Bipolar Questions Version 4

My husband, my pet parrot, nature, humor, and music.

Q: What is something you care about that you will always have?

I don't know; I don't trust in permanence in my life.

Do you prefer male or female therapists?

A: I prefer male therapists. I know there isn't really a reason to have this preference but as a male I feel like another male might connect better with how I feel. I guess it's kind of like our first instinct to associate with those we have things in common with. First thing I can connect with my therapist with is that we are the same gender and probably share a lot of the same gender related issues. I would not be against a female therapist however, all problems aren't exactly gender-based. Lots of insight can come from someone very different from you, or even a different gender. I'm kind of overthinking this question I think. haha

Q: Let's say you can go back in time, and bring only ONE ITEM from the present with you. What would it be? How would you use it in the past? -- this can be personal past, or generational past or era.

Right now I'm going to say my super fancy, powerful electric toothbrush because tomorrow I have to have a root canal on a tooth that has already had 2 crowns in the last 12 months. I would do anything to prevent this.

What is your perfect weather day?

Fine, sunny and close to ,37’C (I think 100’F). This way I can go for both early morning and late afternoon snorkels. A thunderstorm after that would top it off.

How big is your TV?

32 inches I think.

Do you ever just chat with your therapist instead of talking about hard things?

Absolutely! I even do the same with my psychiatrist (with whom I spend 20+ mins), but I always also address important things within the same sessions. I love telling stories and usually also add humor, even during the hardest times. It's a coping mechanism. I am usually a person.

Q: Do you consider yourself a funny person? Or more serious? I'm talking in baseline states.

I'm funny but shy so it doesn't always show until I'm comfortable with someone.

Do you have a pet peeve?

Getting a bad case of the hiccups when I'm about to sit down and eat something really tasty.

What's your favourite outdoor temperature for a nice walk? Mine is -10 C.

Probably around the same as you, 0 C or below but sunny outside and without the wind chill factor as well.

What helps you sleep?

A: A heap of meds and a 3-5 hour routine

Q: Do you have dental issues from meds/dry mouth?

Not from meds or dry mouth, but I have many fillings from years of excess candy consumption,

Q: When was the last time you cursed out loud?

Honestly, I don't know. I think the last time I wrote a quasi curse, it wasn't even me that cursed. I was telling a story about how Mr. Wonderful cursed on the show Shark Tank. I literally used the word "Expletive" before "you", so that wasn't formally a curse. It was even partially bleeped, of course. I am not a frequent curser. I grew up in a family that rarely cursed. Not even my dad. When I do it's usually when I am in a bad mixed episode or someone really does something horrible. Some of my family members, including me, have had periods when we yelled, but not often with curse words involved. My husband occasionally curses, but only in Czech. He curses less often than other Czech men, I think.

If I cursed in front of my parents growing up, I was in trouble. Once I told my mom to go to hell, when I was about 13 years old. That was NOT tolerated! I guess I give hand gestures or honk my car horn much more often, with only the horn usually noticed.

I remember cursing once on the playground at age 8. The teacher heard me. At that time, in Pennsylvania, if you went to the principal's office, you might have received a choice of after school suspension or the paddle. My siblings and I asked for the paddle. It was the better choice. That may seem hard for younger people to understand.

Q: What was a positive thing about your upbringing?

sesame street.

in the dark and the unforgiving days of abuse, that really provided me a lifeline and a chance to get away from it all.

every day, 12 PM, I was their, in front of my tv, watching it

(I even had the cookie monster shaped cookies for lunch sometimes.)

so with that in mind: when you were growing up, what was your escape?

My radio in my room was my escape. I used to memorize all of the songs and sing along for hours.

What is your favorite decade of music?

Whatever decade Motown was in. The 60s?

Q: how long is/was your longest romantic relationship?

All my adult relationships have lasted 1 month all 3 if them. I did have a "boyfriend" from the age of 11 until 13 years though. But I'll stick to a month

Question: When did you know the time was right for you to go back into employment?

I haven't managed to get back to full time work like I thought I would after working so many years. My last major episode cost me everything. Not a pity me, but you know how you always believe and try to get back to the 'person you used to be'. This time, well, I have finally learned that I will never be the person I was, and have to accept the person I am. That's been so true for work. Now my expectations are a low lower, as is my standard of living. But, we are still alive and moving forward, and I think that is the key. Sure, I'd love to be working full time again, because it does give you a buzz and a real sense of purpose that you only work out when you stop working, but now, well who knows, maybe the future me will be the best version of me yet.


Err, what as the question, working. Answered. I think.

What is your number one goal that you still work to achieve or regain despite your bipolar?

you take me back.

when I was a kid, they used to do the whole request show on sunday evenings on delta FM (at the time our local station). I listened every week.

also radio 4's dramas, in particular the railway children, my favorite

my radio was little, a portable world radio. it could pick up any station on any wave length (providing I was in signal range of it.)

I'd say mine is either to get everyone abusive out of my life, or realise it's okay to make your own decisions and work on your own terms.

how you would describe bipolar in just one word