Take control of your own life
Choices Bipolar
JOCELYN DUNCAN - MY STORY
HOW THE EDUCATION BOARDS EVOLVED
HOW THE EDUCATION BOARDS EVOLVED
My bipolar was triggered at the age of 8, when I had to face a major trauma in my life. I first started seeing counsellors and psychiatrists when I was 10 years old. Since then I have suffered with periods of depression and mania never knowing why I had such horrendous mood swings.
One day, when I was talking to someone who had Bipolar they described their symptoms which were almost identical to mine. I got referred to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me as having a Bipolar Disorder. It was one of the best days of my life. I now had a face to my enemy.
I was 57 years old, so for almost 50 years I had coped alone with this condition, which has taken me from attempted suicides to manic spending sprees which left me with massive debts.
When I was finally diagnosed, my psychiatrist put me on a mood stabilising medication, but within a month I had lost my hair and my liver and kidneys were failing. I realised that I had to learn to cope with this by myself.
I asked my psychiatrist where I could get more information about Bipolar and his response was that I could research it on the internet as there were hundreds of websites.
I asked if there were any local Bipolar Self Help Groups. His answer was no, but I could start one if I was interested. I have spent thousands of hours researching how I can control my Bipolar without medication.
I have found that the more I understand the condition and what triggers my mood swings, the better I am able to manage them.
My family and friends have used the education boards and have learned how to help me when I get depressed or manic.
The difference this has made to my life is amazing and I am no longer treated like a child who throws her toys out of the pram.
My partner and I have now started Self Help Workshops on bipolar/mood swings and anxiety/depression.
You can read about it at www.chateducation.com
One day, when I was talking to someone who had Bipolar they described their symptoms which were almost identical to mine. I got referred to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me as having a Bipolar Disorder. It was one of the best days of my life. I now had a face to my enemy.
I was 57 years old, so for almost 50 years I had coped alone with this condition, which has taken me from attempted suicides to manic spending sprees which left me with massive debts.
When I was finally diagnosed, my psychiatrist put me on a mood stabilising medication, but within a month I had lost my hair and my liver and kidneys were failing. I realised that I had to learn to cope with this by myself.
I asked my psychiatrist where I could get more information about Bipolar and his response was that I could research it on the internet as there were hundreds of websites.
I asked if there were any local Bipolar Self Help Groups. His answer was no, but I could start one if I was interested. I have spent thousands of hours researching how I can control my Bipolar without medication.
I have found that the more I understand the condition and what triggers my mood swings, the better I am able to manage them.
My family and friends have used the education boards and have learned how to help me when I get depressed or manic.
The difference this has made to my life is amazing and I am no longer treated like a child who throws her toys out of the pram.
My partner and I have now started Self Help Workshops on bipolar/mood swings and anxiety/depression.
You can read about it at www.chateducation.com
