Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

WOW, what a lot of misinformation posted on this show. As an aspiring psychologist and being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder myself, I was astonished at the misrepresentation of the bipolar spectrum on this episode. First off, it seems like the symptoms and labels of Bipolar I and II disorder have been mixed up. Fred, from his psychotic symptoms and pathologically expansive mood, would a classic DSM case of full-blown Bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, although in the show it describes him as having Bipolar II disorder. I have Bipolar II disorder. I don't climb to the tops of buildings or hear voices. Sure I may go thru 3-4 week periods of excessive spending, increased talkativeness, endless energy, social prowess, euphoria, and needing only 3-5 hours of sleep per night to function properly... but people just impressed about how well I'm dong in life, and I don't end up in psych wards. Fred describes that he hears voices all of the time, even while on psych meds, so it seems he may have schizophrenic features to his condition. He seemed schizoaffective IMHO.   

A key factor of Bipolar that was glossed over during the show is the crushing periods of depression that seem to last much longer than hypomanic or manic episodes. Depression is the key compenent of Bipolar Disorder that is lethal and contributes to the increased suicide rate of those who suffer from mood disorders. I know when I was hypomanic I never really cared because I felt great for days, even weeks.... but then I crashed (hypomania has a tendency to exhaust you, kinda like being on a stimulant for a couple of weeks) and the depression came along, and all of those new commitments, new friends and new hobbies I picked up all came crashing down around me when I isolated into my own dark little world.  

I think Cathy is the on wrong show altogether. She should be on the upcoming show about personality disorders, as Cathy is clearly an emotionally unstable trauma victim with anger management issues. From viewing Cathy's story, I don't believe for one second that she has bipolar disorder. I don't believe "rapid-cycling" Bipolar disorder exists, where people go thru cycles in 15 sec of time (or as she quoted "Zero to Psycho in 15 sec"). I think that is an invention of the pharmaceutical industry to peddle expensive medications to people who do not need to take them. Cathy's moods seem reactive to environmental triggers. It seems Cathy's problem is in the way she reacts to situations. My mood episodes are not reactive to any situation, they just happen when they  happen. That means when everything is going great in my life, I feel depressed, or it can mean I feel great when everything in my life is falling apart around me. My episodes have nothing to do with the situations I'm in. 

Just wanted clear up some things before people rush to their doctors screaming "I think I have Biplolar Disorder!" 

I am very touched by all the stories that I have read.  I also deal with bi-polar every day.  After ten years of marriage my husband was finally diagnosed with bi-polar II and manic depression.  We had four children within this time and needless to say it was very difficult.  It was me trying to keep the kids from making to much noise, not leaving anything on the floor or even walking to loudly.  He would break anything he could get his hands on (he never touched me or the kids) yell terrible things to me and if I couldn't get the kids out in time to them also.  I would NEVER leave the kids alone with him.  But at times he was the most fun loving and exciting person to be around.  I didn't know if he was going to last through a family activity or snap.   

You who have not dealt with this may think that I am exaggerating.  I am however, leaving so much out.  My oldest son was nine when he was finally diagnosed (incorrectly as depression).  We went through two years of changing medications almost every month and me telling the Dr's that it is not working. 

My son who I've known had some sever emotional problems since he was three was finally diagnosed with Bi-polar II, ADHD, ODD and OCD when he was 9.  Because of this we were referred to yet again another Dr for my husband.  This time it did work out.  He was diagnosed and I sure wish I could say "And we all lived happily ever after."   

My husband is currently on short term disability from work and I have had to go to extremes to get help from the school for my son.  I had to call and did an extreme letter writing campaign to all the Senators, Representatives and the school board members to have him placed into a special class for emotionally disturbed children.  A class room of eight kids for an entire school district of thousands of kids.  (How ridiculous is that!!!!) 

My oldest son has said to me "that our family is alot happier without his brother".  As a mother I love all my kids and it tears my heart out to say that it is true.  Our house is a destruction zone because of both my husband and my son.  I had to put him in his own room because he would wake up in the middle of the night and beat up his younger brother.  I have to have my oldest (who is mature beyond his years because of this) take the other two children out for hours because "J" would rage on for hours breaking everything.  We have had to pay for windows in every house up and down the neighborhood.  We have had to pay for peoples dented cars, broken car lights and anything else you can think of and can't think of that will break.  He has been through the juvenile court system several times and yet I know that it is not over.   

