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Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

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Created on : Friday, March 03, 2006, 12:43:32 pm

Author : DrPhilBoard1

(Original Air Date: 03/07/06) Dr. Phil explores the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. This illness takes its victims on an emotional rollercoaster ride -- from elation to extreme irritability, intense rage, or devastating depression. First, Cathy was diagnosed with Bipolar II, 10 years ago and claims she goes from zero to psycho in 15 seconds. Dr. Phil takes a look at the toll her disorder takes on her two boys, and brings the family together for a dramatic moment of emotional healing. Then, during various manic episodes, Fred has stolen a taxi, crashed into a Starbucks, and climbed to the top of a church. He hears voices and believes that movie stars like Denzel Washington and Robert De Niro are talking to him through their movies. Still, Fred thinks he’s ready to move out of his parents’ house and live on his own for good … but should his family let him? Talk about the show here.

Find out what happened on the show.

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toniarenee

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March 7, 2006, 10:22 am PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: toryshell

hi i saw your post and wondered wher in va u live .. also who is the good dr your sis found.. my hubby has bipolar and we have gone tooo sooo many in our area..thank you ,tory

I, also, am suffering from Bipolar Disorder, but not to the extremes that was displayed on the show today. I'm on my third marriage and, thank God, my husband is trying to be patient and understanding. We've been married for only two years -- and that is longer than my other two marriages combined!! Anyway, my psychiatrist and therapist told me that it is hereditary. From what I've shared about my mom, God rest her soul, they firmly believe that she may have suffered from the same disorder but had no means available at that time for help. I'm currently on meds, Effexor and Seroquel. They seem to be helping but I'm still tired most of the time and would still rather stay in my bedroom watching TV than out in the "real world". At least I'm not throwing "insane" fits anymore or contemplating suicide as much. I keep believing that eventually, it will continue to get better as long as I continue my therapy and meds. The thing that upsets me most is that I'm afraid my two older sisters suffer from this disorder, also. However, they are the unfortunate ones that would never dare admit such a thing. So, while they suffer, I'll continue down my path of self preservation and happiness. (Hopefully).. =)

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imgetnit2

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March 7, 2006, 10:31 am PST

is she really bi-polar?

okay, just caught dr phil via tivo............is that chic really bi-polar or just plain angry??? i have had fits like hers most of my life and fight myself to this day not to let them out and behave like that..........but i don't believe it's bi-polar........i think my internal tapes are generally negative (learned from child hood experiences and reinforced by my choices thereafter) and it spirals down from there. I have children.......so i know how easy you can go from plain normal to plain insane.........but, what we do with the plane insane is up to us......... am i bi-polar?? or was this woman looking to blame something for her mental attitude illness??

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emilyce

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March 7, 2006, 10:31 am PST

diff. b/w bipolar and dep.

What is the difference b/w bipolar disorder and depression? Can you, for instance, experience the physical symptoms of depression, but actually have bipolar disorder?

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paris38

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March 7, 2006, 10:37 am PST

Different types of bipolar

I have a super good friend who is bipolar. The thing I noticed 3 days before she had a episode, was inappropiate things she would blurt out in public to total strangers, not like her at all. Then 3 days later she called her family complaining that she could not fall asleep. When they got to her house she was delusional, thinking she was god. She was put in a mental hospital and is out now. She went through so many med ajustments and is now happy, were still good friends. It is sad though to see how many of her so called friends dumped her. She has been stable for 14 years. I also have a sister in law who has had this for about 12 years. She has it differently where it is more of a high and low for her. The frustrating thing is she just self medicates with pot. Will not listen to anyone thinks all meds unless . I am hoping that the show today will be a positive one instead of the negative clips I have seen.. My friend does not tell people what she has because of the stigma attached to it. Will This educate the public and be positive? Lets hope so.

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toryshell

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March 7, 2006, 10:40 am PST

thank you

Quote From: benshope

Hi Tory,

I live in Gloucester. The Dr. my sister has is Dr, Newhouse and is located in Kilmarnick. I go to every visit with her, which is weekly right now. He is not the type of Dr. that tells you to come back in a month to see how the meds are working. He wants to know if you have any side effects right away and does not want to see you in a drugged state. I have called him with concerns about my sister, and he will do anything to help. I have a lot of respect for him. My sisters meds are still now where they need to be, but he will not give up and promises that they will find the right meds for her.

