Bipolar 2 and newly diagnosed adhd. Need help.

[Muffin12]

Hi. Bipolar 2 for many years with treatment resistant depression. Recently diagnosed with adhd and on medication. 

Too sick to work. Last worked 2 years ago. See psychiatrist and psychologist. 

On multiple meds.

Really struggling at the moment. Was improving and feeling encouraged by that but past few days feeling depressed again.

Have done things to help eg exercise, outside time, breathing exercises, reaching out for support, increased meds, rest.

Feels really disappointing. Some friends who are usually a good support are not answering my texts or are unwell themselves. I'm really upset with them even though that's unfair.

I really struggling with getting things done around the house. Just want to lie about and watch TV. Feeling bad about that.

Does anyone else feel like this? Do you feel like it's hard to get help as psychiatrist and psychologist don't have any appointments soon? Just try everything and still not better?

Let down by friends/ support people?

[Ru-bee]

Hi @Muffin12 

I just wanted to quickly stop by and welcome you to the forums!

It can feel so disheartening when you've put in the work and have seen improvements, only to feel like you've lost some of that ground you made, but this is a normal (and frustrating) part of progress, and doesn't erase all the work you've done.

It sounds as though you've worked hard to see some positive changes recently, and that you've got a support network that is normally pretty good. It's great that you've been able to reach out here to add another source of support too!

[Muffin12]

@Ru-bee @It is so disheartening. You're absolutely right

It does feel like it's all unravelling but I guess overall it isn't. 

It's like 2 steps forward and 1 step back. Or more. 

Is it normal to feel like I'm not getting anywhere when I actually am making some progress?

It just seems to be taking so long. 

This episode has been particularly bad and lasting months. 

They keep saying it will get better. But it feels like it's taking forever.

[Ru-bee]

Yeah sometimes it can be so hard to see the progress @Muffin12 but if we were able to step back and see where we started it might become a little clearer.

There's always going to be good and bad days, but gradually maybe the bad days will feel a little less bad, or we might find that we're able to pull ourselves out of the bad days a little more easily, maybe we'll do things like reach out when we wouldn't have previously...

2 steps forward and one step back is still one step further than where you started! Even 1 and a half steps back is overall progress.

[Muffin12]

@Ru-bee thanks for that. The illustrations are very helpful. 

Is part of having the illness is that it never completely goes away and we have days where we still have symptoms even though we are on treatment?

I think i was under the impression that if I was getting the right treatment I wouldn't suffer from the illness any more. They keep saying it's treatable and I keep thinking that means I'll be completely better.

And others seem to think if I just get the right treatment and do the right things I'll be all good. 

Seems to me that the medication and non medical treatments are just keeping things from getting worse and help a bit but that I'm going to have daily symptoms. 

Is that right?

[Salzburg]

It is especially hard today because there are almost no mental  health support services available like there used to be. When i was unwell I found it so hard to cope every single day. 

I am much better now, so please take heart and know that there will be brighter days ahead. 

[tyme]

Do you use SANE's Guided Recovery @Salzburg ? https://www.sane.org/referral

[Muffin12]

@tyme just joined it yesterday 

[Salzburg]

I have just joined and am still finding my way. 

[tyme]

You'll get a call between 24-48 hours @Salzburg @Muffin12 ,

It's a start - at least it's something while you wait for other supports. 

In the meantime we are happy to stay connected with you here on the forums.