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Bipolar Disorder Support Group

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Group created by arwenEvenstar

A safe refuge for those suffering with bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses. A place for support and education for bipolars, loved ones of bipolars or anyone wanting information regarding the illness. Please be sensitive. This is not a place for controversy or insensitive debate.


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  1. RileyG
    Dec 20, '12 9:10 am
    RileyG
    Hi!
    I've been diagnosed since 2010 with Panic Attacks/Unipolar depression, and by the grace of God I've been doing soooo much better, but I tend to worry about the smallest things which leads to be having a lot of anxiety. Please pray for me,
    God Bless +
  2. AlanFromWichita
    Oct 10, '12 9:49 am
    AlanFromWichita
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by dsully View Post
    Do you think I would receive some relief from these things after making a first confession to a priest?
    I don't know but it sounds like a good idea to me!

    Alan
    Thread: Accusations
  3. AlanFromWichita
    Oct 10, '12 4:32 am
    AlanFromWichita
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ashley1996 View Post
    Hi. I've been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and OCD for about 3 years now. Sometimes I'm happy about it, and other times I'm not. But, clearly that isn't the point. Every now and then, mostly every time I'm alone (and sometimes in front of people), I play-act or roleplay certain events in my life that happened, or didn't happen. Sometimes they're things I wished happened, wanted to happen, and wished didn't happen. Is this normal? Most of my family members think it isn't, though. Or is this part of Bipolar Disorder? If it is, can it be treated? Because I do this all the time, and it mostly involves people I know and heard of. I'm so sorry, but is there any way that I can stop this? It gets annoying sometimes when people hear me talking to myself at home. Please help me..
    There are several reasons I catch myself play-acting. I normally don't talk out loud, though, and I spend a lot of time alone so I can get my thoughts together so I don't have the problem of people hassling me about talking to myself. In fact, in my house we have a lot of music so we sometimes break out in song, either with me playing the piano or someone just feeling like letting go. This can happen many times a day.

    I do it to practice hearing what I might sound like when I tell somebody something I need to tell them. For example, if I have to tell somebody I'm not going to accept an invitation, I might "try out" saying it so that I don't get lost while I'm explaining it. Another thing, is that if you verbalize either in your head or with your mouth movements or actually out loud, it can help you focus on what you're saying and fight off some of the millions of thoughts that are racing all around my mind competing for attention. I also do it to try saying things I don't dare actually say, just to see what it feels like. Such as, "Are you always that stupid?" I have other reasons, and it's beyond me why someone would have a problem with you doing it -- unless you were annoying to them like by interfering with their TV show -- because it doesn't say anything wrong about your own mental health that you do it.

    In fact, I challenge them to say they don't ever dream, or imagine conversations that may or may not ever take place.

    Play-acting, under the term "psychodrama," used to be an important tool in mental hospitals; I'm not sure if they're still doing it. My first hospitalization for BP was in Christ hospital in 1983, where we had to do psychodrama. It is pretty powerful. It's like group play-acting on steroids.

    In psychodrama, we would all sit around in a circle; there were about 15 of us. Then one person volunteers to tell a story about his past, that they need to think about. Then one or more other patients would volunteer to play other roles in the story. Then they start having a mock conversation, and now we get full audience participation. The rest of us 15 or so still in the circle, would watch the "play" and if we had anything we thought one of the characters might say, we'd get out of the chair, put our hand on the shoulder of one of the "actors," and say the line.

    Like I said it can get pretty powerful. I actually freaked out a guy and he ran from the room -- and I went after him and helped him calm down. He had a bad childhood, and wanted to set up a conversation like one he had with his father about his goals in life. He told us a little about it, and about his brother and what was going on. One person volunteered to be his dad, so he and his "dad" started the conversation. At one point, right after he said something, I suddenly jumped up and put my hand on "dad's" shoulder and said, "yes, but how come .... " and I forgot the exact words, but essentially I gave "dad" a line that cut him right to the heart, about how his dad preferred his brother over him. So yeah, he went running out of the room and I followed him. He told me that when I said that, all of a sudden he felt like he was actually back with his dad and his dad was scolding him.

    My second and last hospitalization was in 2001, and in a different state, and they didn't do it. Wonder why not?

    And don't let the thought police cause you any anxiety. If you're honestly too loud for the others around you, either learn to do it quieter or find a more private place. Beyond that, you don't owe them any explanation for anything that isn't hurting you or them, unless your doctor tells you it is a symptom that must be controlled. Just because they think everybody thinks alike, doesn't mean they do. They don't understand your illness, so they look at anything you do that they don't do as aberrant and therefore odd.

