My therapist taught me to watch for side effects, any symptoms of Manic-Depression, and to keep track of my mood swings to help me with my illness. By doing this, I can keep my therapist and doctor informed. Taking my medication on time is very important. By keeping track of side effects, symptoms, and mood swings, my therapist and doctor can read what has been going on. I am the only person who knows what I am feeling or if I am having a side effect from the drugs that need to be reported to them.

I know by doing this, it will help me to watch for any problems with my medication or symptoms that are getting too hard for me to handle. By doing this, I will be learning how to manage my Manic-Depression Disorder. This will make me feel good inside, because that will make me an important person in my treatment

I know that doing things I love to do such as going to the movies, taking a walk, and having lunch with a good friend helps me to keep busy and enjoy myself. My hobby is stamping notebooks with different pictures and colors. Writing in my journal every night and for Mental Health World helps me to get my feelings down on paper. Doing hobbies and crafts keeps me busy.

Please remember to follow the treatment plan that your therapist or doctor has made out for you because it is important for your mental health. Keep taking your medicine: that will help keep you stable so your symptoms stay under control and keep yourself busy by doing whatever you love to do.

***********************

I was in the hospital near the end of May 1999 and got out on May 27^th. The reason why I was put in the hospital was because I had a suicidal plan and I had burned my arm with a cigarette. I went in the hospital voluntarily. I didn’t want to go because I was scared and I thought in my own mind that I could deal with this on my own. I was wrong about that. I do give a lot of thanks to my case manager for being with me while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. I did realize afterwards that when I arrived at the hospital I needed help. I was there for seven days and got the help I needed.

My Manic-Depression is controlled with medication and therapy. I also have Borderline Personality Disorder which is so hard to deal with. I seek negative attention instead of positive attention which only hurts me in the long run. When I push people who care about me and those I care about away from me, I feel angry and frustrated inside. This is something I need to work on with my case manager. I know it’s going to be hard work to change my behavior and that it will not happen overnight.

*******************

I have learned how to cope and deal with symptoms of Manic-Depression pretty well, even though I will continually be dealing with the ups and downs of my illness which can be rough sometimes. The hardest part that I am dealing with is the obsessive compulsive behavior of calling people too much on the telephone. When I feel anxious that someone may be mad at me or I haven’t heard from them in a while, the anxiety sets in and the phone calls start.

When I make one call, I start to feel guilty for doing it. I call again to say I am sorry. That is when it keeps happening over and over again. Then the person does get mad at me. I have discussed this with my case manager and she gave me a good suggestion on how to keep the phone calls under control. When I feel the urge to pick up the phone and start feeling impulsive, I should sit and write my feelings down on paper and the reasons why I need to make the phone call. I am going to start doing that, and using other tools I have learned to help me work at keeping this behavior under control.

I am doing the best that I can by taking it one day at a time and limiting the stressors in my life so I don’t get overwhelmed. This is coming from my heart to yours. I know for myself that I am the only person who can make me happy, nobody else can, and it’s the truth. I have my good days and bad days, but I use my coping skills. When I feel overwhelmed and stressed out, I know that my therapist and case manager are there for me, along with others who care about me, too. Please remember to be good to yourself and do what makes you happy. Love yourself always.