Is it really enough?

[andibarton]

I've been diagnosed with depression bipolar I and borderline  personality disorder... I'm on only 20mg Celexa and 5mg Abilify... I've only been on medication for the first time in my life for the last 5 weeks... plus seeing therapist every week... is there anything else I can do?

[Jaquta]

My advice would be about compliance.  Take the meds and attend therapy.  The medication may need adjusting at some point.  For now, go with what is working for you and what helps make you feel good.

I think stepping back can sometimes be helpful to allow you to process all that is going on.  It's natural to want to do everything humanly possible to get well but you also need to be mindful of the bigger picture.  Don't burn yourself rushing for a quicker recovery.  There is a process for these things.

[Peter Forster]

I concur with all that lindahand had to say.

I would add two other practices that I have found can be helpful -

1. Some form of daily meditation (mindfulness meditation is a good one, Google it for some good descriptions; or a yoga practice).
2. Keep track of your mood and sleep over time.

You can see a couple of videos I made about these topics at these two locations -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plNsh97hTEo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn8PnHrvBRY

Oh, and don't accept the idea that you have to have a limited life.

[lindahand]

The typical. Eat right, exercise, try to reduce your stress. Exercise is a biggy because of the endorphines it releases. I know it is really hard to exercise when you are depressed. Even a walk around the block helps, or parking your car far away from the door.

The other thing that helps me that you are probably working on with your therapist is social rhythms. Waking up at the same time, eating at the same time, going to bed at the same time. These things really help a bipolar brain function.

An excellent book is The Bipolar Survival Guide. There is a new edition so I believe it has 2011 information.For the borderline Dialetic Therapy is supposed to be really good.

And breath. Being newly diagnosed is tough. There are a lot of conflicting emotions. One part of you is happy to finally know what is wrong, and part of you is probably grieving the loss of 'normal'. (not that there is a such thing as normal - but there is the illusion/dream)

There are specific forums for bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder on this site that may be useful. Sometimes it is nice to ask questions to someone who knows what it is like to live with a MI.