Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

It is with so much sadness and empathy that I read your posts and watch Dr. Phil's show on this dreadful disorder. My only child, Eric, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 9, following an ADHD diagnosis at age 6. My husband and I divorced after 20 years due to an ugly betrayal and subsequent marriage and child with his new bride. This, I believe, is what sent my boy into full fledged bipolar. He had good treatment from a psychiatrist and counselor, but we could never find the right meds. He went to public school, but it was probably coming to an end because of his anger and disrespect. Eric was not Bipolar II, but he had become increasingly violent during his rages--punching me in the arm and taking a knife and threatening me. Each time, I would call the psychiatrist and we would up the meds to help him be stable. But he ended up secretly taking his own life---not in a state of pyschosis because I was just upstairs and he didn't make a peep. Now, one year later, I'm just numb. Dead, for all intents and purposes. My reason for living is gone. And he was my best friend, and the person I most admired in the world. He managed his disease like a champ. But make no mistake. Even Bipolar I can end in suicide--15-20% of biopolar people take their own life. Please keep seeking help. And don't stop until you feel you've found the right help. With all my blessings.

Hi.  I am working on having my son transferred to the Meridell Achievement Center which is 30 miles north of Austin.  They are the only ones I know of that perform the brain scans.  My sons psychtherapist says this is the best place in the country for bi-polar and dual diagnoses because not only do they look at the patient medically but they take a holistic approach as well which no-one that he knew of did.  Take a look at their website, it discusses the brain scans. 

  

They talk of the brain scan in the video about 4minutes and approx. 10 seconds into it.  It is worth wacthing.  I hope this helps.  Namaste' 

  

https://www.meridell.com/video.shtml 

WE have three boys.. Our oldest Tyler 10, has Bipolar, ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, Sensory Intgration and is Emotionnaly Disturbed. He is currently attending a Therepeutic Day School. He has been on this vicious roller coaster ride for four years now. Our second oldest Joshua 8, has Asthma, Dyslexia,ADHD and Bipolar. He is currently in mainstream school holding his own. Our youngest son Chad is 5. He does not currently have a diagnose , but we have had him evaluated and he does show signs of Early Onset Bipolar. We live each day with "HOPES" that tomorrow will be different. We struggle, we cry, we get through it.   

  I want to say " Thank You" to Dr. Phil. I have already called the Brain Matters. I am anxiously waiting for them to call me back today. I want to get my children in for a brain scan in hopes that we can learn more to help our boys live a healthy life. I will keep you posted. To all who deal with this, please, don't give up, hang on to that "HOPE" that we all can look to.  

  Thank You Gail Norkus, A mom who always believes that tomorrow will be different. 

  

Though it is an extreme, as many things  that are popular tend to be, Electro-boy is a good book if you want to read about  the crap  from either side.

It is one of my favorite books and I have found that a lot of people have been able to relate to it, simply because the  narration is very honest and clear. The writer doesn't try to segregate the audience because he wants people to understand what he experienced, what he did, and what he is doing.

Goes through all the chaos to meds and electro shock and the sensations of psychosis and the social effects of hypomania and the effects of meds and the cognitive dulling and some of the social outcast type feelings...

Again, it is a book written to make money.
I did like it though.  And I do recommend it, though it is not indicative of all with bipolar. It does talk about, from the perspective of regrets, responsibility, etc, what families and those who have the disorder deal with.

I heard it is going to be a movie though. And it will probably be made all bizarre and the important logistical information will be taken out so it's a ''rollercoaster ride of emotions''... or something..
so if that happens, read the book first.
With several grains of salt.
and a bag of chips.

Hi, I don't know what your first message said.  But as far as Electro convulsive therapy, it is a legitimate form of treatment for those who are medication resistant in the treatment of severe depression and even bipolar disorder.  They have used ECT for decades and there is so much knowledge about it today and it is much more controlled now with the use of  anesthia and muscle relaxants. My grandmother had ect back in the 70's and it is less "barbaric" now than it was thought of years ago.  It's also suppossed to be a very successful form of treatment when all else fails.  My doctor wanted me to have ECT because my illness was treatment resistant with drugs.   

You might want to research it more on your own, but I have known people who have had this treatment and they've had positive results. The one draw back is that there is short term memory loss and some people may require more sessions than others.    Good luck..... 