My sister lived in NY and has had her Dr.'s there tell her she just had to give the medication time and has been hospitalized on several occasions. Not once has she received the care or concerned that Dr. Newhouse has shown her.

I wish you all the best, and I know that it is difficult at times. My prayers are with you and your husband. Please let me know how it goes, Debbie

thank you for the reply i will take the number down..name i mean and look him up we don't live that far from glouster that is near willamsburg right??my hubby is on depakote and provigel the depakte is a small dosage and the dr here is tell me it is way to small but he haers something differnet he has even accused me of trying to poison him.. and conspire with his dr. it is such a night mare also we can't get app to see his dr un till like a month &1/2 out and then we only get 15 min..again a nin=ght mare. so ty again i will look this dr up and try to get an app..for him...your sister is so blessed to have you and please all prayer welcome and i will do the same for you.. at this point that is where my hope lies.. amen

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tinadragon

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March 7, 2006, 10:41 am PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: glpride

That is one thing I never could understand, is anyone depressed hurting their children. I have felt on the verge of insanity and no return, but always kept that sanity long enough to go to the hospital. I knew when to call and have someone get my kids.

I have been diagnosed with Boderline Personality Disorder, BiPolar and now ADD. I am almost 45 years old and fortunately my children are grown young men. I have the guilt of feeling like I cheated them out of their childhood because I was always in and out of hospitals. They did not know when they came home from school if mom was going to be their or someone else. But I know I did everything in my power to keep them safe and put them first and that is the best I could do sometimes.

So I can't comprehend this. I hate myself and remind myself of that daily, but I love my boys and loved them enough to fight mentally for one more second or minute. I would hit myself, cut myself, hit brick walls till I couldn't lift my arm anymore.

I of all people should understand depression, but this I just cannot. I know it is hard to fight when the fight is mental. I fight everyday to stay alive, sane and try to function, but severe depression does not lash out physically on others. Depression is not wanting to be alive let alone get out of bed. I will stay in my house not even walk outside for weeks if it were not for my partner. I just feel that someone with that much anger is suffering from something else. I hope they find out what it is for the people who have children and suffer, and an effective treatment is found.

Best to All

People that are depressed don't do those things. People that are in the MANIC stage do.

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toryshell

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March 7, 2006, 10:51 am PST

i don't think they know

Quote From: toniarenee

I, also, am suffering from Bipolar Disorder, but not to the extremes that was displayed on the show today. I'm on my third marriage and, thank God, my husband is trying to be patient and understanding. We've been married for only two years -- and that is longer than my other two marriages combined!! Anyway, my psychiatrist and therapist told me that it is hereditary. From what I've shared about my mom, God rest her soul, they firmly believe that she may have suffered from the same disorder but had no means available at that time for help. I'm currently on meds, Effexor and Seroquel. They seem to be helping but I'm still tired most of the time and would still rather stay in my bedroom watching TV than out in the "real world". At least I'm not throwing "insane" fits anymore or contemplating suicide as much. I keep believing that eventually, it will continue to get better as long as I continue my therapy and meds. The thing that upsets me most is that I'm afraid my two older sisters suffer from this disorder, also. However, they are the unfortunate ones that would never dare admit such a thing. So, while they suffer, I'll continue down my path of self preservation and happiness. (Hopefully).. =)

i hope that you get the right meds and that the derpesion part goes away soon. the reason your sisters don't know is they don't want to no or have any one else no.. it is a stigma i was afaride to wright into the dr phil show i don't want my hubby to lose his job he is realy good at what he does and if this got to the compay via the insurance company or the dr phil show they would find a reason to fire him and he would spirl donw into god only knows where.. my hubbby work alone and his job is perfict for him he doen't indanger him self and or others and it keeps him accountabl in a way that i defantly couldn't do.. there are random drug test.. and defantly no drinking so those are things bipolars use to self medacate.. it stops the raceing thoughts and also if your derpessed i guess you would try drugs to get happy. no the leagal ones and the legal one the dr perscribe are such a crap shot as you are experancing ..2 of the meds that he has taken in the past have been taken off the market..the good thing is he doen;t relize it.. if he did he would not take any thing ever again and have a good reason.. and i would have to leave then..so stay the coures and get well.. you deserve a good life and i belive you will have one..it take time a lot of time...

