Official Mental Health Thread

[WWWP]

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I've been inspired and motivated by them, made moves to improve my situation, and then a few days later the feeling was gone and I felt like I did before it happened, maybe with life improvements, but now the realization that it was all a chemical illusion rather than meaningful personal change demoralized me more than if it had never happened.

Manic episodes don't solve your problems. I guess self-discipline when you're not manic is the only thing that's going to help. But by all means keep chasing that dragon until you're stripped of whatever hope you have left. I'll be here at the bottom to give you a fist bump.

But I think what you're missing is that it's the depression that's actually the chemical illusion. And tbh all active personal change is meaningful. Finding a way to live with bipolar is not about trying to eliminate the ups and downs, the medications are meant for dulling those extremes, it's about figuring out how to set yourself up for success and expecting the mood fluctuations. It's possible to use it to your advantage, but it takes a lot of work and honesty with yourself.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by WWWP

But I think what you're missing is that it's the depression that's actually the chemical illusion. And tbh all active personal change is meaningful. Finding a way to live with bipolar is not about trying to eliminate the ups and downs, the medications are meant for dulling those extremes, it's about figuring out how to set yourself up for success and expecting the mood fluctuations. It's possible to use it to your advantage, but it takes a lot of work and honesty with yourself.

Yeah totally. I'm not saying that the depressive lows are what you should strive for, but the highs can be destructive in many ways if you're trying to build your life around when they excite you.

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by WWWP

honesty with yourself

When people say that I almost always think it’s code for you should think I think you should think. I find it nefarious and manipulative.

However, I’m NOT saying you’re using it like that.

Pretty much everything in life (or at least my life) is so complicated there’s no truth to accept. Take for instance in my case therapy and my meds. Right now I’m not taking my meds. Should I be? If I’m honest with myself I honestly don’t know. Am I being honest with myself when I convince myself it’s best to carry on for another day? I honestly sincerely don’t know. The most honest conclusion I can usually come up with is I don’t even know what honesty is except in the most pedestrian sense.

I’m not even trying to be a hard ass. It’s a concept that comes up a lot and I really struggle with it. Honestly.

[WWWP]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

When people say that I almost always think it’s code for you should think I think you should think. I find it nefarious and manipulative.

However, I’m NOT saying you’re using it like that.

Pretty much everything in life (or at least my life) is so complicated there’s no truth to accept. Take for instance in my case therapy and my meds. Right now I’m not taking my meds. Should I be? If I’m honest with myself I honestly don’t know. Am I being honest with myself when I convince myself it’s best to carry on for another day? I honestly sincerely don’t know. The most honest conclusion I can usually come up with is I don’t even know what honesty is except in the most pedestrian sense.

I’m not even trying to be a hard ass. It’s a concept that comes up a lot and I really struggle with it. Honestly.

I hear you. I am meaning more in terms of how *I* am trying to be more honest with myself. For example, asking myself "what does this behavior/choice/action serve, me or my depression?" Trying to get to the root of things, but also being gentle with myself when confronting the ways that I suck or have failed myself or whatever. Only you know whether you're being real to yourself.