Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

You have got to be kidding me! It is VERY clear that you are one of those people who don't really understand bipolar disorder and its manifestations and consequences. Imagine not being able to trust your own thoughts because you're not sure if you really feel that way or if its the bipolar disorder talking...imagine having so many amazing ideas and goals and not being able to put them into motion because you can't maintain focus on that one thought long enough to make it happen...then imagine feeling so helpless and hopeles that you don't even want to wake up anymore...it's too hard to face another day feeling like this...you don't want to feel this way anymore... 

Trust me sweetheart, family and friends do not suffer more than the person with bipolar disorder...and if people like you could understand it, we wouldn't suffer as much. 

I was a little disappointed in yesterdays show.  I really thought Bi Polar would have been examined a little bit more in depth.  I too suffer from this horrible disorder.  I too, am not medicated.  I stopped taking my meds just about 2 years ago, not because I thought I was cured, but because I wanted to find a more natural way to focus on recovery.  (it's not working and I 'probably' need the meds back).

I know about the rage.  I feel the rage on a daily basis.  Do I act on it?  Not always.  When I am in a rage, breaking something helps bring me back to reality.  
Thoughts of not wanting to exist haunt me on my extreme low days.  
My high days, I am on top of the world.  Spending money was one of the ways I used to make myself feel the highs.  I just want to keep feeling that 'high feeling' all the time and you find yourself doing the strangest things to get that feeling.  Driving fast, going out, drinking, doing drugs, sex, the list goes on and on.
I quit work with no reason or explainations.  I am now on my 8th job in the last 5 years.  I just walk out.  I stop showing up. 
I would have periods of mania which would keep me up for days, cleaning and organizing.  And the depression would send be to bed for days, crying so hard that it's hard to breathe.
I have felt an increase in sexual feelings that have lead to extramarital affairs and exteme promiscuity .  With no thought or conscience about it. 
Feelings of over confidence, feeling fearless, reckless enthusiasm, with no thoughts of repercussions.
We have been in bankruptcy twice, I can't say it is all due to my spending sprees, but I am sure it had alot to do with it. 
I have been married for 20 years.  I have children.  I know how hard it is for them.  They have no idea how hard it is for me.
I really believe I have been in some type of remission for the last two years with little or no episodes, but this past January something happened and BOOM, it's back like it never left. 
The feeling of hopelessness overwhelms me. 

• I just wanted to point out that I feel  the show did not show the "highs and lows" with bi polar or the many other symtoms affiliated with the disorder other than rage.   
  

Thanks so much for reading. 
~lbhat

I am not a doctor and even close, but in some cases when nothing else works they may use electric treatments.  My sister, and my mother both have bipolar disorder, and it has been a consideration.   I found this on a website linked to my health insurance.    Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include: 

Medications

The following medications may be used to treat bipolar disorder (many patients are treated with a combination of two or more of these medications):  

• Lithium – a mood stabilizer, often used as initial treatment (helps prevent manic and depressive episodes from returning)
• Valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), lamotrigine, topiramate, gabapentin (zonisamide, felbarnate) – anti-seizure medications, also used as mood stabilizers instead or in combination with lithium
• Benzodiazepines – clonazepam (Klonopin) or lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to treat agitation or insomnia
• Zolpidem (Ambien) – used to treat insomnia
• Antidepressants – serotonin reuptake inhibitors or bupropion (Wellbutrin) can be used to treat depression
• Antipsychotic medications – used if patient exhibits psychotic behavior at extremes of mood; “classic” anti-psychotic medications [e.g., haloperidol (Haldol)] are not often used because of risks of tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable movements); “atypical” antipsychotic medications [e.g., risperidone (Risperdal)] are more effective with less risk of tardive dyskinesia

Treatment may need to be continued for prolonged periods or indefinitely, depending on the pattern of the illness, to prevent significant mood swings. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy may include:  

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Counseling
• Family therapy
• Interpersonal therapy

  

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy may be effective for both mania and depression when medications fail.  

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing bipolar disorder. 

RESOURCES:

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
http://www.bpkids.org 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org/ 

REFERENCES:

Belmaker R. Medical progress: bipolar disorder. N Eng J Med. 2004;351:476-486.  

