[Duckie]

My boyfriend was recently diagnosised as bipolar. He started a new mood stabilizing medication in the last week and a half and it has had interesting results. On one hand, his mood does seem to be stabilizing but on the other hand he seems to be more manic than ever. I really love him, have been best friends with him for 7 years and really want to support him as he is getting better, but it is really taking its toll on me physically and mentally, so I guess I'm just looking for some hope and support. I know that we are just a few short weeks from diagnosis but I worry already that he may not get better, that his moods may not stablize. If there are people with successful treatment stories or suggestions I would love to hear them.

Thanks everyone!

[rossiv46]

Unfortunately it takes time. Sometimes they have to change the dosage or add or change the medication. Many of us have taken several types of medications just to get the ones that work. I realize it's tough and all I can say is hang in there.
Hope things work out .

[Clinte89]

What the person above said is dead on it takes time. I've been dealing with it for a year now trying to stabilize. It will work out just give it time.

[faerie_moon_x]

There are over 400 combinations of meds (and that was when I was diagnosed in 2009,) and that is what my psychologist told me. So it takes time. Plus it is good to be in therapy and not just taking meds. So a psychiatrist for the meds and the psychologist or therapist for the talk therapy.

Having someone there who cares is a big thing. Not everyone has that, or they have someone who cares but who isn't interested in dealing with the illness (or believing in it.)

Another key is routin. It's super important to have a routine without a lot of changes. Also to get proper sleep is important. Not sleeping or sleeping too much can be triggering. Also a healthier diet is a good idea, and an exercise routine even just going for walks. Those things may not sound like they help but they are a huge help, because bipolar is a chemical disorder of the body, taking good care of your body helps.

[Duckie]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

There are over 400 combinations of meds (and that was when I was diagnosed in 2009,) and that is what my psychologist told me. So it takes time. Plus it is good to be in therapy and not just taking meds. So a psychiatrist for the meds and the psychologist or therapist for the talk therapy.

Having someone there who cares is a big thing. Not everyone has that, or they have someone who cares but who isn't interested in dealing with the illness (or believing in it.)

Another key is routin. It's super important to have a routine without a lot of changes. Also to get proper sleep is important. Not sleeping or sleeping too much can be triggering. Also a healthier diet is a good idea, and an exercise routine even just going for walks. Those things may not sound like they help but they are a huge help, because bipolar is a chemical disorder of the body, taking good care of your body helps.

I read a lot about sleep routines being really important as well as diet and exercise. Any suggestions for how you help someone develop those things? Even suggesting those kind of changes right now can end up in a fight. Is it just something we start to introduce as the medications start making things more even? And thank you very much, your post is really helpful, I really appreciate it

[Duckie]

Originally Posted by rossiv46

Unfortunately it takes time. Sometimes they have to change the dosage or add or change the medication. Many of us have taken several types of medications just to get the ones that work. I realize it's tough and all I can say is hang in there.
Hope things work out .

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it! Do you know how long is an appropriate time to wait to determine if a medication is working or not? Is 30 days reasonable or does it take longer than that to determine if something is working?

[ambitious guy]

thats completely right