[lilred3382]

I will first apologize now as this may turn into a longer post than I intend.

For a bit of history I grew up in an environment of every abuse possible from the ages of 4 to 16. I first tried to kill myself at the age around 7, but nothing was done and my parents just laughed it off as nothing serious. I then started to fall into a severe depression around age of 10. Remained in that for years. I dont remember too much of mood swings or details.

The abuse stopped just passed my 16th birthday. I had a court ordered fo mental health, which I broke many of times. Anyways, I was then diagnosed with Major Depression, PTSD, GAD, and an adjustment disorder. I refused medications and things got worse.

Since then I have lots several jobs, been thru two law suits with overuse of credit cards, been arrested a few times, and about to face another lawsuit with a credit card.

I have recently been diagnosed as being bipolar II, but could they be wrong. My friends have been also saying the dx is right as they have for many of years before I even received the diagnosis.I do feel some days that I am, such as today as i am unable to stop crying and shaking, but there are days where I feel that Im not sure, because I cant always describe what is going through my mind or how I feel? I want to avoid medications simply because I dont believe in them. The other thing is I cant really afford to do much as I have no insurance.

Any advice on getting the help that I know I need? Does BP II ever go away? Im sick of crashin my life....

[mommasuesue]

(((((((((((lilred)))))))))))))
I dont know the area you are from but lots of times doctors can help you out by filling out a paper to send to pharmicutical companys to help with meds and usually there are mental health insurance in counties to help with expenses. I hope this helps ask your doctor for help . I have bipolar 2 also along with adjustment and anxiety and attachment disorders and I beleive I have ptsd also . you are not alone here i have received tons of support here !!!

[Special-K]

Well its really unfortunate that you had to experience all that as a child. I experienced abuse as a child as well but not to your extent. Therapy has helped me tremendously & the therapist can help you regarding your hesitation to take prescriptions as well.
Many therapists work on a sliding scale. I have a $1,500 deductible on my insurance plan, I pay for everything even my med's because its subject to the ded.
I pay $30 a session for my therapist & I love her. She doesn't rush me or anything, I feel that she really wants to help me & the money is not her priority.
I suggest you start by searching for a therapist that works off a sliding scale. I found mine on the internet just searching.
All the best to you

[thinker22]

Here is a site that has links to both generic and brand name meds where there are "patient assist" programs where you can get your meds for free if you have no insurance and are unable to pay for them out of pocket (you sometimes have to give them copies of your wages stubs or a tax filing for the previous year):
http://www.needymeds.org/

The meds are listed alphabetically after you click on the left where it says "Brand name drugs" or "Generic drugs".

All you have to do is see your GP doc or a psych doc and they will write the prescription, either you or the doc fills out the form, you mail it off and usually within a couple of weeks you get your meds. I got Wellbutrin, Seroquel, Lamictal, and Risperdone, this way...it was all the brand name too. Absolutely free. That was before I had insurance. They either send the meds to your doctor or your mail box, usually your choice.

I hope this helps.

[justaSeeker]

Bipolar Disorder is considered a disability by SSDI, and is considered a mental disorder. For an adult suffering from Bipolar Disorder, certain effects of the condition can hinder their ability to perform on the job. If a patient suffers from four or more symptoms on the depressive syndrome list, the eligibility would be met for benefits. Symptoms such as difficulty concentrating or thinking, decreased energy, disturbance of sleep, and Anhedonia are assessed during an evaluation. Bipolar disorder can impact the daily functioning of some patients, making job performance suffer and in some cases may prevent the patient from doing what is expected of them on the job. In certain cases, SSDI has deemed certain patients as Disabled

Here is an explanation of Social Security's five-step process to determine if a bipolar disorder patient qualifies for SSDI: http://www.allsup.com/about-ssdi/ssdi-guidelines-by-disability/bipolar-disorder.aspx

Bipolar disorder (manic depression) can become so incapacitating that work is impossible. Therefore, issues with Social Security Disability arise. Found here are resources and information for navigating the difficult process of applying for and receiving disability: http://bipolar.about.com/od/disabili...Disability.htm

[ladylazarus]

I too am bipolar and didn't have insurance. I turned to my states medical assistance benefits through welfare. If you are eligible the insurance is great. It takes a lot of paperwork and patience but it's well worth it. All my appointments with my doc and meds are completely covered by it! My advice is if they turn you down keep trying. They turned me down twice and accepted me on the third try. Good Luck and love

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by lilred3382

Any advice on getting the help that I know I need? Does BP II ever go away? Im sick of crashin my life....

I'm sorry that you went through that as a child, I can relate and I also had my first attempt at 8. I am also diagnosed BP II (diagnosed at 31 and I'm 34 now). I think it's natural to question the diagnosis and what helped me recognize that my diagnosis was correct was reading on bipolar. In saying that there are other mental illnesses that can share symptoms with BP, so that's why I think it's important to educate yourself on the illness to see if it fits for you. I can suggest a great book "Bipolar Breakthrough" by Ronald Fieve. I live in Canada, so i don't have any recommendations on insurance etc., but I will say that if you do have bipolar it doesn't go away.

Looking back on my life I had symptoms as a young child and my illness has gotten progressively worse. For some people that is the pattern. Medication isn't the only part of managing the illness though I would say it's about 60% of the equation for me. What also helps me is eating healthy, sleeping regularly, avoiding alcohol, drugs, exercising and seeing a therapist. I would also suggest tracking your mood. This one is free and is online: http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker. I hope that helps.

[sugahorse1]

Hi there and welcome. You will find great support here, learn lots and get to hear personal experiences.

I'm sorry you went through what you did when you were younger.

Who made your dx of being BP II? I would really recommend seeing a T, as there are a lot of underlying issues that are impacting your life. And BP by no means makes it any easier.
I firmly believe that meds are necessary to treat BP effectively. After all, it is a chemical imbalance, so it needs the correct chemicals to straighten this out.
But as Blue and others have mentioned, lifestyle changes are also necessary.

I'm not sure how the American state medical setups work, but I'm sure some good advice has been given as to how to organise affordable meds. I also battle with the price of meds, and am constantly fighting with my medical aid to pay.
At the end of the day, it is my health though, and I need to take the right steps to allow myself to be healthy and happy.

I hope to hear more from you in the future - welcome again!

[lilred3382]

Thank you to all who replied. Many good ideas, that I will try and see out to gte me fixed. I cant answer questions individually right here but I havent seen many either.

Suga, a psychiatrist in the military dx'd me as bipolar II which in turn made me not make it thru as I was too bad off to even finish.

I was seeing a T but no longer as he made me very angry and I havent talked to him sense, as he told my family what was going on with me. Though it might have been best.

I hope you all have a great day and that today goes better than yesterday.