World Bipolar Day- Questionnaire

World Bipolar Day Questionnaire

1. What does bipolar disorder mean to you?
It means that the things I was working on and that I believed I could overcome, are never going to go away. Added to that are various shitty prognoses on various levels.

2. What was your life like before you were diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
Less crappy meds side effects, more mania, more dreams and hope and illusions.

3. How old were you when you were diagnosed?
29 July 2014. 44.

4. How do you manage your symptoms?
Judging by the fucking awful depression I’ve been living with since July 2013, I’m not managing them at all. How I attempt the wondrous feat of euthymia is meds, strict routines, regular sleep and food, a good psychiatrist … blah blah blah.

5. What is life like for you now?
I hate living alone with bifuckingpolar disorder. I am fortunate, however, I have a good life, good friends. I try hard and I despair quietly and when things are at their worst, I am silent. I can’t trust my moods or reactions anymore and I have no dreams.

6. Has having bipolar disorder affected your friendships, personal life, or professional life?
I haven’t told a hell of a lot of people, which I am very glad about. Too many people calling me crazy already. I hate it. It hurts. As for work, I’ve lost the plot and my confidence.

7. How do you think society treats people with a mental illness, especially bipolar disorder?
Like shit. Obviously. A quick look at the past month’s news items featuring bipolar will show you just how bad it is.

8. Have you ever felt discriminated against or looked poorly on because of bipolar disorder?
Yup – and far worse than homophobia ever hit me.

9. Do you have any words of advice for people in the world suffering with bipolar disorder, or other mental illness?
Take your damn meds.