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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.

 

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kateinfla

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March 7, 2006, 6:02 pm PST

sorry for your loss

Quote From: kdwhitney

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

! I am sorry for your loss! TRuely!  I have been diagonised myself, and I see alot of signs, but not the exteme ones...no voices that would make me  blame or hurt anyone! I have also self medicated so I heard alot of things on the show today that hurt....I have so many things to deal with that I refuse to buckle under the pressure of medicating myself..some people who don't know better say they like me better NOT ON my medication...maybe they never thought that I wanted it that way..they have no lives and really dont care about anything but themselves. There was someone who cared about you and it was your sister!!!!!!!!!  It was her way of saying she silently enveyed you for all you could do...think about it...!! 

it is not the egg shells but the center of the being...the existance of the egg inside that holds it's relevents...embodies what it was meant to be....think about it....truely....what came first the chicken or the egg.....both....just one manifested differently.... 

Love Kate 
 
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kateinfla

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March 7, 2006, 6:03 pm PST

sorry for your loss

Quote From: kdwhitney

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

! I am sorry for your loss! TRuely!  I have been diagonised myself, and I see alot of signs, but not the exteme ones...no voices that would make me  blame or hurt anyone! I have also self medicated so I heard alot of things on the show today that hurt....I have so many things to deal with that I refuse to buckle under the pressure of medicating myself..some people who don't know better say they like me better NOT ON my medication...maybe they never thought that I wanted it that way..they have no lives and really dont care about anything but themselves. There was someone who cared about you and it was your sister!!!!!!!!!  It was her way of saying she silently enveyed you for all you could do...think about it...!! 

it is not the egg shells but the center of the being...the existance of the egg inside that holds it's relevents...embodies what it was meant to be....think about it....truely....what came first the chicken or the egg.....both....just one manifested differently.... 

Love Kate 
 
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deersue
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March 7, 2006, 6:04 pm PST

Re: Cathy

I was diagnosed 6 years ago at age 37. My dad was bipolar and so is my sister. Anyone who has this illness needs to take reponsibility for it and do their part in managing it. I work 60 plus hours per week at a very stressful job, have a husband in a nursing home who is permanently disabled and a 21 year old daughter. If I can do it, then CATHY-you can too. Keep a journal. Write down how you're feeling, what complusions you may feel-anything that would give you a healthier outlet than taking it out on your boys. I finally sought further help 6 yrs ago when I realized that my daughter was bearing the brunt of my problem. A journal would also help your heatlh care providers determine how meds are working and how you are cycling. I have been on 17 different meds, in various comobs & dosages, along with intensive outpatient therpay and weekly individual therapy. The meds were working well for a while, but we're working at it again. Sometimes you will feel like a chemistry experiment, but each day that you're taking responsibility for your illness is another day closer to managing it.  My prayers are with you and your children, Cathy.     FRED- you are soooooo lucky that you have your family to help you and I also wish you well.
 
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lp272dm
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March 7, 2006, 6:06 pm PST

Reply

Quote From: jaity99

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 can see where you may make this type of observation and can agree with you about the children.  Just the same, I do understand  how a person reacts when they are cycling.  I have seen how both an adult and a child cycle.  Pretty scary!   If she is a rapid cycler, she can very well go from one type of mood to another in a matter of minutes.  My son has cycled from manic to depressive states 7 times in one hour.  Because it happens so quickly, it can appear as other disorders. 
 
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myfvrteguy
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March 7, 2006, 6:09 pm PST

Beautifully Put

Quote From: rolrcostr

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
Thank you.
 
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beaglerox
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March 7, 2006, 6:10 pm PST

Bipolar profiles on today's show

I believe there are some bipolar people who are continually verbally and physically abusive, but it is not the norm.  I'm speaking of Cathy, the first person profiled.  As a bipolar since 18 (now middle aged) I want the general public to understand bipolar.  Her behavior is not typical. I belong to a great online support group, Moodgarden, and none of our many members fit this profile.  Yes, some of us have tempers raised during manic phases, but not to the extent of the problems Cathy was having. 

