Health Diaries > Bipolar Disorder > Handcuffed to the Roller Coaster
November 22, 2004
Physical Injury and Psychology
It doesn't take much to make you depressed. I sprained my ankle good yesterday, and I'm sitting here in a splint with a pair of crutches. I'm supposed to go to my new job tomorrow and get my uniforms and job assignment, and I can barely hobble.
Of course, the first thing that leapt into my mind is, they'll probably decide to fire me because I can't work. It's surprising, how quickly your bipolar mind takes over and foresees the worst possible outcome for any event. I had to spend several minutes arguing with myself, telling my silly mind that of course, they wouldn't fire me on account of an accident, since I'd be back on my feet within a week.
That's the way of it with bipolar. It takes the bad and instantly makes it worst. If there's something bad that can happen, your bipolar mind runs with it. David Burns calls this "fortune telling" in his excellent book "Feeling Good".
Well, I'm off to take more aspirin for my aching ankle. I'm feeling better now than I was yesterday, and able to walk a little better. I should be okay by tomorrow. It's only a sprain. It's not the end of the world.
Posted by Susan on November 22, 2004 5:52 PM
