Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

I had a sister diagnosed with Bi-polar.  She had always been very difficult to get along with.  She was mean and rude one moment and the absolute sweetest sister the next moment.  We never knew what would set her off, it was always like walking on eggshells when I was around her.  She finally committed suicide almost 4 years ago.  She had made several prior attempts,  and after taking all her meds for her Bi-Polar disorder she died.  She left a suicide note blaming me for her death as we were not speaking at the time of her death.  She blamed me most of our lives for a lot of her problems.  I have to admit I fell for it for a long time and then I finally realized it was the sickness and really not my sis that was trying to make me feel so bad.  I have to admit the thought of her suicde and her blaming me was a very difficult thing to get over.  Her daughter is still not speaking to me.  Somedays I'm not sure I am over her death and it is still painful to think about.  Watching the show today brought everything back once again.  I so hope Dr Phil can help the people on his show today.  My prayers are with them and their families.............Warm Regards, Katherine

Actually, seeing only one doctor, and telling him that you read up on BiPolar and that you know you have it, and having that doctor pretty much just give you meds and label you....makes me wonder a heck of a lot more than I've already. 

  

She has not chosen wrong in her friendships, I care about her, which is why I wrote this message. 

  

Be good to yourself, love yourself and stand up for yourself - these are things we should live by, and she has lost her way.  This is not BiPolar. 

Dear One... 

 Have you gone to the local mental health officials in your area? Most have programs of patient drug assistance IF YOU ASK....best to drop your anger when speaking to them. I found out the hard way through the maze. I went to Emergency Room and did a voluntary committment into state mental hospital. (Suicidal) then I took a three week vacation to get balanced compliments of our state psych ward. From there I was assigned a mental health care plan and psychatrist in my area. YOU have to follow the plan. Ask questions. Be upfront with your needs and financial situation. They will HELP you. Move to Alleghany County in North Carolina, Sparta and you can get help here if you cant find it there. Your mental health is imperative. I hope you make good choices and stop being a victim of helplessness. Bless you. A Bi Polar Bear 

I don't know if this will help but here is a web site of a government funded program that has helped me alot!!!! It is in St.petersburg, FL , it may not be in your area but in can be a start, best of luck to you, www.sccmh.org, it stands for Suncoast Center for Mental Health.   Christine

It is very clear to me that Cathy is nothing more than a miserable, lazy, and hateful mother.  She is just using the bipolar as an excuse to act this way.  Now that she has justification from the Dr. Phil show, she is really going to use it even more to her advantage and she will get much worse.  If she wanted to, she would be seeking treatment until she found something that works.  Again, If she wanted to.  But then she wouldn't be able to use it as an excuse.  I can see right through her.  I wonder if she really has borderline personality disorder instead of bipolar disorder?  And who, when and where did she get this diagnosis?  Did anyone from the show check into this?  She just feels sorry for herself and this is the justification for it.  I am worried for those kids.  If she cared about them, she would get help.  But she obviously doesn't because she is too self centered.  BIPOLAR MY ---!!!!

I agree with the previous person. Please take your message off the board or retract it. Many of us are desperate for a "cure" and will try just about anything. Your advice is definitely potentially harmful.

Nutrition and exercise are two components that can help. You saying you know that Ginko isn't good is just as bad as someone saying 'take this'.  

  

Many many doctors simply open a drawer and say 'try this' with little or no knowledge of the person's real mental or physical makeup. So they are doing far worse than someone saying ....'try this'. Gingko will not put someone into violent behavior like many drugs can since it's a slow acting herb.  

  

Before anyone gets on medication, they should do a LOT of research and then get a nutritionist involved as well. Most doctors pay no attention to what the patient eats, or their chemical makeup to determine if what they are prescribing is the accurate prescription.  

  

Most people also don't know how heavy-handed / influential the pharmaceticual industry is with doctors. So what one might recommend may have more to do with that 'trip they are getting' than whether it's the right medication.  

  

The public needs to get a clue - the medical industry is about $ first, patient second and patients have to do their own homework and realize what they eat / drink has a lot to do with how they feel.  

There was something in her mannerisms that didn't seem to really equate to bi-polar, but rather self-centered, vicious behavior. She also seemed very, very depressed.  

  

My mother acted just like her and has apologized but in reality I know she is only sorry for herself, not what she really did to me. I think both have mental problems, but I think they also have both figured out how to 'get away' with bad behavior.  

I agree with you totally ....BRAVO! Hats of to you! I was disapointed aswell.  There is wasy more to the story than was told....

I am very concerned for you. I honor you for your fight. As Dr. Phil says you ARE IN THE GAME. If that husband of yours is abusive, he is not helping with his anger. He needs to take the anger elsewhere. That is the last thing you need while recovering. As you walk your journey through the more you can take ownership of your life and strangely enough feel "in charge" of yourself the more I feel your panic attacks will subside. Your husband if he loves you...will be supportive of your efforts to find a balance. If he is merely embarrassed and angry about your condition then he is NOT helping but hindering your recovery. I would drop him like a hot potato. . I did not see the show but have read enough of the message boards to know that Dr. Phil did not even scratch the surface of Bi Polar and what it entails. HE NEEDS TO DO A SHOW ON THOSE WHO HAVE ACHIEVED a semblance of balance like Patty Duke Astin for instance. There is a stigma attached to mental illness especially manic depressiveness. All humans have some behavior  in the realm of highs and lows. It is in our nature. It is when they become extreme. I dont think taking a vacation alone is inappropriate either when you are married and need a break. ( comment to another persons quote). I will be praying for you to find your true self, inner peace and outer support. Be brave...listen to your heart. Your body and mind know what you need. El