  

I believe she has anger issues, seperate from bipolar.  I've known many people who need anger management having worked in a juvenile rehab institution and also working amongst foster children.  This can be a whole different ball of wax than BP...even if Cathy has BP. 

  

As a BP 1, I have become psychotic after sleepless mania.  It has been horrific, but has happened only 9 times or so in my life when sleep eluded me for eight days or more in a row.  BP 1 people have mania which turns to brief psychosis.  Brief psychosis lasts a week or so.  Your second guest may have had some affective disorder as well as bipolar since his visions and pyschosis were pretty much constant. 

  

Though BP can be crippling and limiting, many people do function at terribly high levels.  I've been proud to have raised a family of two young adults with quite sound minds and have remained married 23 years.  I am mild mannered and stable, due to therapy and medication.  Some goals I had bypassed me due to the cycles of depression and mania, but I have found great happiness. 

  

Yet, being afflicted with bipolar is a life struggle that takes some adjusting.  I do appreciate that you tackled this subject!  It would be great to see you try it again, sometime down the road.  Perhaps we could see some positive BP success stories along with the struggles we bipolars face. 

  

  
 
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goochie1
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March 7, 2006, 6:10 pm PST

Her problem is Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline is often misdiagnosed as bipolar, but also frequently occurs WITH bipolar.  The raging, screaming, anger always shifting.. that's not about bipolar, it's borderline personality disorder (BPD). 

  

I get really upset when this happens... because it just perpetuates the myths about what bipolar REALLY is, and gives bipolars a bad name.  

  

Bipolar is a MOOD disorder.. not a character disorder like BPD.  Any time I was manic, I NEVER raged. 
 
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poppies30
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March 7, 2006, 6:12 pm PST

It is a shame 3/07

Quote From: rolrcostr

Your reply will help this mother. I would add how important it is to find her daughter in a good state of mind...and to tell that she would like to hear some appreciation when she does things for her. Mental illness is no excuse for bad manners. One can still say thank you and please. I am bi polar and remember my manners unless i am at either extreme...in which case intervention is needed please and thank you. Elena the Bi Polar Bear woman email me at elena_morningstar@hotmail.com if you like... 

My daughter is Bi Polar and has 2 sons.    She has made their lives a living hell.   I now have her oldest son..    She refuses to get help.   I could not put up with her rages and had to kick her out of my home for my own sanity.     I would  like Dr Phil to do a show on kids who have to live with this.    The 2 boys on Dr Phils show really seemed to hate their mother.    She should of have let someone else take her boys until she went for help.   How unfair is it to them.   What a shame
 
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carolee333

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March 7, 2006, 6:15 pm PST

Thanks Fred!

I'd like to thank Dr. Phil, Fred and his family for today's show.  As the mother of a 24 year old son who is in the process of being diagnosed with Bipolar I with delusions and hallucinations, this show has been unbelievably helpful.  After a lifetime enigma, and many attempts at finding a diagnosis, I saw this show and said, "That's my Son."  I asked my son, Michael to watch Fred and the second half of the show.  He agreed and although I was nervous as to his response, I thought it was worth a try.  WOW!  He watched the whole thing and afterwards he said, "That's me, and I don't want to be that way when I'm forty.  Michael has recently started taking medication, but has been fighting it.  As a result of hearing Fred's honest words and thoughts, Michael has agreed to the importance of compliance in respect to medication.  Until Michael saw and heard Fred, who was intelligent and thorough with his comments, Michael felt that he was One of a kind and all alone.  Surely  the future will be filled with much hardship, but shows like this, along with honest and strong people like Fred offer invaluable wisdom that would otherwise not be available.  Thank You
 
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gethelp4bp
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March 7, 2006, 6:18 pm PST

03/07 Extreme Highs and Lows

Quote From: wolf75

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 have bipolar the dysphoric type.  Do you possibly have the euphoria associated with your mania?  There are two types of mania, dysphoric which is what Cathy and I have, and euphoric which is what my daughter has.  She is the life of the party, outgoing, creative, and likes to spend money shopping, etc.  I am medicated and stable, but when I wasn't, I was much like Cathy.  What upsets me about her is that she quit taking meds. or trying to find a good med. combination for her.  
 
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