    Alan
  4. dot627
    Oct 9, '12 5:19 pm
    dot627
    alan...i just wrote this long, long reply and somehow wasn't logged in and lost it!

    i so so appreciate your compassion and explanations of both yourself and your friend. it is sooo helpful. Thank God that you are still alive!!! those are the times that we know that God is there and on the scene. obviously, He lives in us, but knowing and feeling Him is a different thing.

    i am sick with bronchitis right now, but promise to rewrite my reply that i lost, but know in the meantime, that you helped me more than you can possibly know. i thank you from the bottom of my heart. dot
  5. Peanut7949
    Aug 15, '12 11:02 am
    Peanut7949
    We have to be careful with the "voices.." I actually imagine it as you're surrounded by people and we all are thinking... so you gotta make sure you're making the right decisions, not all the stuff you hear. I don't think that's only with schizophrenia though.. the better I eat organic food the better off I am at piloting. I find it best if you forget about knowing who's funnest and what not and figure out who is making it, faithful, and a good role model. Then you can aim better! Also, cod liver fish oil has done me well- organic stores!

    PS I know what you mean about if the stuff you hear/translate from voices comes true or not. I don't know. Names pop up for me Sometimes God cues you in on who to pray for... I'm behind !! But better late than never for that.. I have faith that the holy spirit helps us communicate in the silence which is a good thing. You just need a balance... Eat more organic food and wild fish. Avoid white flour and sugar alltogether... there are better alternatives such as palm sugar if you NEED. Any questions?
  6. Peanut7949
    Aug 15, '12 10:57 am
    Peanut7949
    The doctors said I almost entered into bipolarness, but I caught the real root of the problem in time. Hypothyroidism. I suggest Dr. Brownstein's book about Curing Thyroid Disorders. Bipolar is one of them-- and his stuff is simple to read. Fill in some of your void time with him Add me if you want to learn more and we'll keep in touch. I know what you mean about stuff people don't read... feels like work done without credit!! But going to the chiropractor who specializes in endocrine function really got me thinking straighter and being a better influence all around. What has worked for you? A genuine and faithful boss has helped me to balance when I scoot into the mixed state... some of it is prayer and understanding I shouldn't and don't have to please everyone, personally... what sets you off and what gets you back on track?
    Thread: Mixed State?
  7. donsnow
    Oct 23, '11 3:17 am
    donsnow
    Good morning, Shawn,

    I didn't know that. I guess I have a scrupulous conscience.

    You probably haven't seen my earlier posts. I was invited to this thread, although I'm not bi-polar: I have Major Depression Recurring for a diagnosis as well as Post Trauma Syndrome.

    So, thanks for correcting me.

    God loves you,
    Don
  8. donsnow
    Oct 14, '11 3:18 am
    donsnow
    Good morning, Ashley,

    Sometimes, when i can't stop them, I can let them just go on by. My therapist taught me that.
    Now, there's less intrusive thoughts.

    God loves you,
    Don
  9. donsnow
    Sep 24, '11 10:50 am
    donsnow
    Good afternoon, Emaher,

    Although I'm not bi-polar, I just dropped in to comment, maybe you could ask your doctor those questions.

    God loves you,
    Don
  10. AAArose
    Aug 20, '11 12:41 pm
    AAArose
    thanks for getting back to me. Its been helpful thanks. I'm very busy this school year and will hardly have time to write much. good to know there is so much support out there when I need it. I'm not good with following forums or navigating the internet.

Group Wall Messages 101 to 110 of 248
  1. arwenEvenstar
    Nov 1, '09 4:20 am
    arwenEvenstar
    Sorry folks!, Didn't realize my inbox was full. All cleaned out now so please send away. Also, just wanted to invite anyone to email me should that happen again. I'm one of those people who tend to "hold on" to messages. 10 being the limit makes it difficult to up keep, but i will be more vigilant.
  2. kimberly923200
    Oct 31, '09 2:59 pm
    kimberly923200
    JMJ

    Don,

    I am amazed and vey happy that you are still with us! it's a MIRCALE that those pills had not been absorbed into you system. Thank you for sharing your story with us. We embrace you.

    Thank you for including us in your prayers! You are in ours as well. I'm going to check out your Jerusalem story right now on "MIsfits."

    Hello and Welcome!

    Blessings,
    Kimberly
  3. donsnow
    Oct 31, '09 2:55 pm
    donsnow
    Hi, All -

    Have been reading pages 15 -9 in reverse order of pages and posts.
    Arwen and Kimberly, each of you have an awesome beauty in your writing.
    Musician, I also have PTSD. Didn't even know I had it, until I went to the VA for my primary medical provider. Without them....I'd still be one of God's wandering children clinging to the cross alone.
    I use my imagination, when stressed by turbulent emotions, to picture the apostles in the boat on lake Gailee during the storm. Then, I picture Jesus walking through the stormy waves and getting in the tossing boat. Then, I picture Jesus calming the storm and the waves lessen and the boat's on smooth water. Maybe this exercise can help you. It usually helps me.

    Later tomorrow I will read some more, backwards.
    I have only the one landline, so I need to go off-line to receive phone calls.

    God loves all of you,
    Don
  4. donsnow
    Oct 31, '09 2:09 pm
    donsnow
    Arwen,

    I'll respond to your PM as soon as you make room for responses in your PM file. Grin.

