Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions

Sounds like you need to print this out and give it to your pdoc. May need to do some tests to rule out anything else first. You might also have what is called a mixed episode of bipolar. There are some really great articles on this site on mixed moods. Just start reading and see where it takes you. Hugs to you!

Don't give up on meds right away. It can take years to find the right combination. I know I stayed depressed for two years before the right meds were in place. Please see your pdoc and talk about other options.

u aint crazy msgina23 i feel the same

Yes, manic depression/bipolar disorder is hereditary. I speak from personal experience, as I am a fourth generation battling this illness. I've suffered for 25 years.

As a parent, you need to know that more often than not, a child may be diagnosed ADHD and they'll throw several other things into that, be wary if it is not fully explained to you. It may be an accurate diagnosis, but it could also be something else entirely. If a doctor isn't listening to you or your intuition is telling you that the diagnosis might be wrong, seek a second opinion, or a third. Many people have to "shop around" until they find the right doctor(s) who isn't afraid to correctly diagnose, as well as medicate if it is truly necessary.

Bipolar has many facets to it, which is why it sometimes takes years for an accurate diagnosis. Schizophrenia is something else entirely. My recommendiation is to get on-line, do as much research as possible, and always research your doctors ahead of time. I make it a habit to ask a doctor's employees whether or not they would go to him/her if they were faced with the same problem(s). That advice has helped me find people that truly care. Most importantly, communicate to your children that this is not, in any way, their fault. I hope this helps.

I've been looking at the posts for days. I'm spending alot of time lately on the computer, and trying to decide where I'm at. I was diagnosed over ten years ago. I was on disability all that time, and I felt so guilty. I involved myself with every volunteer organization that I could and often kept very busy. I know that there has been something wrong eith me, maybe just a pervasive underlying sadness countered by periods of intense focus and acheivement. A year ago, I formulated a plan to get back to work. I went through VESID, and got only limited help, but lost my social security. I didn't care, I was back, so I just used student loans and decided that I would make good up[on my graduation. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA but found that after ten years of disability, I found no good reason to use to explain my employment gap. Now, I am homeless, without meds, and no-one will hire me. On top of that, I feel like crap. I' am (was until this week) trying so hard to keep my head up but I am afraid that I might be failing, I mean curling up. I'm afraid to look at where I'm at and give in to the monster. I have been denying my diagnosis so hard, my step forward is suddenly becoming a nightmare. Please talk to me, I have lost my friends and have no other support really. I cant even discuss this matter with the friend that I see now, because this individual is scared to death of the idea of bipolar, thinking that they(we) are potentially dangerous people. I am a responsible and kind individual and just dont want to be seen by people that way.

I am so sorry you are having such problems. I hate to suggest it, but could you go back on disability so you can get medication and a place to live? Being on disability is not a weakness, it can be a fact of life.

I,m going to try. right now I'm not sharing this with anyone that I know, but I'm feeling pretty hopeless. I'm going through the mo , I'm not going through the motions. I'm shaking and afraid. I was doing so much, so well for so long, I don't know how to or where to start now. I have no plan.and am losing my ability to formulate a new one. I'm lost. Can it be toughed out?

Can it be toughed out? Not if you are saying something like depression is something you can will yourself out of. To really come out of it you probably need medication and therapy. First thing to do is take care of your basic needs like having a place to stay and clothes on your back. Also, getting the help you need to get medications, and hopefully therapy.

Is it normal for me to be so melodramatic? or might i hava a problem? 4 the last 10 years atleast, I know that my emotions have been somewhat overwhelming... I get too angry & hostile ( I don't think twice about physically attacking sum1 twice my size, & sent sum1 to hospital for just that...) I get dilleriously happy 4 small "mercies" & then all of a sudden there are times I start crying for no good reasons for days on end... i hardly sleep when i'm happy, but eat like a pig, & when i'm depressed all i do is sleep, & my stomach hurts 2 much to try to eat. sometimes i'm so sad i cut myself, to give the pain reason. I went all emo on my family the other day and scared my poor daughter how do i explain this to her when I don't even know the answer? I've always been able to cope (mostly through prayer) but now, I'm starting to doubt if every1 experiences life through my emotions. I feel so isolated, and so fake, like who am i anyway? if anybody out there has some insight...please help me shed some light, am I normal???

I have Bipolar I and have had lot of problems with bp depression. ECT has saved my life on a number of occasions and can be very helpful. Unfortunately (for me) the trade-off was very severe and long-term memory loss. This is unusual--most folks have only brief memory loss for the time surrounding these treatment--particularly if the electrodes are placed unilaterally (this is usually what is a done first) Good luck. It is a treatment thAT frequently works when others do not. It also works pretty quickly (after about 3 treatments).

If you are concerned about whether you have bipolar, your first step might be to start seeing a psychologist. If he/she has a concern you may be referred to a psychiatrist for a diagnosis.

