#askbettie

hi!! never too late to share your story, i love reading them. you're such a youngin!! (im two years older than u so ur baby to me) im so proud if you for continuing to fight. i understand what it's like to lose your teen years to depression, i had my first suicidal thoughts at age 11 and theyve gotten worse every year since then up until this year... so im so sorry that you're going through this. just know, if you EVER need someone to talk to, im here. im on this blog all the time (my only real coping mechanism is reblogging depression memes lol) send me an anon or just shoot me a quick message

i really hope you find a combination of meds while you're still a teen so you can enjoy your twenties like you're meant to. i hope the same for all of my depressed or otherwise mentally ill kiddos out there.

just like the last anon, im rooting for you too! i hope the best for you, and im not religious but im "praying for you" (aka my version which is sending you positive vibes and thinking about you)

please be aware, any and all of this is my opinion and what i would do in this situation, i am just someone with bipolar disorder NOT a trained mhp.

the first step for me would be to contact my psychiatrist and make an appt for asap. my psych (and other psychs) TYPICALLY hold a few spots open towards the end of the week that they use in case something like this happens to one of their patients.

my next step, if you're medicated, make sure you're taking your meds on time, everyday. do not miss a dose, ESPECIALLY of your antipsychotic if you're on one. (im not a mental health professional so i cant say for sure that this causes it but!!) i become mixed if i forget to take my antipsychotics for awhile (when i was on them, currently im not).

try to relax. been working too much? see if you can take a day off. studying too much? put the book down, i promise you'll do better with a clear head. not eating enough (assuming you dont have an ed)? schedule time for meals and make your favorite foods! try to find joy in cooking, even if its ramen. like spice? add some cayenne or fresh jalepeno etc etc etc. havent been sleeping? this is definitely a sign to see or at least call your psych for a possible prescription. if you want something gentle and natural that psychs usually (please contact yours first) approve of, you could try melatonin. i used take two of the gummies and would get a restful nights sleep.

try listening to soothing music. stay away from depressing trap music (try to stay away from it while manic in any form because it promotes drug use and violence that you dont need in this state), heavy metals, rap (same reason as trap), any music about breakups or heartbreak, or anything else with a sad message. i typically stray towards bands like kaleo, milo greene, the lumineers, etc.

for me, it's very easy to trigger mixed episodes by skipping meals/sleep, having an intense mood (happy, agitated, angry, displeased, disappointed, etc), getting into an argument, becoming stressed out with school or work, or drug use (i only use weed but it can trigger it in me so if you've experimented with others, that could be a definite trigger).

remember that mixed episodes, hypomania, or mania can send you into an intense depression (especially in mixed episodes!!). if you think you need to go to the ER or someone else who is close to you believes you should go, PLEASE GO. it'll be one of the nicest things you've ever done for yourself. if you want more info on the intake process, let me know. ive been through it once, heard about it a lot, and seen it first hand quite a few times.

if you need someone to talk to, im here. i dont always respond the fastest bc ya girl is very stressed with school and working ten hours a day BUT i will 100% try my best to get back within two days.

hi!! i don't ever.... "encourage".... smoking weed. however!! im high right now so i can't tell you yes or no on whether you should buy it without being a hypocrite or an advocate. if you're feeling like you're in a stable place to experience being high, you have the funds to buy weed, and a safe environment to consume it in then.... weigh the pros and cons first but go for it if you decide it's something you want to do. however, i would recommend talking to someone about it before you do (a mental health professional) like a psych or therapist, ESPECIALLY if you're on meds. a common bipolar and bpd med is lamictal and there have been reports of seizures when mixing that and thc. make sure you ASK safely as well. some mhps will demand you be drug tested if they find out you're smoking and could stop seeing you completely if they find it in your system.

ik i kind of evaded the question but i hope this helped! as someone who's unmedicated, i think being high helps me regulate my emotions for awhile but it also makes me irritable later in the day.

also, if you ever need to talk, lmk!! I'd love to have some more friends 🥰

😂 I'm debating on it, honestly. This is just a terrible time for me to be single. I was talking to my therapist and I think the MAIN reason we're still together is he has nowhere to go bc hes not from Ohio. But she said I shouldn't have to suffer bc I'm too nice to tell him to go.