Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

HI! 

My husband was diagnosed with Bipolar II in December.  As with most bipolar cases, it has taken 10 years+ and 4 different doctors to get to this point.  He is 33 years old and has tried at least 6 different anti-depressants and numerous sleep meds since 1999, but the depression kept "coming back".  Bipolar always came up, but we, along with the doctors, would always dismiss it because he never had mania - not the way we pictured it at least.  We stumbled upon our current doctor and she explained to us "hypomania" symptoms and it finally clicked.  He has been on Lamictal for only 2 weeks now so we are still in the "waiting for buildup" stage.  I am so happy to hear your daughter is doing well on it & it gives me hope that it will possible give my husband some relief.  Since December, I have been reading everything and anything I can find regarding bipolar II disorder and have found some helpful websites that describe the different "variations" of bipolar.  These sites also have links to other sites, recommend books, support groups, etc.   I hope you find them helpful as well.  

• www.psycheducation.org - "a public service" site by Dr. James R. Phelps in Oregon - a lot of info to take in but well worth the time!
• www.healthyplace.com - mental health information site - has different "communities"; bipolar community has overview of variations, section about bipolar in children, and if you click the support link, it has LOTS of help and support for those of us who love someone with bipolar and how we can help them and ourselves deal best with the illness!
• www.nami.org - national alliance for mentally ill
• www.dbsalliance.org - depression and bipolar support alliance 

In case you haven't been told lately, you are a WONDERFUL parent for driving so far to insure your daughter gets the care she needs.  She is very lucky to have you...be sure to take care of yourself too!!  best of luck! 

My sister was diagnosed as Manic-Depressed after 20 years of a roller-coaster lifestyle that took her  family and friends with her.  Truth be told.....it was harder on her family than it was on her.  When she was on the straight and narrow, she held a job, lived on her own, and then decided that she was cured and stopped taking her medicine.  Then the high..........debts, job loss, weight gain.  Then soon after, the inevitable "crash".  Regrets, tears, pit of despair.  My parents would rush in, clean up her mess and ready the world for her next appearance.  She would emerge from the hospital....hopeful, confident and ready to start all over.  They would be worn down with worry and financial woes.  Then it would start all over!   

The major reason for all all this?  She would self diagnose and decide on her own that she didn't need the medications.  You could ask her if she was taking her medicine and she would look you in the eye and lie every time.  As soon as she started laughing too loud, everyone would brace themselves.   

From my experience, the family and friends of the "bi-polar" person suffers much more than they ever do. 

 Dr. Phil, 

     I believe Bi-Polar results from unresolved pain or feelings one has never expressed. When someone does not deal with their problems and stuff all  their issues down so deep believing they will not suface. The truth is someone's biological make up can change because of stress and trauma. The body and mind go into survival mode and the longer the body stays in survival mode the more the biological system changes in the body. People can be healed from this if the choose to deal with the root of the problem. I'm not saying all people are in this category. I just think as Americans  we areprone to take the quick fix instead of dealing with our problems. 

    Spiritual warfare exists today. The battle is in the mind. I know a woman who was bi- polar and has been healed. Not by medication but by prayer and reading the Bible. The LOrd has the power to do all things. My friend's mother was schizophrenic for all of her life. A couple of years ago she was in bed sick and she could not get up for days. Her radio was on a christian station preaching the gospel. She was healed and enjoying her life today. God is the miracle worker. The Word(Bible) is the bread of life. 

My  79 yr old father is in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease.My 23 yr old daughter was diagnosed with early onset bipolar disorder at the age of 14, which was triggered by the sudden and unexpected death of her beloved father/my dear husband 6 months prior to that. Both suffer from no-fault, neuro-biological brain disorders where the presenting symptoms are abnormal behavior and thinking, which may appear to be within their control but it is not. Their ability to accept and understand their illness is also difficult because it is their brain that is not working properly. Besides Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorder, our family history, past and present,  includes depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, eating disorders, Tourette's, mood disorders and other brain illnesses. Most of my family members have college degrees and are completely functional and productive members of society---with medication and treatment.  

Whether it is a stroke, bipolar disorder, a traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, major depression or other neurobiological brain disorders, one's whole physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional and spiritual self is affected. The lives lost to and chronic disability from these disorders are incredible. Most people understand and are compassionate about cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other "medical" impairments. But that is frequently not so with brain disorders. That's why terms like "going psycho, schizo, looney, mental, nuts, crazy" are such incorrect and stigmatizing words. These illnesses are as real, devastating, painful and life threatening as the other previously mentioned diseases. That many states still do not  require health insurance companies to give parity for "mental illnesses" and their treatment is deplorable. 

I was skeptical when I heard about Dr. Phil's show on bipolar disorder, concerned that it would be sensationalized and dismissed. I watched it intently and applaud his approach with the two guests, the information presented, his insight, compassion and the challenge and help he offered to his guests. "Knowlege is necessity" and Dr. Phil hopefully enlightened many, many viewers and gave people hope. I encourage viewers to contact their local NAMI chapter and the NAMI website for excellent info, classes and support groups. I also recommend  the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation and NARSAD organizations on-line for more information. 

As a mother who has dealt with the ongoing issues related to bipolar disorder for my dear daughter, I can say that this has been the biggest challenge in my almost 55 years, especially trying to find help and a safety net (other than me) for this talented and creative young woman. She has been doing better with the help of newer medications (although the side effects have included substantial weight gain and acne----pretty awful when your self-esteem is almost zero and you're female in this appearance-obsessed culture!!) but this illness along with the trauma of losing her dad at a very fragile age has absolutely decimated her life. My husband's death was the absolute worst loss I have ever faced but it pales in comparison to what I've been through with my daughter. It is an on-going loss for both of us and I'm filled with deep sadness, fear, frustration and helplessness on a daily basis. I will always have hope but it appears that this illness, even with treatment, will be chronic and without resolution. That she is alive today is a true miracle and I hold onto that.  

Age/Sex/Diagnosis:   34 yrs old/  Male/  Bi-polar 

Medications: Seroquel and Effexor RX   

Relationships:  None  

Jobs:  Too many to count (Always let go because of lack of attendence) 

Education:  Honors Business from the Richard Ivey Business School @ the University of Western 

Positives:  Charming, friendly, empathetic, motivated, intelligent, focused, disciplined, creative, work out religiously 

Negatives:  Irritable, unfriendly, apathetic, de-motivated, stupid decision making skills, unfocused, undisciplined, don't work out 

Things holding me back:  Ability to be consistent such as showing up for work everyday, getting a good nights sleep, being consistent in a friendship or relationship, very moody 

Highs - I am exceptional when I'm on high.  My ego is ridiculously high and I am very confident and get a lot done in a short time frame 

Lows - Don't leave the house, don't shower or groom, don't talk to anyone 

Attempts at Fighting Disease:  I buy motivational cd's books etc such as items from Anthony Robbins, Dr. Phil, Donald Trump and Mark Cuban all in the hopes of giving me the consistent innner strength to achieve to my potential. 

Residence: Currently with Mother, Previous with Father 

Nutrition:  I usually drink soda pop and eat fast food.  I don't want to use the oven, I don't have the patience to cook.  I rarely eat vegtables unless parents cook them for me. 

Finance: Government assitance - No current debts 

Friends: None that I talk to on a regular basis 

Spirituality: Go to church once a week with my father 

Goals: To get a job and keep it - To get an apartment of my own - To work out regularly again - To improve nutrition - To include friends in my life - To be more consistent on a daily basis - To reduce mood swings - To go to bed at the same time every night and get a good nights sleep - To be able to cook and use the oven - To not be a quitter