Hi,
First I would like to say, HELP!!
Sorry, that's just what I feel like shouting right now.
I have two anxiety disorders plus chronic depression and a sleeping disorder. My brother has Bipolar, and needless to say, our disorders clash! I'm VERY sensitive right now because of my depression and when he gets "mad" I feel so awful and spiral into deeper depression. I'm sure things I do due to my disorders and problems affect his bipolar also.
I'm concerned that he doesn't think he has bipolar. He won't give me a straight answer, but I can tell by the way he acts, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't think he has it. He used to. He went to the doctor for it, got on some medicine, got off because it made him a "zombie", then decided not to get on any medication because he was afraid it would make him lose his creativity. He wants to make video and computer games, so that's important to him. But, how I wish he would get on some medicine or do SOMEthing! Our mom has Alzheimer's and gets upset also when he gets "mad", so things are just a mess and very stressful.
Can anyone tell me what makes a bipolar person "mad"? He has told us he's not mad at US.....but he still bites our heads off sometimes. He doesn't appear to have manic episodes. He doesn't do wild things. I don't understand it. Does something set off a bipolar sufferer and then they suddenly feel really angry? What are they angry at? It seems like I do things (not on purpose, of course) to make him angry, but I have no idea if it's me or something else. I wonder what it could be?? Is there any way to know? Can I help in any way?
By the way, I know it's very hard on a bipolar sufferer - please don't think I'm not saying that. This is just my side of things. And I'm also going through a very difficult time in my life, have no friends except online (and none who would understand this), and I feel the need to vent. I hope venting is accepted here.
Thanks!