Replies to 'Bipolar Disorder'

Quote From: ucimhappy

Hello, I've been pondering the show on Bipolar, in fact I taped it and reviewed it with the same reaction.  First I feel getting information out to the public is important regarding bipolar or any mental illness for that matter.  But I do believe that this show did not explain many issues, those of us must endure to cope.  The endless trial and error with medications and endless therapy.  It is not supriseing that many of us give up on the medical professionals as well as giving up on our own lives.  The financial burden that this illness puts upon our families.  The attitude of society in general regarding this illness.  We can't hold jobs.  Our family life is in disarray.  Our children suffer.  We push away the very people that we need in our lives to survive.  Dr. Phil's show just seemed to enhance the gap between us and our communities.  I would hurt myself before I physically hurt anyone.  Yes, the verbal abuse is there.  The mood swings, depression episodes and the out of control episodes happen at a whim for no reason at all.  It makes us angry.  We are not given answers as to why this is happening to us.  This show will make more people afraid of us.  How many will think that we just don't follow through with medication and therapy.  I have been on more medications than I can count.  I have continued therapy for 15 years.  I have stopped my medication only once when I lost support from the state which lead to hospitalization and ECT's.  Drastic and expensive mesures just to continue on the same road.   My medications are over $500.00 a month.  I see a therapist 1x a week and have been hospitalized more times than I can count.  I live on social security disability, my husband can only make so much and if he makes more than the limited amount we lose all help financially.  There is no jobs to be had, with a high school education, in a small tourist industry that will make the kind of money needed for my health care. I'm so upset that these issues were not brought out in the show.  I'm upset that the real fact is most of us are left on our own.  Our family members have all but given up on us.  We are feared.  The stigma is overwhelming.  The financial burden is enough to put a "normal" person over the edge.  Why would anyone question our thoughts and sometimes actions of suicide when there is not much hope.  It is a living hell to live with this disease. There are issues of other illness we suffer.  Thyroid disease, high blood pressure, panic attacks, high stress, anxiety attacks, insomina.  There is the problem of medications side effects that are sometimes worse than the disorder.  The medical profession is still in the dark on the causes and the cure.  There is not enough money going into research.  The government put restraints on help for us.  We are uninsurable in the private sector.  Our family members avoid us as well as "friends".  Most of us are treated by doctors and professionals that are not at top of their profession.  We frankly can't afford the best and medicare and medicaid will not pay for the best.  What are we to do?  Dr. Phil's show could have and should have pointed out all the walls we run into in order to get good care.  the endless trial and error of the medications we must take, side effects, the financial burden, and the stigma that is attached to this disease not to mention the fact that there is not cure.  I do not beat my children, I take my medications, I go to therapy every week and I still live in a black hole.  I'm still suicidal many days.  And I do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I did not ask for this disorder.  But I'm asking for compassion and caring from my communtity, family and friends.  I need help from my state and federal government and all have let me down.  I need better health care that is affordable, informed and up to date with the advances in this illness.  These issues should have been raised in the airing of this show.  It should not be all about ratings in the show biz industry.  This is a serious life threatening diesase that affects so many people and families.  I would ask that there would be a follow up show pointing out all the aspects of this horrible mental illness.  Am I the only one who feels this way.  This is important for all of us whom suffer any mental illness.  Please put all the issues out there. 

Quote From: ucimhappy

Hello, I've been pondering the show on Bipolar, in fact I taped it and reviewed it with the same reaction.  First I feel getting information out to the public is important regarding bipolar or any mental illness for that matter.  But I do believe that this show did not explain many issues, those of us must endure to cope.  The endless trial and error with medications and endless therapy.  It is not supriseing that many of us give up on the medical professionals as well as giving up on our own lives.  The financial burden that this illness puts upon our families.  The attitude of society in general regarding this illness.  We can't hold jobs.  Our family life is in disarray.  Our children suffer.  We push away the very people that we need in our lives to survive.  Dr. Phil's show just seemed to enhance the gap between us and our communities.  I would hurt myself before I physically hurt anyone.  Yes, the verbal abuse is there.  The mood swings, depression episodes and the out of control episodes happen at a whim for no reason at all.  It makes us angry.  We are not given answers as to why this is happening to us.  This show will make more people afraid of us.  How many will think that we just don't follow through with medication and therapy.  I have been on more medications than I can count.  I have continued therapy for 15 years.  I have stopped my medication only once when I lost support from the state which lead to hospitalization and ECT's.  Drastic and expensive mesures just to continue on the same road.   My medications are over $500.00 a month.  I see a therapist 1x a week and have been hospitalized more times than I can count.  I live on social security disability, my husband can only make so much and if he makes more than the limited amount we lose all help financially.  There is no jobs to be had, with a high school education, in a small tourist industry that will make the kind of money needed for my health care. I'm so upset that these issues were not brought out in the show.  I'm upset that the real fact is most of us are left on our own.  Our family members have all but given up on us.  We are feared.  The stigma is overwhelming.  The financial burden is enough to put a "normal" person over the edge.  Why would anyone question our thoughts and sometimes actions of suicide when there is not much hope.  It is a living hell to live with this disease. There are issues of other illness we suffer.  Thyroid disease, high blood pressure, panic attacks, high stress, anxiety attacks, insomina.  There is the problem of medications side effects that are sometimes worse than the disorder.  The medical profession is still in the dark on the causes and the cure.  There is not enough money going into research.  The government put restraints on help for us.  We are uninsurable in the private sector.  Our family members avoid us as well as "friends".  Most of us are treated by doctors and professionals that are not at top of their profession.  We frankly can't afford the best and medicare and medicaid will not pay for the best.  What are we to do?  Dr. Phil's show could have and should have pointed out all the walls we run into in order to get good care.  the endless trial and error of the medications we must take, side effects, the financial burden, and the stigma that is attached to this disease not to mention the fact that there is not cure.  I do not beat my children, I take my medications, I go to therapy every week and I still live in a black hole.  I'm still suicidal many days.  And I do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I did not ask for this disorder.  But I'm asking for compassion and caring from my communtity, family and friends.  I need help from my state and federal government and all have let me down.  I need better health care that is affordable, informed and up to date with the advances in this illness.  These issues should have been raised in the airing of this show.  It should not be all about ratings in the show biz industry.  This is a serious life threatening diesase that affects so many people and families.  I would ask that there would be a follow up show pointing out all the aspects of this horrible mental illness.  Am I the only one who feels this way.  This is important for all of us whom suffer any mental illness.  Please put all the issues out there.