Like the man in the story I am sure (and I think it will be the best right now) "J" will live with us and I will have to continue to take care of these two men in my life and that I love dearly.  Most days it is overwhelming and I sympathize with all the parents, brothers, sisters, friends and any one else who lives with this every day. 

I too know that this is a very expensive illness.  We have had to file for bankruptcy twice.  The first time before my husband was diagnosed was because he would go on a high and buy elaborate expensive things that there was NOOOOO way we could afford (and still can't).  I tried several things to stop this but he was very creative.   

The second time was just recently.  Our insurance did not cover mental health.  My son had to be hospitalized for a month and we were trying to help him and do the best we could with my husband.  He has by no means gotten the help that he needs.  Yes he gets his meds but since we were paying about $2000 a month for meds alone between the two of them we had to choose between the bills and a functioning family.  YES I choose the family!  The house, the car and everything else are a necessity but are not the center of my life. 

I wish all well.  My prayers go out to everyone with this disability and those who love and take care of them. 

Ive tried 35 times to die......I have a very different attitude on this because of a recent loss in my online family. A beautiful 26 year old with a 4 year old son decided that her meds were making her fat so she stopped using them and 2 months later she took a gun to her head and died. That young girl woke me up by showing me a mirror.......myself......and was I ever selfish to want to die. BUT NONE of my attempts was my families fault and my youngest (18) and I have together accepted that its I who owns this one NOT my friends or family. Try here for more help and call your local DBSA group for support Theyre fabulously caring BiPolar support group. 

http://www.dbsalliance.org/ 

http://bphope.com/ 

Namaste 

Tam 

I seem to be leaving the same links everywhere lol 

http://www.dbsalliance.org/ 

http://bphope.com/ 

Your best friend will be your local MI Health clinic. Research support groups in your area through DBSA its a good group and they'll help. 

Namaste 

Tam 

It's hard to say. 

Your best bet would be to talk to a therapist.  His ADHD may be comorbid with something else.  Bipolar disorder may be a possibility.   

A therapist would be good for him on another level.  Medication may help with helping the brain function better, but it doesn't teach him communication skills, problem solving skills, or overall social skills, which would overall help his self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem.   

I faced similar challenges growing up myself (high IQ, low social skills, labelled "gifted", low self-esteem, etc.).  However, my ADD diagnosis didn't come until recently...and I'm 26 years old.   

Interesting enough, some people with ADD/ADHD alone (that is, the ADD/ADHD is not comorbid with anything else) have depression and anxiety symptoms, although there is debate going on as to whether these are side effects of ADD/ADHD or if these are just ways to cope with the disorder.  Honestly, I think it's the latter.  The anxiety comes from being afraid of failing and the depression comes from the actual sensation of "failure".   

Take it from someone who knows..............This is a road that only the person afflicted can hoe. You can push her into a hospital but 9 out of 10 times your Loving gesture will just be resented. Ive had many family members of BP patients ask advice and I tell them in MY case my family did me a great favor by allowing me to take care of me in the best way possible with the tools I had. Bit by bit I got stronger. Its a great deal like allowing the achoholic to hit bottom......but in this case if there are kids then as my family did......keep an eye. You have no idea how much a small word of kindness can heal. Also I sugest YOU go to support groups, learn from a DBSA group first hand by their storys. They also have a fabu;ous group for families. 

http://www.dbsalliance.org/ 

http://bphope.com/ 

I'll Light a candle for you and ALL the families here. 

Blessed Be 

Namaste 

Tam 

Yello_moon 

Your best bet would be to try to find a good therapist in your area.  It wouldn't be fair to you if any of us offered advice only to find that it didn't work.  It's great to have a support system of people who feel for you, though! :) 

I could offer a few suggestions as to what could be going on here, but they would simply be based on a psychology bookworm's point of view.  You need a qualified professional's expert opinion.   

I personally wouldn't rule out Bipolar II, Borderline Personality Disorder, or even Schizotypal Personality Disorder.  Google a few of those and see what you find, but don't forget, the Internet is no substitute for in-person professional advice.