Today, March 7, 2022, is the 10th anniversary of my bipolar diagnosis. In some ways it seems like it was only yesterday that I heard the words proclaiming the nature of my “nonconformity”, but in others I feel like I’ve lived the longer part of my life with it. As indeed I have; I wasContinue reading “Ten Years”
Tag Archives: diagnosis
Asking For a Friend…
Has anyone ever noticed that the longer they remain stable, the less serious their illness seems to be? It’s weird. I know I went through a lot in the early years of my bipolar diagnosis, but it all seems like it happened to someone else. I didn’t start this blog till 2013, but I haveContinue reading “Asking For a Friend…”
The Seven-Year Itch
Well, here we are…the seven-year anniversary of my first bipolar diagnosis. I remember it as if it was yesterday: the long questioning session with Dr. Awesomesauce, the many reasons he cited as to why I might not be bipolar, and then the surprising diagnosis of bipolar NOS. In retrospect he might have given it toContinue reading “The Seven-Year Itch”
Six Years
That’s how long it’s been since I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It’s hard to believe because it seems like I’ve lived the longer part of my life since then, but that’s because I had it for many years before the official label became part of my medical record. I didn’t know it atContinue reading “Six Years”
Five Years
Today marks the fifth anniversary of my bipolar diagnosis. In some ways it seems like yesterday, while at the same time it’s like it happened half a lifetime ago. I’ll never forget how I felt when Dr. Awesomesauce pronounced the words that changed my life forever. “I’m diagnosing you with bipolar disorder not otherwise specified,” heContinue reading “Five Years”
Dr. Goodenough
Yesterday, I had my first visit with my new pdoc, whom I shall call Dr. Goodenough. He reminds me of Mister Rogers—he is warm and kind, and he wears a tie with a cardigan sweater. He’s an older gentleman, so I’m a little worried he’ll retire within a few years; but since he’s new toContinue reading “Dr. Goodenough”
The Day It All Began
It just occurred to me that today is the fourth anniversary of my first bipolar diagnosis, when life as I’d known it was forever changed. But not to sound too melodramatic about it all, it was also the day the healing began. I remember the ninety-minute intake appointment with Dr. Awesomesauce as clearly as ifContinue reading “The Day It All Began”
The SSDI Physical and Other Stuff
Today was my Social Security physical exam. I was up way too early and so heavily caffeinated that my blood pressure soared into the 160s, and on top of it I was nervous. Not because of the physical itself—I’ve had three of them since my hospital stay—but because I was afraid the doctor would beContinue reading “The SSDI Physical and Other Stuff”
A Not-So-Happy Anniversary
Strange as it may seem,I have a habit of marking the dates of all kinds of occasions, not just cheery events like weddings and birthdays. Such is the case with today being the day I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Three years, countless med changes and a hospitalization later, I’m on much firmer footingContinue reading “A Not-So-Happy Anniversary”
DX: Bipolar I
Awhile back, I wrote a post about my frustration with what I considered to be a “wastebasket” diagnosis (bipolar not otherwise specified), wishing Dr. Awesomesauce would pick a number and settle the question for good. I was in bipolar limbo; I remember the Vocational Rehab counselor who asked if I was BP 1 or 2, and trying toContinue reading “DX: Bipolar I”
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