[charliee]

Hey Guys,

Just pondering and I thought I would make a thread that may interest a few of us!

Well, it all begins with my dad; he was bipolar and was often manic during his 'happy streaks'. While he was manic, he would come up with heaps of exciting projects over a short amount of time, and try to finish them all at once, which would lead to him becoming overwhelmed and his ventures fruitless. Then becoming depressive again afterwards; he would lose interest/motivation and become a pessimist.

I now have a slight feeling that I may also be bipolar, or at least developing it. I see a lot of my fathers old manic mannerisms in myself, which is pretty scary. Also my best mates father is bipolar, and he believes he may be too. I also noticed signs of this prior to him telling me.

So what about you: Are you bipolar/think you may be? Do you know someone who is? Any success stories? How do you slow down when mania consumes you?

All the best!

[eternalsunshine]

take a lexapro.

[Aletheides]

Sounds like natural human behavior to me. As long as you're aware, you're good.

[GuyBBY]

Most of the time it is the normal ebbs and flows of emotion, motivation and endorphins/serotonin that get you moving. Then you have inflated ideas or expectations so when something doesn't go your way, it is a long hard fall.

Plan things out incrementally, with realistic timelines and goals, therefore your baby steps will turn into big leaps when you look back on the journey to your success.

Guy

[tazman9r]

Sounds like they cumulatively have this one covered. The only thing I would ad is to write out benchmarks of success for your projects, and then check them off as you go. This will help you through the depressive times and motivate you further through the up manic times. Also, I would choose projects that do not require the pressure of a time restriction. This will allow you to work on it or not as you please.

[rejoice]

one step at a time... engrose yourself in something you love when you lose motivation... even if it has nothing to do with your projects

[warrensway]

Yeah you need to just make sure you keep it under control

[charliee]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Recently, I have been developing a website with one of my friends, and I have been focused on defining smaller goals, and the strategies I will use to achieve them, which will accumulate and allow me to reach the larger goals I have in mind.

I am trying to get my buddy on to the whole idea of strategic planning, and he is slowly coming along. I think I would benefit from a large white board where I could write out each goal and the strategies I will use below that specific goal. I want to be able to constantly remind myself where I am headed so I don't get overwhelmed and pessimistic.

[charliee]

Oh and rejoice, that sounds like great advice. I will keep that in mind!

[rejoice]

Originally Posted by charliee

Oh and rejoice, that sounds like great advice. I will keep that in mind!

make sure you do... trust me... it keeps your head out off the gutter and allows you to focus on something other than how bad you feel... you're actually focusing on something that excites you... then that can be transferred back to your projects... for me it's art in photography form and t-shirt design that really makes me feel alive... especially being out and about taking photos at a concert or at a modeling contest and having media access... the feeling is euphoric and i'm sure it has something to do with all the hot looking birds and the flirting going on... but even when i'm not in that situation and am designing a tee in the comfort off my own home... my mind is preoccupied and simply can't focus on the fabricated crap that gets you down at times

[veronicagoldy]

Believing that you can cope with your mood disorder is both accurate and essential to recovery. Learn all you can about this disorder. This allows you to make informed decisions about all aspects of your life and treatment.