How to Fight Bad Days

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2003
How to Fight Bad Days
3
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 2:58pm

I was recently (Thanksgiving) diagnosed Bipolar Type 2. I am taking Effexor, Lamictal and Seroqual. I am in therapy and have been doing well. But I am starting to feel badly again.

My question is... How to you fight the bad days and fend off worse when you feel like worse might be coming? And how do you do this without burdening your family and friends? I feel like I've put everyone through so much in the last few months and I don't want to bring everyone down after things have been so positive the last month.

I'm not totally sure why I am feeling this 'panic' or anxiety again but I feel like I am slipping / sliding and I want to figure out a way to stop it before I slide too far back.

Thanks for reading.

~Christa

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 5:51pm
Hey. Sometimes it's just about impossible from stop it from happening. For me, I try to think of something to do that I know will make me happy. And that is watching something funny on tv or listening to the radio, a channel I know will have my favorite songs. I know this seems simple and wont' work for everyone. I know my bad days and feelings are not as serious as some people experience.
I dont' know if anyone can understand this, but sometimes when I feel bad, I WANT to feel bad. I know that's crazy. So that makes it hard for me to 'get out of it'.
Oh, and chocolate sometimes helps. But if it's serious bad feelings, I just don't know. I can't get out of that myself.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2004
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 6:55pm
The only thing I can offer for adivce is possibly do anything that might will get your mind distracted. When I'm at work and I'm in a stressfull situation that gets pushes my panic button, I will do something let get out a piece of paper and start drawing or writting a letter to my penpal. Maybe I'll do something like plotting my next music perchase or song list on my MP3 player. Just, as fast as I can, I'll start doing something. It may not take the feelings away, but it certainly gives you something to kind of look forward to.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-30-2006 - 8:35am

Hi Christa,

I REALLY wish I knew how to stop them from coming...they hit me so hard, all the time. Just do what you can...positive thinking...plenty of rest...avoid triggers when at all possible...yes, I know that one is hard...stay medication compliant...ride out the bad days and know they won't last.

I'm glad you're here! Not doing well myself, but I'll talk with you more.

Hugs,

Keli