My bipolar C.V.

I may be fairly rigid in my use of controlled substances (other than the ever-increasing pharmaceutical stash in my pill-minder) but I think it is a Really Good Thing. 

Okay, there is no "may be" in my fairly rigid non-use of controlled substances. I had my last drink some time in mid June? Maybe? I may have another one around December. Or maybe not. 

Anyway, back on track here... There seems to be a very strong correlation between bipolar and alcoholism. 

According to some research 14% of people in general will have a problem with alcohol dependence some time in their lives. 50% or more of individuals with bipolar also had an "alcohol use disorder" (I have never heard it called that before.) 

And naturally, it is much more difficult to treat people for both bipolar an alcohol dependence. Outcomes not as good. May worsen symptoms. Cause rapid cycling.Possibly both conditions genetic. Co-morbidity not well understood.  Leads to more and earlier hospitalizations. 

It is one of my principle goals in life not to be hospitalized for bipolar crap. Either the Ups or the Downs. This is what drives my compliance with my meds. My recent attempts to have a regular schedule. A habit of exercise. Better stress management. Fewer things on my plate.

(When people say "You could totally do that!" I don't immediately make plans to jump into whatever new venture they have pointed out.)


And now for a short tangent:

List of Things I Have Done (not necessarily chronological:
babysitter
receptionist
retail salesperson (fabric)
calligrapher (formal fundraising dinner placecards and menus)
camp counselor
camp director international camp
soccer linesman/referee
waterfront director/lifeguard
telemarketer (1.5 days)
data entry specialist
data collection (for a graduate study)
business systems analyst
database programmer
copy editor
copy-center employee
direct-marketing lotions, soaps and cosmetics
photographer (kinda-- refused payment though)
made/sold 

• fleece baby booties
  
• custom bridal veils
• button/joint teddy bears
• felt embroidered ornaments
• patchwork quilts
• bead earrings
• groomsman's vests (made to order)
• bridal gowns (made to order)
• curtains (made to order)

teacher

• band
• orchestra
• private saxophone
• private clarinet
• computer skills
• Japanese
• juggling (which I cannot do myself)
• calligraphy
• sewing
• knitting
• canoeing
• creative problem solving
• basic skills (secondary)
• English as a second language (k-12)
• English as a second language (adult levels 0-7)
• writing

• college readiness (adult)
• child development/academic Skills (college level)

And this only covers things that I have been paid to do. Not my recreational activities or my volunteer-type stuff. I am now exhausted from writing this.

Grateful Crap: that I am not currently doing all these things professionally. Even if I really like a lot of them. And I could totally do them. At great expense.

Equatorial Actions:
took meds (150mg venlafaxine, 450mg bupropion, 100mg lamotrigine)
30 minutes tap

GREY AND RAINY OUTSIDE I NEED TO ADD OUTSIDE TIME TO MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO