Posted by ghost on May 15, 2004, at 11:37:46
In reply to MY OFFICIAL INTRODUCTION, posted by laural on October 19, 2000, at 6:53:49
Sometimes it's creepy when you meet or read about someone you can relate to so well. But not feeling so alone keeps me alive, so the creepiness is good in this case.
I wanted to at least comment on your questions, because I don't think I have any real answers...
>1) family reactions to illness--should i expect support from my boyfriend?
i think you shouldn't expect it but be thankful if you get it, if that makes sense. i was hospitalized last week for suicidal thoughts and urges, and when i called my bf to tell him where i was, i didn't receive much support. he called me the next day to say "sorry" in his mumbling half-assed way, and that he just "didn't know what to say." when he came to visit (only because i begged for some crosswords or a book or something), i gave him some info on depression, bipolar, and bpd to read. he said he'd looked up the info on the net, but took the brochures and put them in his backpack.
ive been out for three days now, and he hasn't been much help-- but i've pretty well shut him out of my life anyway. he's been better than previous significant others ive had... no one else has even bothered trying to talk or deal.
i hope yours is better.
>2) what can i expect in terms of going back to school with this illness? I want med school but stress nullifies my meds--
i'm in a similar situation. i just quit graduate school (after finishing out the semester so i wouldnt have failures on my transcripts)-- and did horribly dealing with illness and meds and classes. i think you have to expect to work harder than you've ever worked before. and that you have to schedule relaxation time. put it in your dayplanner. force yourself to take reasonable time for you-time to unwind. whatever you need to do, but don't forget to have some unwind time, even when it seems like you don't even have time to sleep. make lists. prioritize. include de-compressing time.
>3) how to combat lethargy?
it's hard. i've never really figured it out. i'm not sure if by lethargy you mean a lack of energy or downright sleepiness, but when i started abilify, it made me exhausted-- i physically couldn't keep my eyes open. i was useless the day i started it. i took naps the first few days and just had to take it easy. now when i'm sleepy or lack energy (which has been the norm since i started taking abilify again), i try to do what i need to do, but do the low-energy-requiring tasks when i feel at my worst. stuff i can do that wil keep me focused, but still. (for me if i focus my mind, i can usually complete a tast, but if you pair it with walking or moving around a lot, i get too exhausted to even think straight).
it's nice to meet you. i look forward to talking to you more online.
poster:ghost
thread:1286
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040507/msgs/347138.html