Psyche logo

Practical “Rollercoaster-Life” Advice

“Keep all hands and feet inside the coaster” I have been told, and will extend that practical advice to “make sure to hold on to your seatbelt, and values, and standards.”

By Lorraine Da BrainPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
1
Hands? Not in the coaster... circa 2014

We won't make it out alive on this rollercoaster that is life... but wouldn’t it be nice to avoid self destruction? One in five documented bipolar patients self destruct, presumably due to their illness. This terrified me, being bipolar 1. But I know it will be ok. It will be better than ok—it will be great.

My answer is self reflection, and understanding your own values, and standards of those values; then using them to ground yourself, and lift yourself up when needed. The best thing is that doing this breeds success in all aspects of life. Being bipolar just means I have an excuse to prioritize my success; because to me failure to do so leads to self destruction, and that's not an option.

Is self reflection and understanding easy? Hell no. Is it fun? Probably not. But it's a fundamental aspect of becoming who you are in the world, and knowing that you have a place on this earth, no matter if it feels like it's imploding.

I do this by writing. And reviewing what I wrote. And allowing myself to feel. Many times I have felt terrible because I stopped taking my medication, and started being “that bipolar stereotype.” You know, “just take your meds, and you will be fine...”

What is terrible is that many people think Bipolar disorder is like any other disease you have to take a daily pharmaceutical for. It’s NOT.

Taking your meds for Bipolar disorder is not the same as taking your cholesterol pills. Your mood affects the act of taking the pills, which effect your mood.

You see,

I am Bipolar

This means that holders

For my meds are normal...

Lithium Valium and Adderall

Welcome to the home of the brave

Drugging society after all

Welcome those who misbehave

Keeping us healthy and focused

The land of the free.

Side effects being an extra bonus

the land where you can just be.

Taking our diagnosis

and creating a money oasis

The market for daily pharmaceuticals

Keeps us drugged but are these pills suitable

for long term human consumption?

Dependency and potential for abuse is a function

of the chemical components...

The FDA pretends that they know this...

Schedule 1, too much fun...

Schedule 2, I guess it ok for you...

Creating legal addicts everyday

Dependent on big Pharma in every way.

Looking for that next wonder drug

but if it doesn't make money, we don't give a flying fuck.

Ritilin, Depakote, Seroquel,

After buying you I got nil.

That being said, I feel like it's impossible to live your life with no symptoms or fluctuations, and extreme hate for pharmaceuticals... even, and especially, if you are taking medications. So you gotta learn to live with the symptoms, because, self destruction is failure and not an option based on my values and standards.

My most grounding value is family, and my standard is of the highest. I would never want my family to undergo pain from my self destruction. This value grounds me, when in a chaotic mind frame that is clouding my reality arises.

This mind frame is something I have learned to appreciate. It happens. I accept that. And I understand that. It makes the normal days look extraordinary, and dim days not so bad.

But it wouldn’t be so easy if I didn’t have writing as my release and documentation tool. Because this allows me to let the emotions run through me, instead of tormenting me. I recommend that everyone has a journal. It has changed my life. If not a journal, at the minimum an outlet for your emotions, working out, cooking, gardening, or reading.

Just posting a piece of my mind, to bring you some peace of mind.

advice
1

About the Creator

Lorraine Da Brain

Helping spread peace of mind, with a piece of my mind.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.