While serving in the Navy, Randy had mood swings and often felt aggressive or depressed. He experienced a suicidal crisis when his wife went away on travel. It was then that he learned he has bipolar disorder. When he reached out to VA for help, he discovered strategies for managing his bipolar symptoms.
View Video TranscriptRandy:
My name is Randy. I served in the Navy from '79 to '86, what's called a three by six. We were in Portsmouth, Virginia, in Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I went out, got an apartment because my wife was supposed to move with me. She came down, she stayed maybe a week, and then she left, and I tried to commit suicide.
I didn’t want to go back to… on a ship. I didn’t, I missed her. I was just having a real rough time and I wanted to go home to Detroit, and I couldn’t. And I missed my daughter. And then I wound up at the Naval Regional Medical Center for a long time.
When I was released from the hospital, I went to Norfolk Naval Air Station, First Lieutenant Division, and that was basically, it was eight, nine… eight to four job.
To this day, I’m still manic depressive and bipolar. You can be walking down the street, right, and somebody that you’ve never seen in your life and in the back of your mind you know you’ll never see again, call you ugly or they don’t like your pants or they don’t like your shoes. And you will carry that with you for days. I’m not as good as that person. I could be happy, so happy, 30 minutes later I’m down in the dumps for no reason at all.
One day I’ll like you, the next minute I wanna fight you. You know, this… And since I’ve been out of the Navy, four or five times I’ve been in a mental hospital. But see, these were before I knew about the VA Hospital.
I didn’t know about… I could qualify for services through the VA Hospital until I got the job I got now, which is Veteran Services. They taught me tricks through all these years of when I feel myself getting depressed, do something you enjoy. And one of the best things I learned was walking. When I feel myself getting depressed, I walk. I walk a long way.
I’m keeping myself busy and that’s what’s helping. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to say, “Woe Is Me.” There’s tricks of the trade, and the only way to learn those tricks is go to a psychiatrist, therapist. Pick up the phone. Just pick up the phone. Go, go to… no matter what it takes to get down there, go there.
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The first step in addressing your challenges is to acknowledge that gambling has become a problem in your life and recognize that it is possible to make a change. Practice relaxation exercises such as deep breathing to manage stress and urges to gamble. Spend time with supportive people who do not gamble, and talk with your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions that are right for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Gambling page.
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There are ways to prevent yourself from engaging in risky behavior. Plan to avoid situations that might lead to recklessness. For example, leave early or late to avoid rush-hour traffic, or arrange a ride home if you'll be drinking. Talking with your family members, close friends, or a health care provider may help you find support and resources to address your challenges. Learn more steps you can take on our Reckless Behavior page.
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