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rahrah

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March 7, 2006, 11:02 am PST

financial burden

Quote From: liatsunami

I definately know what you're talking about. I turn 25 this month which means I'm off my dads insurance and I'm not sure HOW I'm going to pay for my medications. I'm going to start doing freelance writing once I get my e-lance account up and running, so I'm hoping to bring in some $ that way. For me I have severe narcolepsy so I'm usually only ablet o stay awake 2-3 hours at a time, so a normal job is simply out of the question. That medication and my anti-siezure medication are nearly $400.00 a piece, then I have my thyroid medication (a cheap $30.00), and my anti-depressant/anti anxiety medication which is $159.00. None of these problems are things I did to myself, but I learned a long time ago that I just have to keep moving foreward. If it means I have to give up things, so be it. It isn't fair, but life....well it never was, and never will be. You can't regret what is.

For me stress aggravates most of these conditions and believe me for being 24 I have a LOT more than the average person that age.

Not to be a downer but sometimes all you can really do is be alive, and that's the best you can hope for.

i am new to this web site. i just felt like i had to write something. i feel your pain about the financial burden of it all. i am a 32 year old stay at home mom and we live paycheck to paycheck. we have decent insurance, but as stated before, just to go to some therapist on your list is not always good enough. i've been in therapy before with an "in-network" doc and it just didn't do it for me. then i had a couple of "good years" and didn't think i need it. now, i think i need a heckuva a lot and i don't have the finances necessary for it.

i was diagnosed with clinical depression when i was 25. after watching today's show, i'm wondering if i'm not bipolar. i would love to have some of the tests done that the brain center and dr. lawlis performed. i went to the web sites of both to see what cost might be involved with these tests. it seems to be around $7000. nevermind that i live nowhere near where i would have to go to get these tests done. i would like to know what average joe could afford that. it's insane. i'm not saying it's not worth it...like i said, i would love to do it just to find out for sure once and for all what's wrong with me.

i agree that stress does not help the situation and right now we have enough stress on us as it is. it's hard going from two paychecks to one and adding a third mouth to the group.

anyway, enough bad talking...i wish there were a simpler way to find everything out that we needed to know to care for ourselves better.

good luck to you all...

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oneofmany

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March 7, 2006, 11:09 am PST

Getting Back on my Feet

I always knew there was something wrong with me. It was not until after the birth of my first son in 1996 that I was diagnosed as Bipolar II.

I was not able to work and I went through HELL trying to find the right combination of medicine to stop the rapid cycling I was experiencing.

Ultimately my marriage fell apart (so much for in sickness and in health!) and I was treading water trying to take care of myself and my children.

Now, 4 years after my divorce, I have found the right combination of Lithium and Geodon work for me. I am back to work, I take care of my kids, and I own and take care of my own home.

Establishing new relationships has been difficult, but I agree with Dr. Phil in that I'd rather be healthy alone than miserable with someone else.

I was angry when I saw the promotion for the show today. I thought the promotion was very extreme and I worried that people would get the wrong impression of people suffering from Bipolar disorder. Now that I have watched the show, I do think Dr. Phil did a good job, but he needs to talk more about medications and the huge spectrum or range of disorder people may suffer.

I'd like to speak with other people on their thoughts on today's show.

Thank you for listening to me and if you or a loved one suffers from Bipolar my thoughts are with you and you are in my prayers.

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ragdoll

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March 7, 2006, 11:13 am PST

Please help me to understand

How is bi- polar diagnosed? It seems that it could be one of those diagnoses used also as a sort of miscelaneous lable. Are there degress of bi polar? I belive I have a wrong diagnosis. I do not hear voices or fly into rages and hit people. I have been paranoid. Once I thought my hubby was trying to poison me and that I was under surveliance. Both of which I realize are not rational.

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