Maintaining Stability With Bipolar Illness

Yes I am going to talk about mental illness Again! I've gotten complaints from family whenever I complain they call it, or seek support, I guess they are just too tired to listen, too busy, sick of it, don't care, but they shouldn't insult me. They could just ignore it or admit they can't handle it.

Sorry, people are mean, the world is mean and dealing with a family that's ashamed of bipolar, who don't want to believe it's true, and are afraid, there's not much I can do. Enough of that.

I'm here to talk about maintaining mental health with bipolar. Bipolar is a difficult illness to have, usually lifelong, with a high percentage rate for suicide. I always recommend seeking out spirituality and a higher power or God. Prayer is proven to be effective in relieving stress!

I am recognizing that bipolar is a full time job to maintain, 24/7. My moods go up and down but the most challenging things are stress, family, and living situation.

Stress makes everything worse including migranes. Stress can kill causing heart attacks, and it makes bipolar worse. If severe, stress can make a bipolar person paranoid and frightened and feel unsafe.

Family, if they treat you bad, or neglect you, or just don't care or don't want to help, well....I know it's not one sided. I am aware that it could be for some, quite a challenge they are not up for. So, I try to accept the fact that most of my family doesn't want to be reminded or bothered even if I'm asking for support, sometimes they attack and insult me, to be mean or lack of good communication.

I never can understand purposely hurting someone though as the human condition is, I must remind myself that we all fall short.

That being said, living alone has been the only option I've had for the past five years and it has been the cause of multiple needs to go to a respite for 3-5 days because I cannot suffer extreme depression and personal attacks alone.

I'm trying very hard to maintain my happiness. I read all the self help books, go to extensive therapy, and I might be bold enough to say I feel sorry for those who are too weak to get help.