenager.
How long did it take to get diagnosed?
17 years
How did you feel when you were diagnosed?
Relieved
Have you ever been hospitalized due to your condition?
Yes
"In the UK, I have been "discharged" as I am not a priority
(i.e. threatening harm to self or others) at the moment"
Do you feel hospitalization helped you?
In part, but I was abroad so the language barrier was a problem at times.
How do you feel about your overall experience with medical healthcare professionals?
Abroad - fantastic, but then it is private healthcare so you ask, you get. In the UK, I have been "discharged" as I am not a priority (i.e. threatening harm to self or others) at the moment. So am getting referred privately.
What treatment if any are you undertaking?
Drugs. Drugs. Drugs. (Prescribed prescription btw).
Does your treatment have any negative side effects?
Insomnia.
In part, but I was abroad so the language barrier was a problem at times.
How do you feel about your overall experience with medical healthcare professionals?
Abroad - fantastic, but then it is private healthcare so you ask, you get. In the UK, I have been "discharged" as I am not a priority (i.e. threatening harm to self or others) at the moment. So am getting referred privately.
What treatment if any are you undertaking?
Drugs. Drugs. Drugs. (Prescribed prescription btw).
Does your treatment have any negative side effects?
Insomnia.
"They have nooooooo idea, no matter how I try to explain"
Have you tried any other treatments?
Shiatsu massage for relaxation (very good) and other pampering treatments. Talking therapy is a must.
Did you share your diagnosis with family and friends?
Family. Close friends
Did any of your family or friends have a negative reaction?
Yep. They have nooooooo idea, no matter how I try to explain.
Have you lost any friends or family due to your mental health issues?
Yes. And close relationships with partners.
Shiatsu massage for relaxation (very good) and other pampering treatments. Talking therapy is a must.
Did you share your diagnosis with family and friends?
Family. Close friends
Did any of your family or friends have a negative reaction?
Yep. They have nooooooo idea, no matter how I try to explain.
Have you lost any friends or family due to your mental health issues?
Yes. And close relationships with partners.
"Usually speechless, change subject, tell me
stories about people they know who got over it, tell
me I don't need the drugs, or that I should get over it"
Do you think your family and friends understand your condition?
Nope. Nope and nope.
Do you tell new people about your condition?
Sometimes.
If so, what kind of reaction do you usually get?
Usually speechless, change subject, tell me stories about people they know who got over it, tell me I don't need the drugs or that I should get over it.
Do you think people perceive you differently once they know of your mental health issues?
Yes
Nope. Nope and nope.
Do you tell new people about your condition?
Sometimes.
If so, what kind of reaction do you usually get?
Usually speechless, change subject, tell me stories about people they know who got over it, tell me I don't need the drugs or that I should get over it.
Do you think people perceive you differently once they know of your mental health issues?
Yes
"Actually, I do have pretty low self esteem,
but only when I allow myself to think about it"
Do you feel your mental health has an impact on your self-esteem?
At times, although I have learnt to deal with these feelings better. Actually, I do have pretty low self esteem, but only when I allow myself to think about it.
Is your self image affected by your mental health?
Oh yes.
What’s important to you when you’re struggling?
My cat. My bed. Sleep.
What keeps you going?
My cat. But he's in Switzerland, so that's a bit difficult (my ex has custody because my cat would not cope living in a city)
At times, although I have learnt to deal with these feelings better. Actually, I do have pretty low self esteem, but only when I allow myself to think about it.
Is your self image affected by your mental health?
Oh yes.
What’s important to you when you’re struggling?
My cat. My bed. Sleep.
What keeps you going?
My cat. But he's in Switzerland, so that's a bit difficult (my ex has custody because my cat would not cope living in a city)