Hi! As the title suggests, I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder back in July after a rapid cycling of moods. They started me on medication, Lamicital I think, and it has since made me manic. After months of trying different dosages and antidepressants to combat my anxiety/anger, I ended up losing my job and yelling at my landlord because I couldn’t control my anger. There is definitely more to the story, but this is just the gist. Since I lost my job, I can’t pay for the doctor anymore. I stopped taking the medicine and it sent me into a depressive episode like I’ve never had before. So now I’m forced to either be manic or depressed, and I don’t know how to control either. I don’t know where to start or where to go. I guess my question would be: is there a service that offers discounted psychiatric visits and do you have any tips to help me control my illness?
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Hi there,
Thank you for coming to Asking Jude for advice. I’m very sorry to hear about everything you have gone through pertaining to your diagnosis. I understand that it puts you in a very difficult mental state, especially considering how expensive it is to receive treatment from a psychiatrist. Finding low-cost treatment options depends on where you live. I found websites that include links you can visit to find these options:
⁃ https://nami.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025156193-I-need-a-psychiatrist-psychotherapist-but-can-t-afford-It-Where-can-I-find-affordable-treatment-
⁃ https://www.goodrx.com/blog/therapy-mental-health-services-without-insurance/
⁃ https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/low-cost-and-free-mental-health-services/
⁃ If you live in the Los Angeles area: https://sccc-la.org/
⁃ If you live in California and have Medi-Cal: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/medi-cal/california
Although I am not a professional in the mental health friend, I can recommend ways to cope with symptoms of Bipolar 1 disorder. According to WebMD (https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-1-disorder), some factors that can contribute to mania are unmanaged stress and lack of sleep. A few ways you can get more sleep at night are to stick to a consistent sleep schedule (set a bedtime reminder on your phone), incorporate physical activity into your day (such as a long walk in a nearby park), limit screen time an hour before bed (you may choose a more unwinding activity, such as reading), and practice meditation before bed (https://youtu.be/5itkfGLcb5E).
As for controlling stress, consider making a stress management plan. I recommend writing down activities and/or objects that relax you when you feel overwhelmed. For example, you may like to draw, hug a stuffed animal, stretch, or listen to an upbeat music playlist. If you find yourself feeling stressed, you can refer to the list you made and practice the stress management techniques that work for you. Here is more advice on coping with bipolar 1 disorder: https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/living-healthy-life-with-bipolar
I also recommend the following hotlines for more mental health assistance:
HOTLINES
-National Suicide Prevention Hotline (U.S.):
1-800-273-8255
-https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
-http://www.contacthelpline.org/emotional-listening-support
-Telephone Helpline: 877-995-5247 or download the Safe Helpline app on your phone
-Crisis Helpline: 800-233-4357
-Crisis Chat: https://www.contact-usa.org/chat.html
-Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
More telephone numbers can be found here: https://psychcentral.com/lib/telephone-hotlines-and-help-lines/
Lastly, I recommend reaching out to trusted friends and family for their support. This can remind you that you are not alone in going through this and that you have people in your life (including us at Asking Jude) who want to help you.
Sending love and support,
Helen