Desperate to help a family member fighting bipolar depression. Failing school, taking meds and not taking meds, angry then happy, not truthful with doctor. Over 18 so privacy issues abound...meanwhile this young adult is falling into an abyss, drifting away. We have 3 months before college begins...what do we do?

I was diagnosed with Bipolar I two weeks ago. My husband was diagnosed with Bipolar today. To me this seems like a dangerous combination and I'm so afraid that because of this we are going to continue having problems we've been having. We were both started on medications....I on Lamictal and Seroquel, he on Lithium and Abilify. Do we stand a chance of a happy, "normal" marriage???

Certainly you could continue to have problems unless you take steps to improve your relationship. I would suggest that along with taking medication you should be see a psychologist and potentially have marriage counseling along with individual counseling. The key is, how badly do you want your marriage to work? What are you willing to do to make that happen?

My husband is an abuser. I feel his untreated bipolar disorder is the main cause of his mood swings and his anger. We are both getting separate counseling for this and will begin marriage counseling once we have completed the program we are in for batterers and their victims. I will do anything it takes to see that smile on his face and in his heart that I have seen before. We have just begun learning how to effectively communicate, which is going well. We have both read "The Five Love Languages" which has helped us recognize the way we both perceive and give love. We were totally off on this and are learning how to speak in the languages we recognize. Thanks for your comments and help.

Kunderwood - you and your husband are really an inspiration. The effort you are both putting in is heartwarming. I'm sure it must have felt terrible when you were first dx'd, and to have your husband dx'd a few days later... I cannot imagine what you are going through.
I also truely hope that your husband's abuse is only due to BP left untreated. I too can get very physical when I get angry, but I try direct it at a wall or anything else other than a human. I am still working on my med combo and hope this physical anger will lessen with time
Please look after yourself, being in a somewhat abusive relationship. I really do understand. Don't make excuses for him or his behaviour. Give him a fair chance to improve now that he's on medication, but don't allow the wool to be pulled over your eyes with regards to why he is abusive. He is seeking help and I'm sure an improvement will be inevitable

((HUGS))

I am new to this site. I am Bi Polar ( a rapid cycler) and I am pretty stablized for the most part. I have a tough time with hypomania but me and my doctor are getting me there. I hate when i step on peoples sentences because I get so hypomanic

Lokking forward to being on the site

Butterfly Effect

I have a question. I think I may be bipolar. I seem to have some of the symptoms, and I'm fairly certain it runs in my family, possibly on both sides. I'm 16, which I know is young, but if one of the relatives I believe is bipolar is indeed bipolar (she hasn't been diagonosed), then she started rather young as well (I've heard stories of some of the things she's done, but I don't know her and can't judge for myself as she's estranged). My problem though is getting help, because even if I'm not bipolar, I do know for sure that I have other problems. However, as I'm 16, there's getting parental approval to go see somebody. My dad and I have issues (Both my mom and myself believe he might be bipolar, but even if he isn't he is a horrid person), so I can't talk to him about anything. My dad has created a bad family enviornment, and my mom is emotionally weak because of him. I take care of her in that sense. I've mentioned going to therapy to her before, but she gets very upset because she thinks it's her fault. I can't stand seeing her upset, let alone making her upset. I guess my question is, how do I get help when these issues stand in my way? Thanks for any comments or ideas you may have.

[quote=Angelfire093x; I guess my question is, how do I get help when these issues stand in my way? Thanks for any comments or ideas you may have.[/quote]

I would suggest writing a letter for your mom, so you could let her know what's going on and she has time to take it in before reacting to a face to face conversation. You may even want to see a school counselor. Sorry no one responded to this and feel free to post in the BP forum because it gets viewed more often.

I have no idea what I suffer from as I have been diagnosed with Clincal Depression but I believe I have BP too. I have enormous mood swings where I am vile one minute, thinking horrible thoughts about dying the next, then an hour later I am happy and buzzing around like ive had a good dose of happy pills!! Does anyone know what tests are available to help discover if BP is part of my issue?

Welcome Shen; I would suggest you start tracking your mood and also note what you eat, drink, medication, stress etc. to see if that's triggering the mood swings. I found a good one online at:

http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker

There are tests on this site to take, but in saying that self diagnosis doesn't replace speaking to a mental health professional about your concerns. I hope you find this site supportive.

There are no actual tests for bipolar, only lists of symptoms you can say yes or no to. Would be great if there were a blood test but can only go with symptoms. PsychCentral has a good description of bipolar and the list of possible symptoms. I would check there first... and be sure to see a psychiatrist if you really want to know for sure.

i have bipolar. i take seroquel for it. i was wondering how is this medicine affects anyone else cause i have gained almost 30 pounds since ive been on this medication. is there any other medication for bi polar for the day?

How are you doing on the seroquel? I thought about trying it myself.

need help getting some help