Im new here

I was just wondering how this site is working out for other bipolar sufferers like me. I am 28 and have suffered bipolar for 13 years. As of now I am not on any meds but am trying to get them. I am also trying to find a good counselor to begin treatment. My BP is hurting my husband and my kids. I cant control my moods and the way I get irritated at almost nothing. I need people I can relate to that understand what I am going through. ......

Hi Smartygirl, welcome to the forum. This is a good place to post.
The first thing I think is to get proper treatment. That means a psychiatrist to prescribe meds (a pdoc) and a therapist (tdoc) for talk therapy. Probably your general practioner or family doctor can refer you to someone. I don't know what I would do without that treatment. I have BPII and would not want to try to manage it alone

The mood tracker here is a big help too. My tdoc likes me to bring my details in so we can plan treatment.

I hope you get treatment and feel better too. The irritation seems to be part of all types of BP and is one of my least favorite symptoms too.

I've only been here for a week or so and already found the forum to be very helpful and supportive of each other. Giving forth the experience, strength, and hope that we all do have. I tried for years to manage my bipolar apparently through the drug abuse and hope that noone else will have to learn the hard lessons that I have. I have 2 older sons who live with their father and who suffered not only the bipolar mood swings but the drugs with me. I'm noticing more with out the drugs that I have the irritation factor that I never really noticed before because it was masked so well in other symptoms. I became the professional at running from and dodging my bipolar. Today I have great dr's and a good support system to live with it and not suffer from it, at least for now. I realize though in order for my life to remain the way it is I have to work efficiently with these people for the remainder of my life. The people around me didnt deserve all they went through and its really hard today to go, "hey I was sick" and to have them understand what that meant or even means today. Some people are noticing a difference and the ones I work with to manage it know I take it very seriously so I dont hurt anyone else with it or because of it. No more excuses. Like in NA they say Im not responsible for my disease, but I am responsible for my recovery. I take that just as seriously. I've seen the other side of the hill now and it can be nice to have what I hated everyone else for having. That concept of "normal". None of us have to suffer anymore....we have each other.....and our own section of the medical world to help us. We are more fortunate today that our predecessors were. There is slowly becoming a better understanding of what makes us who we are and the solutions to help us manage our lives. I use the word "manage". Today thats what I'm able to do and I'm grateful. I'm very glad I found this place to take whats in my head and put it out there so others know where I'm at today. Some days may not be like this and I'll make a habit of telling yall about those too.

Smartygirl
Welcome.
This sight has been very supportive and informative for me.
Bipolar disorder can get very confusing and the people on this sight have helped me learn more about my disorder (I'm BP 1). They have supported me when all I needed was someone to listen and given me the advice I've needed.
I hope you can find a good PDOC and TDOC.
Be well and keep posting.
Mooky