Given Up

[Slinger]

I'm a 34 yr old male. I was originally diagnosed as manic depressive when i was 12. I didn't take my meds cause I threw fits and my mother didn't make me. Anyways, took on drinking at 15 and never really quit. been sober for a couple of weeks or so now.

I had dreams and real hope until a year ago. I went to Psych and doc told me I was bi-polar. I am now on disability and have no desire to even try to make a good living again.

Went to a new doc last week and was honest about drinking, she was very direct and told me what i already knew, i'm an bi polar alcoholic. since this diagnosis, i really feel worthless and don't know where to start or how to start living my life. I'm married, just living together at this point. I don't think she wants to kick me out when I'm in this bad of shape.

before i 'knew' i had bi-polar i worked hard and made a good living for spurts, as I am getting older it seems harder to keep a job.

I don't dream anymore. I don't have any more hope. I don't think i care anymore, I am what I am and I can't seem to do any more in my life because of my mental illness.

don't know the purpose of this post, maybe somebody can tell me something.

[Bamboozle]

Hello, Slinger. Welcome to SR.

I don't have bipolar, but I do have depression. I'm also a drinker and sober.

Do you do any counseling ? I do...and it helps to have someone on my side, especially when I don't care...when I'm feeling hopeless.

I don't know if depression is a permanent fixture in my life...it was around before the drinking started. Regardless, I focus on what I can do right now to cope so I can function how I want to function. I can't do anything to make the depression go away, but I do everything I can to counter it.

It helps sometimes to remind myself that when hopelessness happens I know I can blame it on my illness...that's not me. I am not my illness or my alcoholism. I'm a person getting well.

When I'm really bad I call my therapist and get in to see her asap.

Welcome again.

[zoomer]

Just for the record, I'm bi-polar and an alcoholic and you can do anything anyone els can do as long as you take your meds and follow doctor's orders. I fought taking meds a long time and drank on them. I finally gave up one day and followed directions! I went back to school and got a degree, I work a **** job right now,but am going through a program that helps those with disabilities to get better employment. I thought my life was doomed being bi-polar and an alcoholic,but this one doctor told me, no you can fuction like the rest of the world as long as you take your meds. I did get some couseling,but in all honesty I found that talking to my shrink, going to AA and taking on recovery boards is enough to help me,but it may not be enough for everyone. So cheer up, your life is not all doom and gloom. I'm a better person now that I'm taking the right meds and following directions and not drinking.

[mxchaos]

I've been there and DBT therapy help me learn to change my attitude and realize that my emotions are just that...now i'm working and dreaming again...though I do have days that don't go well...It's a challenge to choose to change what you can...Don't give in to the disabled label...you can be happy and healthy...meds...therapy and a whole lot of hard work can really change your life...