Happy Sunday Fun Day pups! It looks like spring outside, but feels like winter! Brrr!

So, today is Palm Sunday…whatever that means. I’m…not really religious. Sorry! Anyways, Tomorrow…Monday, is World Bipolar Day.

I’ll have to work, but i want to write this little blurb today. I happen to be living with Bipolar myself, along with a few other mental health issues. I’ll get to those in a later blog…maybe. I had been diagnosed with Bipolar at a very young age, which I guess I can consider myself lucky for. It afforded me the luxury of having quite a lot of help handed to me, which is something a lot of adults suddenly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, are not. They are usually left to fend for themselves and hope they’re lucky enough to find the right kind of help.

But yeah, I know several people in my life who have been diagnosed with some form of Bipolar tendencies, to varying degrees. I’ve seen a lot of breakdowns, had several myself. Been on and off several medications for years. As of now, I am not on any medications, however I do have an open prescription for Lithium Carbonate at my local pharmacy; just in case I need it. It’s nice to know it’s there.

Most days, I feel very in control of my disorder. But there are times when things just, aren’t right. I’m pretty good at seeking help nowadays, when I was younger, not so much. I would try to handle it all by myself. For years I was drowning in this insufferable depression. I had gone so far as swallowing a whole bottle of excedrin in my senior year of high school. A few years later, when I had hit that low once again, I had swallowed a whole bottle of vicodin. Obviously I didn’t die, but I was sick for several weeks after both incidents. Looking back, I regret thinking that would solve anything. I haven’t been that low in almost three years and I’m proud to say I don’t think about swallowing my whole medicine cabinet anymore. That’s not to say I don’t have bad days. I do. Lots of them. But I have been able to put most of life into perspective for myself. I have a job, a car, a phone, a bed, food in my fridge, a roof over my head, clean clothes, and Roger. When I bring that up, people always give me funny looks. But it’s true. Roger gives me a reason to live. Gives me a reason to get up everyday. He depends on me, that’s a wonderful feeling. To know there is someone who depends on you. His existance hinges on my existance.

Every time I feel like my life doesn’t matter, i remember the first day I met him. He was so litte, so scared. He’d never seen stairs before. He was terrified of every little sound, too scared to even eat anything. Now, he wakes me up at the absolute ass crack of dawn on the weekends, and makes sure my ass is out of bed on time during the week for work. he doesn’t care who i was in the past, what i did, or said. none of that matters to him. he loves me. and needs me. he honestly keeps me alive. it’s helped me start living a better life for myself. helped me start being kinder to myself, my mind, my body.

everyone needs someone like that in their lives. it doesn’t have to be a person, it can be a pet! but everyone needs someone who would miss them if they disappeared. that helps me get through tough days.

Okay, well anyways… Being Bipolar is hard. People look at you differently when they learn of your disorder. Most tiptoe around you, as if you’re going to spontaneously combust any second. Which sucks. I can’t even begin to tell you how many friends I’ve had to explain to that, my diagnosis doesn’t actually change who I am. I’m the same person I was before I told you I was Bipolar.

I’m not really sure where I was going with this…but yeah uhm if anyone reading this, is living with Bipolar, please know there are going to be people everywhere who don’t understand.. but you are worthy of love. you deserve to be here. people on this earth love you, just the way you are, and would miss you if you suddenly weren’t there. it does get better, easier and you will find peace. if you need to seek help, please…please do. you matter to someone. if you are feeling alone, sad, depressed, angry or suicidal, get help. medications can help you. never feel ashamed of taking them.

if you are someone who knows/loves someone who is Bipolar, please understand that patience is a virtue and we appreciate when you are gentle with us. sometimes, all we need is someone to make us a cup of tea and let us sleep on the couch for a day. other times, we may need you to drive to our house at 3am just to cry and scream incoherently at you. we do feel bad when we do stupid things, we regret making bad decisions and when we apologize, please don’t snap at us. we usually are very sorry. sometimes…that’s not always true..but most of the time we mean what we say when we apologize. never underestimate the power of a text message, even if it’s just to say hey. we sometimes just need to know someone is thinking about us.

if you or someone you know/love is exhibiting depressed or suicidal tendencies please call:

(US) 1-800-273-8255

or go to:

http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html

or if you are outside the US:

http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

And please know…someone out there loves you. Very much. And you are needed here.

Being Bipolar is not a death sentence. People can and do live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives. Your diagnosis does not define you. Always be strong. And I’m always here if any of you need to talk. I don’t have all the answers, frankly I don’t have many…but I can listen and try to offer what I can. You’re not alone, ever. I love you. You are important to this world.

Alright…well I need to end this before my laptop dies. I love you pups. So much. Stay safe, stay warm. Eat well. Drink lots of water. Get some rest.

xxx