Bipolar episodes & some questions

[Ami]

*how long do peoples depressions and highs last?
*what coping methods have people found helps?
*what medication do you feel helps?
*do you ever feel "normal"?
*How do you distingush from reality and imaginary?

I have lots of questions id like answered and Im curious about other peoples moods and such

thanks for any help

[Starburst]

*how long do peoples deprepressions and highs last? My depressive episodes can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. With hypomania, it tends to be a lot shorter - a week at the most.
*what coping methods have people found helps? Talking to my therapist and being honest with people about the early warning signs and taking my medication regularly.
*what medication do you feel helps? Fluoxetine (60 mg) helped me for a short while and depakote (1500 mg) really was great but the side-effects were too awful. So far, lamotrigine has been working out quite well for me.
*do you ever feel "normal"? Yes, I have periods of normality and that's very common with bipolar disorder.
*Hhow do you distingush from reality and imaginary? Hmm not really sure how to answer that one. Sorry. I hope someone else can help you.

[Ami]

Thankyou. what dose of lamotrigine are you on? It doesnt seem to be working much at the minute
xx

[kijam76]

*how long do peoples depressions and highs last? the depression lasts a couple months to i think the shortest was a week ( for me at least)... the mania tends to last around a week

*what coping methods have people found helps?
Talking with people, reading a book, studying something really hard (keeps my focus on something else), hang out with some friends, just lay down on the grass or somewhere comfortable and stare at the clouds go by in the sky...

*what medication do you feel helps?
Im on lamotragine (100mg), and I was on sertraline i found that helped but I had some pretty bad headaches with it, so now Im currently on Wellbutrin (200mg), dunno if its doing anything tho (but its pretty recent so i guess i have to give it some time)

*do you ever feel "normal"?
Yup, and I love it when I feel that way! :) [no matter how short/long it lasts]

*How do you distingush from reality and imaginary?
Umm... that can get pretty difficult/tricky, i found that if I just can stop myself for just a minute and take a deep breath, close my eyes and then open them and look around and think for a bit and put everything together I get a grip (well at least a bit)...

[Starburst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strawberry-Gashes

Thankyou. what dose of lamotrigine are you on? It doesnt seem to be working much at the minute
xx

150 mg - you?

[Ami]

same and abilify 15mg and zopliclone for sleep xx

[hammy]

hi
I just got out of hospital this morning.
They have me on 400mg lamotragine
800mg quetiapine
400mg lithium
5mg promazine
2mg lorazepam x3 (short term for anxiety)
15mg zopiclone (short term for sleeping)
4mg haloperidol (due to be stopped after a month)

all that medication doesnt include asthma steroid pills, contraception pills, iron suplements for anemia.

oh well
Just felt like sharing
x

[Ami]

hey hammy

how long do your moods last?
how was hospital?
hope you okay xx

[Starburst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strawberry-Gashes

same and abilify 15mg and zopliclone for sleep xx

What is ablify for? I'm also on zopiclone 7.5mg for sleep and citalopram 20mg and lorazepam 3mg PRN. I was taking risperidone but I had bad side effects. I'm feeling bad again like I need something else but waiting for a psych appt. Sorry to hijack your thread hon.

x

[Ami]

its alright. abilify is an antipsychotic. not actually sure why im on it to be honest, but it helps a bit .. x