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Could you say a bit more about "Cyclothemia bipolar 2?" I have worked with many individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder, but am finding your OP too vague to really comment....
Sure. I am a bipolar 2, but I am functioning good most of the times. I moved from Iran to USA as a student and now I am working temporarily. Since, this Travel ban, and some other problems, I have shown more manic episodes and depressive episodes. I went to a doctor and asked them to tell me if I have bi polar. I have read some books beforehand and realized I have the symptoms. They agreed with me and told me to take medication. I did, and I felt better and then get worst.
My medication didn't respond well, and now I am reducing it and change it to Depakote.
But the transition process makes me more depressed, I cry in my workplace, then I am so happy.
This morning I had too much anxiety and I told my boss what my condition is.
Now, I feel better.
But sometimes I am sad, for no reason. I always was. I wonder why I never asked for help.
I am scared I will lose my job and my chance for a better life in USA. besides, Trump's travel ban and his problem with immigrant and Muslims, I also am away from my family, can't visit them, and also struggling with this issue alone. I need more support.
Sure. I am a bipolar 2, but I am functioning good most of the times. I moved from Iran to USA as a student and now I am working temporarily. Since, this Travel ban, and some other problems, I have shown more manic episodes and depressive episodes. I went to a doctor and asked them to tell me if I have bi polar. I have read some books beforehand and realized I have the symptoms. They agreed with me and told me to take medication. I did, and I felt better and then get worst.
My medication didn't respond well, and now I am reducing it and change it to Depakote.
But the transition process makes me more depressed, I cry in my workplace, then I am so happy.
This morning I had too much anxiety and I told my boss what my condition is.
Now, I feel better.
But sometimes I am sad, for no reason. I always was. I wonder why I never asked for help.
I am scared I will lose my job and my chance for a better life in USA. besides, Trump's travel ban and his problem with immigrant and Muslims, I also am away from my family, can't visit them, and also struggling with this issue alone. I need more support.
So you are here on a student visa? Green Card?
Keep trying different meds and maybe ask your doctor for a support group.
My first question is are you seeing a board certified psychiatrist for medication or a family doctor? Your post doesn't spell out your symptoms so I'll just say a few things. Cyclothymia and Bipolar type II are 2 different diagnoses and require different treatment. You must avoid self-diagnosis and leave it to a trained mental health professional. Medication is only part of the solution, it is not a cure. And medication is not magical, and it doesn't promote change overnight. But if you are prescribed medication, you must faithfully take it, don't start and stop medication and give it time to work. If you're constantly telling your doctor the meds aren't working, you'll end up being tried on many different meds which will NOT be helpful. Reading between the lines, you've already eluded to other major issues in your life that need to be addressed: social & family isolation, and cultural issues being from Iraq and living in a country that has become Muslim-phobic. Social and cultural support are very important to a sense of well being. You said you were a student and working part-time: do you have specific goals in mind? Do you have achievable goals for your future career? This is also very important for a sense of well being. Many people with Bipolar live perfectly functional lives, have relationships, enjoy satisfying careers, etc. But many people focus on having a "diagnosis" of mental illness and chase a solution through medication, therapy and forget about all the other aspects of wellness. You may want to start journaling about what you want to do with your life and start taking action steps to achieve your goals, but they must be achievable and realistic goals. Don't maintain yourself in a sick role or a sense of helplessness. If you immigrated from Iraq, you have strength, use it and don't fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself because you have issues with your mood, you can overcome that but it takes hard work, persistence, a positive attitude, social connectedness, cultural support, life goals, exercise, spirituality and self-reliance. It may also require compliance with treatment, whether that be medication and/or talk therapy. It's a decision how we live our lives, including learning how to deal with our "ups and downs", everyone has them, it's a matter of degree. Don't leave your life up to chance, or something or someone else, it must come from within you to strive for a balanced life with as many components of support as mentioned above as possible. You can do it! One step at a time, maybe baby steps. Put one foot in front of the other and move forward. You are much more than a diagnosis of Bipolar II.
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