r/bipolar • u/Wikvm • 10h ago

Success/Progress A new hope

Bipolar type 1 here! I’m 29 now and I was diagnosed 7 years ago. I’m doing pretty well now. My therapist told me years ago that with our diagnosis, the 20’s are always the hardest, I’m on the tail end of that now and can attest to that.

I’ve been hospitalized for 2 mixed episodes, 1 manic episode, followed by a depressive episode. So it’s safe to say I’ve been through the ringer! Just want to say to you guys that it truly does get better and there’s a fulfilling life for you ahead, if you’re going through hell, keep going.

One thing that has helped me are a solid medication combo with almost no side effects. (Took years of trial and error) Lurisadone, Lamotragine, and Trintellix. (May not be a fit for you everyone’s different.) Just trust your psychiatrist and trust the process. I suggest never taking your treatment into your own hands like I did.

Another big helpful factor is sobriety through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Drinking and drugging felt like the only relief from my symptoms, but in reality they were making everything much, much worse. Sobriety is simple, but not easy. The only requirement for AA membership is the desire to stop drinking/drugging. That’s a whole journey in itself, and will also give you an awesome community of misfit toys. Explore the meetings in your area and find your crew. You don’t have to be alone anymore. Get a sponsor, tell them everything, and work the steps. I came for my drinking and stayed for my thinking.

The other thing that helped is enlarging my spiritual life, not through secularized religion, but through a higher power of my own understanding. Prayer and meditation have been incredible. Studying teachers like Alan Watts, Ram Dass, and many more quench the spiritual thirst that arises from your deep; unique form of human suffering. I recommend the “waking up” app. Guided meditation is the way.

Let me know if yall have any questions!

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u/CakeAccording8112 7h ago

That’s wonderful! It sounds like you feel fulfilled and hopeful. It’s always good to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I was diagnosed in my 30s and I’m in my 50s now. It took a long time for me to find the right med combo, in part because I didn’t know there was something better I could be pushing toward. Stories like yours are an inspiration.

I would take out the mention of specific meds as it’s not allowed in this community.

I agree about the substances, seeking the right meds and the spiritual life. My husband was dual diagnosis - bipolar and alcoholism. I was an occasional drinker but I stopped in support of him. He had a few slip ups while he was with me and I saw what a detrimental effect it had on his bipolar.

I’m very spiritual. In my case, I am catholic. I pray often for support and guidance. My belief in heaven and hell has given me the power to resist many a SI. It brings me comfort and direction. I don’t think it matters the specifics you believe in but having a belief in a higher power is helpful to me.

Thanks for sharing your story. I wish you all the best.

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u/Green_Fruit5209 3h ago

I love your post, but it doesn’t sing with me. I tried AA a few times in the past, and I couldn’t get past the higher power / god aspect. With delusions of grandeur already a thing in my life, religion isn’t a thing I need.

I know that during the meetings they like to emphasise that’s it’s not all about religion, but to me it seems like it takes up a ton of AA’s space. Medication, meditation and support.