    God loves you,
    Don
  5. Curious
    Oct 31, '09 1:10 pm
    Curious
    Hey Arwen, clean out your private message box so I can respond to you.
  6. donsnow
    Oct 31, '09 11:23 am
    donsnow
    Hello, Arwen and all -

    Although I have not been diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder I have had to accept the diagnoses the VA doctors added to a private doctor's diagnosis of Major Depression Recurring. I had ran a personal and private review of the times I had been depressed, what depressed me and how long I stayed depressed each time. At the time of this review I was 47 year old and in a mental hospital because of a strange suicidal thought. Anyway, my review revealed I had been depressed, off and on, for a 1/4 of my life.
    Eight years of continual depression, from Feb of '70 to Feb of '78 I had fought suicidal thoughts and urges that I recongized as my own, without professional help. In '77 I went to a doctor for my know issues and he put me on medication. Later, I took myself off of it. The result was in Feb of '78 I felt I was not needed and attempted suicide.
    I knew Belladona was the poison Socrates used to off himself. So, I went to a drug store and browsed the over the counter medications, until I found one with belladona in it. I bought several packages and went home and took all the pills.
    I gradually became very anxious and started pacing and the intense anxiety eased. I sat down, and got real jittery again. This went on, until I walked across the street to the Osteopathic Hosp. ER, after first teleponing and reporting my condition. When I walked into the ER, a nurse was hanging up a red telephone marked CDC POISON CONTROL, muttering, "That would do it."
    They sent me to Admissions. Admissions gave me paperwork to fill out. I started it, got intensely jittery and went home. Felt really worse, went back to Admissions and finished the paperwork. Then, I went to ER and was put on a guerney in a screened off area. Back in '75 I had been assigned that hospital as a post by my then employer, Pinkerton Security. Some of the people I knew from then were on duty that February night in '78.
    The doctor came in, examined me, and told me it had been too long since I took the poison, to pump my stomach. He left a nurse watching over me and went his way.
    There I lay on the guerny, my heart pounding my ribs like a humming bird in a cage; I watched my arms and legs randomly flopping, as the poison seeped into my system. A nurse peeked in, took my vitals, and froze. Then, she pursed her lips, softly turned away, and tiptoed out. My prior expereinces working with staff in the ER as a guard, told me I was going to die.
    I was filled with a great remorse, not that I was going to die, but for having taken the gift of life freely given by God, and throwing it back in His face. That's what I was so sorry for.
    I started praying a prayer I had crafted for when I had gotten myself into a mess: "Even in these straits, I give thanks to the Living God, that His son come in the flesh, Jesus Christ, is my Saviour."
    I watched myself die and the nurse tiptoed back in. I knew that now there were three of us in that secluded area, counting the
    Angel of Death. Then, I said, "I'm thirsty."
    The nurse came alive, "You're thirsty? Wait."
    She came back with one of those tiny paper cups with a pink fluid in it. "Here", she said, "Take this."
    I did and became nauseous on top of everything else. Then, my mind (or my guradian angel, hard to tell which in that condition) and I asked the nurse, "Is this a regurgitant?"
    She said, "Yes."
    I replied, "It's not working...here, I'll help."
    (When I was in the 'Corps, I had been engaged to a student nurse for two years, '62 - '64 and had learned a lot from her.)
    put my index and second fingers down my throat and pressed. The physical manipulation intitiated my gag reflex and my stomach emptied into the pan held by the nurse.
    I could see little bits and pieces of the pills.
    How were they there?
    About a half hour later, I walked out of the ER.

    I'm sharing this to:
    Encourage all of you to stay on your medications.
    And to discourage you from giving in to suicidal thoughts or feelings..
    I hope this post succeeds at those two goals.

    Yall can check CAF Misfits to see a brief history of my faith pilgrimage. There haven't been that many posts since I entered it. And, of course, you're free to check out my profile.

    This is the corrected version as to why I was in a mental hospital in 1990.
    I have read the first page of posts in this group and aim to read the rest later. I have added all of you to my daily prayers. I thank you for your prayers, as we get to know each other.
    I'm glad ya'll are here.

    God loves all of you,
    Don
  7. arwenEvenstar
    Oct 30, '09 2:15 am
    arwenEvenstar
    ADH,
    That's so wonderful you realized that....you inspired me to remember an old boss who did fire me probably due to manic induced behavior. Your testimony caused me to rethink that situation as well. Thank you. It is freeing and healing to admit to oneself such things. God bless you for your humility.
  8. kimberly923200
    Oct 29, '09 11:26 pm
    kimberly923200
    JMJ

    Way to go, ADH! Your humility is beautiful.

    Blessings,
    Kimberly
  9. ADH
    Oct 29, '09 11:31 am
    ADH
    I was sending out my resume to a bunch of places today and I happen to remember an old job where I almost got fired. I remember my supervisor like it was yesterday and for years i could not forgive her. Well today i saw it from a different angle and she is the one who needs to forgive me. May God give her the grace to do so. Forgiveness and the willingness to face the truth is so healing.
  10. kimberly923200
    Oct 28, '09 11:18 am
    kimberly923200
    JMJ

    Hey, All, I found the other mental illness group. It's called "St. Dymphna, Pray For us." Here is its address if anyone is interested:

    http://forums.catholic.com/group.php?groupid=148



   

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