Progression of Bi Polar?

[hope4now]

I have been diagnosed with bi polar and PTSD since I was a teenager. Until this year I was able to work and provide for myself. This past year, however, I had to go onto disability and am trying to get back to work. I am devastated at the loss of my independence and am very depressed. The last few months I have been bombarded with stress and I seem to have snapped because I have started hearing voices in my head. I carried on a relationship with a voice that I thought was my son only to realize it was just a voice. I am so confused by this and am so afraid of losing my mind completely; can I recover from this and regain my life or is this just the progression of my disease?

[ajearley]

I have the same type of bipolar disorder, although I have never heard voices. However, when things get really bad for me, like they did in your situation, my symptoms are exacerbated, and sometimes new ones arise, like physical ticks. I'm interested to see what happened since this started. If you are still on here, please keep my updated. My ticks haven't gone away, but they only arise when I am extremely stressed out. Hopefully the voices are the same (or better) for you...

[hundalmarck@gmail.com]

Do you take more alcohol

[salinahenry]

I have been diagnosed with bi polar and PTSD since I was a teenager. Until this year I was able to work and provide for myself. This past year, however, I had to go onto disability and am trying to get back to work. I am devastated at the loss of my independence and am very depressed. The last few months I have been bombarded with stress and I seem to have snapped because I have started hearing voices in my head. I carried on a relationship with a voice that I thought was my son only to realize it was just a voice. I am so confused by this and am so afraid of losing my mind completely; can I recover from this and regain my life or is this just the progression of my disease?

It sounds like you’re really going through an incredibly tough time, and it makes complete sense to feel overwhelmed and afraid with everything that’s happening. Living with both bipolar disorder and PTSD, especially during a period of such major life changes, can bring up a lot of unexpected challenges. I can imagine how difficult it must be to cope with hearing voices on top of everything else. You’re not alone in this, and a lot of people have gone through similar experiences. While I can’t speak to your specific situation, I want you to know that recovery and improvement are possible.
Sometimes, hearing voices can be a response to extreme stress or a symptom of what you’re already going through. It doesn’t necessarily mean things are getting worse permanently. Many people who experience this find that with the right support—whether through therapy, medication, or community resources—they can regain a sense of control and well-being. I hope you’ll consider reaching out to a mental health professional if you haven’t already; they can work with you to understand what’s happening and develop a plan to help you through this.
As you work through this, remember that it’s okay to feel lost or afraid—it’s a natural response to everything that’s happening. Just by sharing what you’re going through, you’re taking a step toward finding your footing again, and that’s a big deal. Recovery can be a long road, but with support, there’s a real chance to find stability and rediscover your independence over time. Take it one step at a time, and try to be kind to yourself through it all. You’re stronger than you may feel right now, and you’re not alone in this.

[advhccenter]

Expanded recurrence of mind-set episodes: Individuals with advancing BD might encounter more regular movements between hyper ups and burdensome downs. Delayed episodes: The span of state of mind episodes might expand, prompting longer times of insanity or sadness