Thursday, January 14, 2010

Swings


I swing between moderate to horrible. Today is a moderate day. I was able to sort of get out of bed, I made breakfast without that stampeding thought that all of this is worthless, and I have a list of things I can do today that I am kind of looking forward to.

This is bipolar disorder for me. It's not manic, it's just really depressed or slightly stable. I wish for mania. I had a manic episode once and it was almost amazing. I didn't need to sleep, I was excited about the future, my heart pulsed harshly and I really felt alive. I know this wasn't a good thing, but to feel something other than sad was nice.

On Tuesday I told my doctor that I think I will always be a sad person. That is just who I am. I've been like this ever since I was a little girl. I'm not happy-go-lucky, I'm melancholy and introspective and in some ways I'm ok with that. He asked why I'm in therapy if I'm ok feeling sad. I responded that I want to be able to find meaning and satisfaction in life through the sadness, and I don't want to kill myself. I want to live a full life, even if it's a little dark and deep.

My main goal is to find an overgrowth of reasons to stay alive. I have a few but they don't seem like enough on my bad days. I want to find meaning, worth in myself, worth in the day to day. I want to have a simple life filled with love and not this impending feeling of doom.

6 comments:

  1. Of course you want that. Everyone does.

    I hope that you can find a right combo of pills to help you feel balanced. Can you sweetheart.

    xoxo

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  2. Oh, wow, this is like taking a look back in the looking glass at myself. Wow! I remember those same feelings and actually asking a good friend if she thought I would ever be happy again. She laughed (kindly) and said "of course." I couldn't see it then, but I see it now.

    And I see it for you! You'll start having more moderate days at some point than bad days, and then you might actually have a better day than just a moderate day and then momentum takes over and things will start looking better. Nothing really changed in my life except the way I look at things and the way I value myself.

    You are on the right track and so wise to get a doctor to help you! I did it without drugs (because my mother suffered from alcoholism and I was afraid I'd become dependent on the drugs), but I wouldn't do that again. So, you are much wiser than I was!

    Sending lots of good thoughts!! Hugs, Silke

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  3. Oh, I keep meaning to tell you that you take the most gorgeous photos!! Hugs, Silke

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  4. Renee,

    I hope I can find the right balance of medication too. It's a big challenge as I have been on medication for three years now and still haven't found the best combination. But I'm still trying.

    Love you lots

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  5. Silke,

    I love hearing about your story. I'm so glad you have found happiness and I wonder constantly whether I ever will, maybe it is possible for me too.

    Thank you for the sweet comments about my photographs. I love your art and blog! You are so talented.

    xoxo

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  6. just found you and read your last post. I remember those feelings...it gets better...it really does. Hang in ok. Sarah

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