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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice on October 6, 2003, at 19:31:22
Hello everyone,
Great to see everyone’s name again. Actually I’ve visited psychobabble a few times – tried posting a couple of times but couldn’t. Hopefully now I will be able to.
I guess I haven’t posted for 3 or more years -- mostly because I am doing well. I’ve moved cities, gotten a divorce, changed my career and gotten my bipolar and ADD type symptoms under control. I feel quite good and stable on my lithium and Wellbutrin. And if you don’t mind me bragging a little bit, my self-care is SPecTaCuLaR – I feel this is as responsible for my improvement as my medication.
Again, it’s wonderful to see everyone’s name. This place certainly is a community. I always appreciated everyone’s comments when I was on this board regularly. I learnt so much here about dealing with my disorders, mostly from the people on this very board, and would like to thank you all for your support and advice. It seemed to work for me.
Janice
Posted by allisonm on October 6, 2003, at 20:46:29
In reply to Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 6, 2003, at 19:31:22
Hi Janice and welcome! I am glad things are going well for you. It helps to know that there are ways out of this abyss.
Take care.
Posted by Phil on October 7, 2003, at 9:57:51
In reply to Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 6, 2003, at 19:31:22
That's good news, Janice. What's helping in the self care department? Anything special or just the regular eat right, socialize, exercise, etc.?
Were all the changes difficult or were you stable when it all transpired?
We definately can't write off good old willpower, or maybe a better way of saying it; the courage to change when we think it isn't possible.
Thanks for coming back and filling us in. I'm happy for you.
Phil
Posted by Janice on October 8, 2003, at 9:43:49
In reply to Re: Remember me? » Janice, posted by Phil on October 7, 2003, at 9:57:51
Hi Phil,
As for the self-care, here are most of the things (that I can think of now) that I do religiously.
Go to bed and get up at the same time.
Take my medication at the same time each day.
Meditate 20 minutes a day - I think this really helps.
Sit under my ‘sun lamp’ for about 2 hours a day (it sits above my computer).
This will sound flaky but I swear it works – I wear bright colours – mostly yellows and oranges when I can (I have even painted my room a nice yellow orange colour)
Exercise both cardio and weights 3 X a week.I also try to eat well -- organic food, lots of protein and no sugar or wheat. Although I'm not sure if eating well helps with the mood.
I really credit my self-care for about 50% of getting better. I don’t know if I could have started any of it without some decent medication to begin it all with.
I started doing one thing at a time. Of course I wasn't always successful but I just kept trying until I could do it, and not being hard on myself when I couldn't. Even now, about 15% of days are spent slightly below normal mood, but that means 85% are spent at normal or above normal mood which I am very grateful for.
Good luck to you Phil. I remember some of your posts from years ago.
Janice
Posted by judy1 on October 8, 2003, at 10:19:09
In reply to Re: Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 8, 2003, at 9:43:49
I couldn't be happier for you Janice, you sound wonderful. I'm sure it took a lot of hard work and discipline, but your daily regimen has got to be a large part of your recovery and I found it inspirational. It's funny about colors- when I'm manic I always wear bright reds and pinks, and when depressed I look like I'm in mourning. I'm going to try the color trick today- thanks a lot for posting it.
take care, judy
Posted by Phil on October 8, 2003, at 11:59:29
In reply to Re: Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 8, 2003, at 9:43:49
I believe that about colors. I like yellows and oranges and greens. Hallucinations are fun but I don't have them anymore. Wearing bright colors when depressed is smart. It definately makes a difference.
Continue on!
Posted by noa on October 9, 2003, at 4:18:28
In reply to Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 6, 2003, at 19:31:22
Hi, Janice!!
I think you are the Janice who taught us about the egg timer for daily cleaning up, yes?
I'm glad to hear you are doing so well! Thanks for stopping in to give us an update.
Posted by Janice on October 10, 2003, at 12:03:49
In reply to Re: Remember me? » Janice, posted by judy1 on October 8, 2003, at 10:19:09
Hi Judy, Hope you are well. Good to see you are still coming to psychobabble. It sure has changed since I was here. If i remember correctly you have a son and a horse (I remember this because I grew up with horses also). Anyway I hope both you, your son and your horse are doing well and you've managed to get your symptoms under control. It's alot of hard work and certainly not always possible. I have to say it is the thing I am most proud of - but I can't say it at a job interview. I end up saying I am proud of quitting smoking or getting my degrees but those ain't nothing compared to trying to get this illness under control.
Take care of yourself and maybe I will pop in from time to time -- I still do get a little down at times.
Janice
Posted by Janice on October 10, 2003, at 12:12:47
In reply to Re: Remember me? » Janice, posted by noa on October 9, 2003, at 4:18:28
Hi Noa,
Yes that's me. The funny thing is I still use the egg-timer to do everything I don't like to do. I still clean 12 minutes a day. I even time myself when I am working on projects I don't want to do. It seems to work for me.
I was saying to Judy that this place has really changed. So many different boards. A few people (I remember Dove and Chris A right now) seem to be missing from this board. I imagine things still flare up and get out of control like they did when I was on this board (remember dj and how he used to stir things up at times, and that other guy that used to log on as 10 different characters to defend himself?)
I hope you are fine Noa and you've got most of your symptoms under control. I think we started on this board at about the same time. You seem to have a gift of saying the right thing at the right time, and it was always wonderful, wise advice.
Janice
Posted by Janice on October 10, 2003, at 12:17:51
In reply to Re: Remember me? » Janice, posted by Phil on October 8, 2003, at 11:59:29
Hi Phil,
Yes they work. Orange and yellow are best for me -- I even have yellow and orange underwear. Of course I have no scientific proof for you, but I'm not a snob and would almost try anything to get better. And if I even think it works that is good enough for me. Funny Judy said her choice of colours changes from her depression to manic phases.
Nice to chat with you again. I hope things are going well for you Phil. Janice
Posted by judy1 on October 12, 2003, at 21:46:09
In reply to Re: Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 10, 2003, at 12:03:49
what a great memory you have! yes my son and horse are fine and now I have a little girl (she's 1 1/2 years old). you deserve to feel proud of what you've accomplished, and I'm sure we all know how much work was involved. I have some good and bad times still, but basically hanging in. I hope you stop and say hi from time to time and let us know how you are.
take care, judy
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 13, 2003, at 8:10:10
In reply to Re: Remember me? » Janice, posted by Phil on October 8, 2003, at 11:59:29
You mean I ought to wear something other than black???
(No, I'm not a goth type, but black is most slimming colour, and doesn't show sweat cos I sweat V heavily!)
Nikki xx
Posted by noa on October 13, 2003, at 18:01:10
In reply to Re: Remember me?, posted by Janice on October 10, 2003, at 12:12:47
Janice,
Thanks for the kind words. Your advice to me about the 12 minute timer is good, but I haven't followed it enough! I still struggle with getting stuff done and the place being a total mess.
On the other hand, my symptoms have improved, and I am mostly functioning pretty well these days. I have my moments, of course. And dealing with unstructured time is still hard for me. It is like depression created a void where my life used to be and now, though I am not depressed so much, I have to figure out how to put the life back into the empty space.
But I'm better. I bought a place to live (now it is all *mine* to mess up!!) and am working full time. I'm even beginning to test out talking about the *future* in therapy, though this is very difficult for me, still.
You're right about the accomplishment of getting the illness under control, but not being able to toot that horn in all settings. Oh well, at least you can toot away here!
This is the end of the thread.
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