[O-Dawg]

Well I guess mental illness runs in my family. My brother got diagnosed with Bipolar in December. I always knew he got depressed a lot and went through periods of being all over the place and he always cried a lot. But I guess I never thought about bipolar because I never really knew much about it. But it's official now.

In a way I'm glad because I have family to share things with. But he kind of took it pretty hard but I honestly think he is doing better now that he knows he's not alone. He used to think he was weird and he'd get down on himself about not "taking it like a man". So he's definitely feeling like he has a good excuse now for being emotional.

The only problem now is meds. I have never gone on meds and I am a Schizophrenic! I never get violent though, but I do have some pretty bad attacks sometimes. I am older, so I have been able to fight those who try to tell me I need to go on drugs. My brother is still in high school and now that his teachers and principal found out, they are really pressuring him to keep seeing a therapist. He really doesn't want to, because he's taking after me. I mean, the only reason he got diagnosed is because he got so depressed one time that he wasn't eating anything and we got scared. He knows that if he sees a therapist, he is going to be put on meds. Plus, the school is concerned that if he doesn't, he might be a threat to other students or that the bipolar will interfere with his school work.

Anybody's thought on this would be appreciated! Thanks

[cocoabeans]

Meds aren't so bad. They can help. Why suffer needlessly?

[O-Dawg]

Because we don't believe in them. Well, at least I don't. I don't like the idea of harsh chemicals running through my bloodstream. I don't believe that drugs actually correct an imbalance, they only control it. My brother kind of looks up to me and feels the same way. He knows I can manage without pills so he wants to do the same.

[cocoabeans]

That's not logical.

[BuggsBunny]

I agree with Cocoa. There is nothing wrong with meds, and a T might actually help him get thru some of the stressors of being in high school and the stigma of being bp. It sounds like word is already getting around. It's not an easy combo, i can tell you that!

It's wonderful that you are there for him, and your own meds are up to you, but you have to take the responsibility of being the guide and mentor to your younger brother. Encourage him to do what is best for him, not just follow your path. Remind him that your diseases are not the same and he cannot base his choices on what you do.

He can receive therapy with no meds I am sure, therapists don't prescribe meds. However if he is all over the place, maybe some meds would be a good place to start. Bipolar can be extremely hard to get under control. It's not as if, if he went the med route to start that it would have to be for life. Meds could help him get to a place of stability so he could actually figure out his patterns, triggers, routine, ect. Pretty important stuff if you want to get the Bipolar under some type of control.

[O-Dawg]

Originally Posted by BuggsBunny

I agree with Cocoa. There is nothing wrong with meds, and a T might actually help him get thru some of the stressors of being in high school and the stigma of being bp. It sounds like word is already getting around. It's not an easy combo, i can tell you that!

It's wonderful that you are there for him, and your own meds are up to you, but you have to take the responsibility of being the guide and mentor to your younger brother. Encourage him to do what is best for him, not just follow your path. Remind him that your diseases are not the same and he cannot base his choices on what you do.

See that's the thing. He doesn't really think for himself. He is always asking other people what to do. I am kind of the same way, just not as bad. I'm not good at being a guide. Personally, I just hate drugs of all kinds, so I'm naturally going to tell him that I think they're a bad idea. I'm afraid they're going to ruin him - make him a different person. I know it doesn't happen all the time, but it happened to my friend. When she went on meds, she was only on them for 4 months and she became not herself. It's been 3 years now since she went off them and she's finally recovering. Meds scare me...I mean really really scare me. It scares me to think of anyone I'm close to going on them. I don't care if it is logical or not! I told you one horror story but I have more and I'm scared of something happening to him...worse than just having bipolar...yeah, by going on meds!

[Moose72]

Bipolar without meds can end in death. Period.

I am confused about your post, or better, what you would like thoughts on. Is he seeing a therapist now? Who diagnosed him? You didn't make any mention of a psychiatrist. Did he see a psychiatrist?

[venusss]

Originally Posted by O-Dawg

See that's the thing. He doesn't really think for himself. He is always asking other people what to do. I am kind of the same way, just not as bad. I'm not good at being a guide. Personally, I just hate drugs of all kinds, so I'm naturally going to tell him that I think they're a bad idea. I'm afraid they're going to ruin him - make him a different person. I know it doesn't happen all the time, but it happened to my friend. When she went on meds, she was only on them for 4 months and she became not herself. It's been 3 years now since she went off them and she's finally recovering. Meds scare me...I mean really really scare me. It scares me to think of anyone I'm close to going on them. I don't care if it is logical or not! I told you one horror story but I have more and I'm scared of something happening to him...worse than just having bipolar...yeah, by going on meds!

It depends how bad is he doing. I think some people can manage without meds and if they can, it is better to do that way. And since when teachers had a say about what people put in their bodies?

It will be hard to find a therapist who will not push him to see a psych and be put on meds, but try to find one. They can help to learn him to manage and deal with his life.

Don't rule out the possibility of getting some chem help if it gets really bad, though. It doesn't have to be for life either, just to overcome the bad hump.

I think you should check out the Icarus Project (theicarusproject.net) - they have a community too and there is a lot of people who do the med free route, so you are gonna get more advice there on this subject.

[argv]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

It depends how bad is he doing. I think some people can manage without meds and if they can, it is better to do that way. And since when teachers had a say about what people put in their bodies?

It will be hard to find a therapist who will not push him to see a psych and be put on meds, but try to find one. They can help to learn him to manage and deal with his life.

Don't rule out the possibility of getting some chem help if it gets really bad, though. It doesn't have to be for life either, just to overcome the bad hump.

I think you should check out the Icarus Project (theicarusproject.net) - they have a community too and there is a lot of people who do the med free route, so you are gonna get more advice there on this subject.

I can understand, I hate taking drugs too. However, since I'm assuming you have never tried them, believe me, it's a whole different (and nicer) world when you take medication for your imbalance. I know you can "manage life" without them, I could not take them, but slowly and surely I would destroy myself - maybe quickly.

Meds kinda take the mental 'fuzz' away so you can see more clearly, make more rational decisions, and generally live a constructive and semi-normal life. They don't inhibit your creativity much, except that I notice my music gets a little happier, but that's kindof a good thing, because most people don't want to hear straight depressing music. haha

Just my 2 cents, that you get for free.