Bipolar Disorder Causing a Loss of Control
I have lost so much control because of bipolar disorder. This is really awful because I’m actually a control freak in some ways. And, possibly, losing control because of bipolar disorder has actually making me more so as I work tremendously hard, and rather pointlessly, to regain the control that I have lost. This type of control has its plusses and minuses but there’s no doubt that I have less control now than I had before the bipolar disorder came a-knocking.
What Kind of Control Do You Lose Because of Bipolar Disorder?
Most people think they are in control of their own brains. This is silly, really, as brains are a lump of electrified goo and a biological organ that functions completely without our input. Nevertheless, people do think they control their thoughts and emotions, at least to a large extent.
Well, I have news for you: this type of control is mostly an illusion. We do not control our brains. We do not control our emotions. We do not control our thoughts. These things happen without our permission or say-so. I know that for people without mental illness, thoughts and emotions fall within a normal range and so seem completely reasonable and under control. But these people don’t know that at any moment, if their brains got sick, they would have a very different experience, indeed.
Loss of Control with Bipolar Disorder
Rather than emotions and thoughts being a straight line, emotions and thoughts with bipolar disorder are like a roller-coaster ride. Ups, downs, twists, turns and being thrown upside-down are all a part of living with a bipolar brain.
This drives me crazy.
Bipolar feels like living in a tornado. You try to grasp something but the winds take it away before you can get it. You try to walk forward but the winds are too strong and won’t let you. You try to mind your own business and just stop and think and, suddenly, the tornado carries a cow which hits you in the head. It feels like there is nothing in this world that is controllable.
What You Need to Control with Bipolar Disorder
Trying to regain control with bipolar disorder revolves around self-care and routine. See the following video about what you need to control with bipolar disorder to learn more.
Control You Need to Let Go of with Bipolar Disorder
And while there are things that I absolutely think you need to control because of the bipolar disorder, there are also types of control I think you need to let go.
You need to let go of the idea that you’re in total control. You need to let go of the idea that you are the creator of your own world. You need to let go of the fact that your destiny is yours and yours alone to decide upon. It just isn’t.
You can find Natasha Tracy on Facebook or Google+ or @Natasha_Tracy on Twitter or at Bipolar Burble, her blog.
Image by Flickr user Faramarz Hashemi.
APA Reference
Tracy, N.
(2016, July 29). Bipolar Disorder Causing a Loss of Control, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 22 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2016/07/bipolar-disorder-causing-a-loss-of-control
Author: Natasha Tracy
I definitely have learned that routine and sticking to the same schedule every day is EVERYTHING to me! My mood fluctuations diminish when I am able to keep to my schedule. I do have a big problem when I am unable to get proper sleep though.
Do I stay in bed longer to try and make up for the lack of sleep or do I get up at my usual time regardless? I find that I get extremely upset by getting up later than my regular time but if I get up at my usual time with less sleep, I feel awful. When I get up later I often am so discouraged that I don't get out of my pajamas...
Hello Miss Natasha,
Thank you for all you do. Your courage and insightful words of wisdom for us with BP is a blessing. I have severe major depression disorder with BP1. I am not totally incapacitated. Some days are diamonds, some days are stone. I have to ask you if you have been approached to try TMS therapy by Neurostar. I went to my psychiatrist and I was told that I would not be a good candidate for the treatment because I am not totally incapacitated. My body, now at age 48, is starting to deteriorate (bone, nerve, stamina, eyesight, hearing, (yikes) and I know it is because of all those precious cocktails I have been given since age 19. I no longer can work full time but I work part time with super flex time and hours. What a blessing. I had hoped that TMS would give me the opportunity to at least decrease the amounts of meds that I currently take. Now my psychiatrist would like me to go on lithium. Oh boy. Have you or anyone else in the world of BP and Depressive disorders come across TMS therapy and has it changed your outlook on the future? I wish you all the best and keep up the phenomenal work that you do!! I just wish that my blue wire was not connected to the red wire in my brain, and green to blue. (just kidding) Taake care and WRITE ON!!!
Hi JT,
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I'm very familiar with rTMS but I can't get it, personally. That said, I didn't think incapacitation was required in order to be a candidate. I suggest you get a second opinion because that doesn't sounds right to me.
rTMS can be quite successful for some people but it needs additional TMS treatments in the future so it's not a one-time thing.
I've written this that you may like to read; http://natashatracy.com/treatment/neurostimulation-treatment/ect/transcranial-magnetic-st… (It is on my personal site and not related to HealthyPlace.)
I hope that helps.
- Natasha Tracy
This is a great reminder. I am recalling that most of my worst episodes come after a change in routine. Lack of sleep being one of the big ones. I have found that if I go to bed later, I sleep better (except on the occasional 'bipolar' nights where sleep just doesn't come at all). Socializing is another serious interruption to my stability. I need to rest for a day or two or even three after that to recover my routine and whatever stability I am able to achieve. And yet I can't give up socializing altogether. I try to fit it in where it might do the least harm. Thanks for the reminder.
JT- I can share my experience with TMS which could be helpful? I have been diagnosed with BP, PTSD, and ADHD. Been living with this for 6 years. My psychiatrist recommended the procedure as I was VERY sensitive to meds and treatment resistant. I was miserable at that time, so after researching TMS, my husband and I decided to try it. Even though it was not covered by insurance at the time. It's not cheap. But I think in many places it is now included as a valid procedure, therefore covered.
Anyway, you sit in a chair that reminds me of a dentist's chair. They put what looks like a helmet on your head. They then map out where the areas of the brain that need treatment, and there you go. All you feel is little "taps" on your temples. The course of treatment time varies for each person. I went every day for a month, except weekends. It can cause headaches and teeth grinding, but is more annoying than anything.
It did not help me at all. From what I learned, it was way more successful with unipolar depression. With my BP diagnosis, I know now that it probably wouldn't have done much anyway.
That being said, it could be totally different by now. Maybe they've made changes to make it work better for patients with bipolar disorder. I would just advise you to do some research on it and see the percentages of success for your condition. And if it is not covered by your insurance, it is really pricey. We paid $11,000 for my round. We didn't have money for that price tag, but we were so desperate that we pulled money from a retirement account to pay it.
I have heard some success stories with it but almost all were for unipolar depression. Good luck if you decide to give it a try!!
Im trying to get information. I have bipolar and lose my senses i get highly upset. Throw things and at one time I punched my ex in his face at least 3 different times. I can find the answers i want.