Cathyl, you´re not alone.
When I got my diagnosis I got truly mad. I even told my shrink to take a walk in a cemetary, because his diagnosis of being normal obviously referred to the living deads! Of course this phrase was used to further boost my bipolar diagnosis, but I somehow got over it. I´m sure you will too. Now I am proud of myself for having struggled with this disease for so long and I accept it´s a life long process that demands my fullest respect.
I know it´s difficult with the meds, but you´ll find the right formula that doesn´t make you gain weight. Drink a lot of green tea, every day - it rinses the system, speeds up metabolism and cuts appetite. I use to be on meds that made me gain 5 kilos (about 10 pounds) so I switch on different ones and I lost weight fast and am now happy with it.
We Bi-polar persons tend to make a mountain out of a molehill. I started cognitif therapy to work on my langage and thoughts. It means using my reason to guide me more than my feelings. The mind is powerful and one thought leads to a feeling that leads to another thoughts. The trick is to stop it before it gets too destructive, so check your thoughts. Try using words as: "I would like to," instead of "I have to!" which stresses you up.
Exercises are great, I think and vents a lot of negative feelings.
I know this diagnosis is followed by grief, so come here and post and vent your feelings - instead of venting it on the shrink!
