Living alone with Bipolar

So I was taken via ambulance to the ED during a Pdoc appointmrny. Turned out my mania tripped my heart out enough to mimic a heart attack and dropped me to the ground. Long story, but let's say a government Pdoc isn't always as well trained or understanding as you'd like.

Back on track. When I came to, I had to fill in the hospital paperwork. At that point I realized I don't have an emergency contact. My parents are alive, but cannot deal with my bipolar due to crisis's in their lives. I had to put a person down who drops off food occasionally.

I live alone and at times feel unsafe. I have spoken with my specialist provider about living alone and if theres a way of living in shared care. Yet when stable I love my freedom. Unstable, I have difficulties with routines, looking after myself, medicationing myself, etc. I also have periods of dissacociation, panic attacks etc, that leave me unable to drive or seek help. As much as my OCD requires space, there are times when I need people around me to keep me safe. I currently Iive in a trailer park.

How do others with bipolar cope with being alone when unwell? Well enough to not be in hospital, but not well enough to be alone. My recent med change proved to me its not safe. I couldnt even drive.

My circle of friends is zero. I don't know what to do.

Have you ever considered getting an emotional support animal? I know for some people that feel unsafe being alone feel better if they have a dog for example and that can also help motivate them to get out of the house more.

There are supportive housing places that you can get into and while you live alone there's people there that can help you when you're struggling. I'm currently applying to get into a place like that, it's fairly independent but there's a lot of support and they help you work on your goals and whatnot, there are always people in the building so even though you'd be in your own apartment you're never 100% alone.

I understand the friend thing, I really don't have any so it's just me and it worries me sometimes that something could happen and I'd be alone. One interesting thing is I have 2 cats which are like emotional support animals and I was feeling really bad one time, like I was gonna pass out and my one cat kept coming up to me then running to the front door and meowing, I took that as a sign that I needed to go to the hospital so I did, animals have a way of sensing when something's wrong

I hope you find something that helps you

I put "none" as my emergency contacts. I live alone and don't feel like anyone understands me enough to make decisions. That's when I usually feel like crying but realize that I'm right, they don't know.

I too am living alone but I also have an emotional support cat. I also live in an apartment high rise.

Although I hear a lot of other people complain about people w support animals I have also heard my pic say that he wishes he could convince more patients to get them.

I feel that without my cat I don't really think I could be living by myself. He helps to calm me down but I also have to consider and take care of his needs too. Which also means I have to play with him. And many times that makes me laugh because he can be so funny. Even when I just don't feel like it.

Pdoc not pic. My program changed the spelling on me.

I do better alone. I was in a half way house cause others determined I was not safe alone but managed to get sec 8 and that was a life saver. I too put none on contacts. My living alone encouraged me to volunteer places so I got some social but no one that I asked to be an emergency contact. I did make both a living will and a psychiatric living will and filed them with my clinics and pdoc. After a number of years volunteering at the animal shelter I found the right cat. Two years ago I moved in with my mother to help care for her. It's harder. I don't have her down as my emergency contact but I suppose I could. I do miss living alone, but I manage to get alone time.

an emotional support animal is nice but it will not keep you safe if you are in a dangerous spot. it offers up love, and comfort but does not remind you to take your meds on time, etc. they are nice to have around and keep you from usually sliding off I to oblivion but being totally honest there are many skills that they can not do. they hopefully will remind you to eat since hopefully you are feeding and caring for their bathroom needs. they can't remind you to shower and to self care..but they will love you even if you have not showered for a week.

I have a dog who is a esa. documented by my doctors. he is also a certified therapy dog (as in trained to visit facilities such as hospitals, schools etc)...love the boy dearly but there are many things he does for me that if I am in a bad spot will not get me help. esa's were first designed to get people in to housing with their pets. there is no specific training for them and they get no added bennies.

I list my emergency contacts as none. it is what it is. I do list contacts for the dog in case of emergency so they can place him with the proper folks.

It does not remind you to take your meds on time, We taught our dog she gets a treat at the time we take our meds. She constantly reminds us around 10 she needs her treat. She sits by me/follows me if I'm alone in the house. She can't keep me safe but she does alleviate some of my symptoms. If you do get an animal you may want to train a service dog. I can't care for her on my own though.

If I live on my own I will have a daily nurse, weekly cleaner and live in a small studio. I will probably have a food service like meals on wheels or grocery delivery. We still have to figure out getting to/from dr appointments. So I will not be on my own. I will probably have the abilify shot.

I recently had to put down my service dog due to ailing health. It's broken my heart, and undone so many routines we had. Tablet time, she knew, She needed feeding so I'd remember to eat, she'd need the toilet so I'd have to get up out of bed and outside. Motivated me to exercise. Constant love and touch, smell, sound grounding. Even her snore at night time rather than silence


Now can't I afford another dog and costs associated with training to a service dog level. Very strict in Australia. Same requirements and level of training as a blind guide dog. Cost around $10k if I self train.

My last dog went everywhere. Sat on my chest at dentists appointments, doctors, Pdoc, down street, everywhere. I'm trying to secure a loan to buy a pup and start the 18 month process.

Who do you put down as your advocate, emergency contact? If I put no one, they can do anything to me. I've been institutionalized before for months with no advocate, a very scary place to be.

Thank you all for your replies.

Can you get a community health worker/ case worker that can be your advocate?

I'm so sorry you're feeling so lonely, Underdevelopment! I completely agree with what all the other wise, wonderful posters have already wisely said better than I ever could! I COMPLETEY agree with wath Miguel'smom has already wisely said better than i ever could about contacting a social worker or anyone who works in the field of social working if you can and if you know any! As for reminding yourself to do all the duties, perhaps you can try to put some alarms that will sound when you need to take your meds or anything like that? I'm not sure if that may work but perhaps you can give it a try! I certainly hope you will find someone who will be able to help you! Have you already told your Pdoc and your Doctors that you don't really have anyone taking care f you at the moment? Perhas they know better what to do in cases like this and they will be able to give better advice! Just a thought! Let us know what you decide to to, ok? WE ALL CARE ABOUT YOU! THAT'S A PROMISE! Living alone is certainly hard but you can try to find some pleasureable activities to do when you feel bored! Perhaps you can give it a try if you want to! KEEP BELIEVING IN YOURSELF AND KEEP FIGHTING! YOU'RE MUCH, MUCH STRONGER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE! THAT'S A PROMISE! PLEASE NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! THINGS CAN AND WILL GET BETTER AT SOME POINT! PLEASE BELIEVE THAT! THAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER! IT'S TRUE! IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE! PLEASE KEEP IT UP! PLEASE NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! I hope things will get better soon for you one way or another! Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you and your family, Underdevelopment!