I know that when my dad was diagnosed about 30 years ago they used it and we were just talking to friend a few weeks ago and he was getting shock thereapy so it is used I just don't know how effective it is as the brain in a bipolar person is missing certain chemicals that is what the issue is I know that meds are what can help that and the right meds there are combinations that worked. so I hope that this answers your question

I was just sort of nervous about posting this url, because I had already pointed someone toward this site [though not this page of it] and I didn't want people to think that I was spamming.
But... this is some people who talk about ECT and there are some discussions about its validity and basic info.
Also info on neuro feedback and light boxes and maybe Vagal Nerve Stimulation. But i am not sure if that is there or somewhere else...
anyway. I thought it might be helpful, but I don't personally know enough info on it.

http://www.crazyboards.org/index.php?showforum=89

actually I believe bi-polar 1 is considered the more extreme case of bi-polar and bi-polar 2 the less extreme. This is why it is surprising to me that the people on this show were diagnosed with bi-polar 2. To me they seem to have the severe case of it. I did follow up my hunch with internet research to make sure I was correct on this. But please correct me if I'm wrong.

I watched the show with much interest yesterday, especially when I saw the promos showing 2 people who had or were exhibiting bizarre or out of control behavior.  I watched with horror as the mother was nothing but evil to her two sons.  I hope Dr. Phil and his professionals rip those two poor sons away from her and put them with a loving family with some wonderful counseling for a long time and give her some help for whatever problem she is having.   

  

I, too, am bipolar, and would never, in a million years be able to even utter some of the things she said to her children.  I have a 9 yr. old son and know the importance of what you say to a child can mean to him/her for the rest of their life.  My mother once told us kids she hated us.  I know she was just really mad when she yelled at us, but  I will NEVER forget her saying that to us.  I doubt if she would ever remember saying it, if I ever brought it up to her now.  But it is important to a child....   

  

My first real struggle with bipolar started 6 years ago.  I suffered 3 years straight of severe depression with no letup before I was diagnosed correctly.  Even then, finding the correct meds was difficult.  Had seizures on Gabitril and don't think it ever worked anyway.  Finally my doctors put me on Topamax and it seems to be working.  Found I also had sleep apnea and SAD also, along with the bipolar.  So those may also be present in people that are bipolar????  They sure didn't help my problems, that's for sure.          

  

I can't help but think the mother was using the excuse of bipolar to just behave badly????   No telling what damage has already been done to them.  And nobody has probably even thought of the possibility that the sons may have inherited the bipolar genes from her????  I hope the Dr. Phil Show professionals can evaluate her sons for that potential because they could be put on medication now....   After all the trauma that mother has put them thru, isn't there more likelihood they will have emotional problems themselves?  I was just sick to my stomach after I saw the show.  Where were the boys' father or other relatives?  I am sorry if I being a little hard on "Mommie Dearest"... 

  

Dr. Phil, I think you need to air another show about bipolar, which does not put us in such a bad light.  Every time a show like that is done and people see what bipolar people are like, then those of us who try to blend into society are looked at as lepers.  Most people don't know what bipolar is and the many who saw that show got a one-sided, unfair picture.  Not all of us are like that, are we?  Just my opinion.  Thanks.               

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

     

  

      

  

    

You know everyone seems to thin that bipolar is the same for everyone. It isn't. I have heard voices, but not for several years. I have been abusive, and am much better now, but still have some violent tendencies which I try to control. My meds are working, sort of, I am in desperate search for something that will bring me back to 'normal' and I just mean a level even keel. I am 30 years old and my bipolar II has caused me to become disabled. I cannot live a 'functional life in society' this doesn't mean I can't get along at home or need hospitalization. I have trouble with whirling thoughs and concentration problems. BIPOLAR is DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE. Don't judge the people on the show. They are there. They asked for help and are trying to get it. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom before you can get to that point. I am a loving wife and mother, who sometimes cries uncontrollably, or lashes out in anger over nothing. I have been on various meds for 10 years and my doc is still adjusting them because I am not right yet. I have verbally attacked my (very understandting and completely amazing) husband, and worry I will do that to my 2 year old son. Stop trying to diagnos the people onthe show, or even each other, the docs for the most part know what they are doing and certainly Dr. Phil wouldn't have people on the show he didn't believe were bipolar. Give them, and me, a break. We alll manifest differently. We all respond to treatment differently. The cost of the brain scan is over $3000 and only can diagnose the problem, it doesn't give the docs a specific drug or drugs to try on the patient. I do what I can each day. I work hard to fight the ups and downs I have (I am a rapid cycling BPII), I take my meds, I do therapy. but sometimes that just isn't enough. Even when my meds worked it was only for 2-3 years before I would go back into crisis. I have thought of hurting people and myself at times, not now thankfully, but they are possibilities for bipolar. THERE IS A HUGE RANGE OF SYMPTOMS!! Just because you don't have one or any of the symptoms of someone else doesn't mean they aren't bipolar too you know.