[Crook32]

My pdoc mentioned to me that I have to be careful because my bipolar could kill me. Has anyone else’s pdoc said that? I am bipolar 2 so no full blown manic episodes but I have been trying to wean off meds but he said I could have very bad mood swings if I did that. We made an agreement that as long as I am working he doesn’t want me dropping any more meds. I am on Lamictal, Clozapine, and Klonopin for psych reasons. I have 6 meds for other health issues. He said if I stay pretty stable for a couple of years he might consider lowering my lamictal.

Anyone else have their pdoc tell you how dangerous your illness is? Ever make deals with them?

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[*Beth*]

The first time I heard someone say that mental illness usually shortens the life span was from a NAMI group facilitator. I was pretty shocked, and couldn't understand why he'd said such a horrible thing. Over the years I've read it and heard it, and in my own experience I can understand now why mental illness *might* shorten life. It's is because of medication side effects that cause things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.

Also, suicidal behavior is sometimes, of course, a serious concern.


So yeah, there are a few reason why BD and other serious mental illness can be considered "deadly."

I'm not sure what you mean by "make deals"...do you mean agreements or contracts about SI?

[~Christina]

Yes I have needed IP many times ( BP I here) . As for BP I or II ? Well yes BP I can give someone dangerous Manic episodes but Bipolar 2 often leaves people dealing with more long term rounds of depression. So both can be Dangerous.

I think the vast majority of people with any mental illness will need some type of medication, often life long. That's nothing to be ashamed of. I have to take a medication for the rest of my life for my Tachycardia

[Aviza]

Never heard it but good cause otherwise I'll be living til forever. My relatives live til 90s and they all smoked and drank. I'm worried about making it 100 or more.

[Crazy Hitch]

Oh wow I didn't know that .......... I wonder if the statistics go down because suicide rates go up?

[Victoria'smom]

Yes, my team use to bargain with me all the time.

[Soupe du jour]

Yes, bipolar disorder puts us at great risk. Certainly my psychiatrists have acknowledged that. And I have been at risk of losing my life on more than a couple occasions in the past, but definitely not so much when I am medication compliant and working hard to maintain my stability.

A lot of people write about SI's. They should always be taken very seriously. My family lost my youngest nephew back in 2017. He was only 24 years old. He had voiced threats many times during his short life. Sometimes after so many one wonders if they are empty threats, but they weren't. Or such danger could even be from something else, such as extreme drinking or drug abuse (or just a severe one-off). Or the disinhibition, impulsivity (and its recklessness), and lack of common sense that comes with mania, severe depression, and/or psychosis. For example, manic people have jumped off bridges thinking they will survive. These are realities in this illness. That's part of why when people use the word "bipolar" casually, that it is frustrating.

Possible trigger:

During the last 4 1/2 years, there would have surely been many many times when my youngest nephew would have been happy to be alive. But he's not. It was that one brief moment of treacherous illness that did him in. Less than a second in time when it became too late to change his mind. That shows how dangerous this illness really is.

BethRags definitely makes a good point regarding the increased vulnerability to diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Definitely some medications can play a part, but also bipolar disorder, itself. Living too high in mania isn't much different than taking cocaine too long. Being too depressed can contribute to being overweight and inactive, which has obvious risks.

[Mountaindewed]

I take meds like they are candy all the time. I often wonder how it was possible I was still alive after a bad night. Part of me thinks there’s some kind of parallel universe where I succeeded in one life but continued on in another universe. I know that sounds crazy but sometimes I just don’t get how I woke up the next day.

Also based on the injections I’m on for my transition, just being on them instantly cuts 5 years out of my life. Since men typically die younger then women. I’m not scared though honestly.

@Crook32:

Better to burn out than to fade away!

It's common to measure the success of a life in longevity but i feel the greatest human to ever live was the late American author David Foster Wallace and he died by his own hand at 46. But not after gifting the world many treasures. I count his life as a spectacular success tho i am sad that he is no longer with us.

It's not the years in your life, it's the life in your years!

Wishing you love and light and success in your struggles!