Living with Hypomania

There are tons of people who live with some form of depression or knows someone who does, yet millions of people each year are misdiagnosed. When I was fourteen, my family decided that we should all go see a family psychologist to help us work out any problems that we had. I saw that psychologist only three times, and he told me that there wasn't anything wrong with me. I'd just like to say "YEAH, RIGHT! ARE YOU NUTS?!"

You see, I have what is called hypomania (or bi-polar II disorder). This kind of manic depression is less severe, but can still effect a person's everyday life. You still have the "good days" (extreme highs) and the "bad days" (extreme lows -- to the brink of suicide). I am not on ANY medication for this. I feel that I should've been diagnosed sooner, but I don't blame the psychologist. I figure, " I have this thing, so I might as well find a way to live with it because I'm going to have this for the rest of my life."

So, how can someone live with hypomania? Well, it's kind of hard to say. However, if you can sense that you're about to hit a "low", there are some things you can do , for example :

- Take a deep breath

- Count to 10

- Realize what the true problem is and don't blame it on yourself or on others ( this may be hard -- especially if you have a hard time admitting that there is a problem in your life)

- Realize that you are doing the best you can with what you have

- Take a walk

- Talk to someone you can trust (support group, etc.)

- Write it down in a diary/journal and the next time you have to see your psychologist, bring it with you and discuss your feelings ( not only does this help with you psychologically, but you'll feel much better once you get your feelings out in the open -- even if it is on paper)

One thing you must NEVER do is feel that you CAN'T live with this and that suicide is the answer. You can live with this, if you have the proper support group and if you have the tools/resources you need (i.e - a diary, a psychologist, a trust worthy friend). Mental illness is not something to be taken lightly; and yes, you have to live with it for the rest of you life, but here's the main thing... YOU HAVE TO LIVE. Don't let this stop you. Depression is an illness, not a weakness.