Bipolar disorder. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm. Accessed November 10, 2005.  

Last reviewed November 2005 by Janet H. Greenhut, MD, MPH  

All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits. 

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

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.  

There was an article in the Boston Globe science/ health section this week on mood disorder medications. They briefly did a time line and mentioned the use of electric shock therapy for depression back in the 40s/50s. They mentioned how it was used innapropriately to control unruely hospital patients, and so fell out of favor. However, apparently there has been a resurgence of the therapy for use with depression. It did not mention anything about bi-polar. But I think it's smart of you to ask and you should definatley look into it more- internet's invaluable! But make sure they're reliable sources.

My exhusband suffers from bipolar and he exhibits all of the same things as you do.  He is in denial which makes it worse for us and terrible for me....we ended up in divorce before the financial ruin could occur as I knew that would be another step he'd take...I am sorry for you, but glad you recognize the need for meds.  I am sorry for me to have lost the man I loved and our hopes and dreams...I am sorry for my ex because he doesn't realize all that he's lost and I fear he will take his life which will devaste my 10 and 9 year old.....Good Luck to you and your family

It seems to me adoanna, you have a right to be angry and frustrated. But I think you are misplacing your anger at your sister. She did not ask for this disease, as much as you did not ask to be related to someone with this disease. You definatley has some anger that needs addressing and validation, but remember to correctly place your anger or the disease or the situation. not your sister. I think people by default tend to blame to deal. It's much easer to blame a person than some abstract or often vague and confussing disease. Please keep this in mind. You and your sister are in this together.

 I only know from my experiences.  I love my husband with my entire being.  I respect and admire him.  I have been bipolar since I was 12.  I am now 39.  I have had many affairs.  Do I try to hurt my husband  on purpose?  Absolutely not!  Do I care if I "catch" something?  Not at the time of the indiscretion.  I care about how that person makes me feel just at that moment. There are no fears of unpleasant consequences, reckless enthusiams takes over.  I have no conscience about it.  I hate that.  I have lied for years.  I continue to lie.  I can't hurt him like this.  He only  knows about 2 of my affairs (one in '95 in which I became pregnant and one in '97 in which I became pregnant).
 I would like to recommend a book or at least take a quote from the book, "Bipolar Disorder-A Guide for Patients and Families"  by Francis Mark Mondimore, M.D.
Here is a quote... "The feelings of exuberance and overconfidence that characterize mania can lead to several pattens of behavior typical of the manic state:  spending sprees, sexual promiscuity, and overuse of alcohol and other intoxicating substances....Increased sexual feelings can lead to affairs or promiscuity, actions that can be life-threatening."
I am sorry for what I have done.  If I could change it I would.  I can't.  I just want to feel normal again. 
~lbhat

   Im 39 years old and have had Bipolar since 1981.At that time it was called Manic Depressive Disorder.I was taking alot of different medications.They weren't helping.I was in and out of different mental hospitals.It took 2 years to finally find out exactly what I had.I had a struggle in school.I was on the honor roll for 3 years of highschool.I did work while having the disorder.3 years ago I had to give up my job.I couldn't handle stress that the job had.I also was having problems with my marriage.I have a 17 year old daughter tht has Bipolar also.So my now X husband didnt want to do with our problems.Im living with my parents and my dad as well has bipolar.Yes I agree it is hard to live with.The key thing is take your meds see doctor regularly and have lab test done.You can live just as much of a normal life as some one with no medical problems.It just might be a little harder.Im doing it and so is my daughter.She will be graduating from highschool with a GPA of 3.7.I say to everyone just put your mind to it,trust in Jesus.Thats how im living.God Bless To All.Have Faith.

Bipolar has devasted my family and the kicker is my exhusband who is bipolar is in denial and can't even recognize the devastation he created by not taking medicine.....so in this case it's worse for the family who recognizes his professional diagnosis.....he still goes out spends my child support money, cheats, lies, steals, enjoys his highs, and is free to do whatever he wants while I hold down the family and try to figure out how to explain it all to a 10 and 9 year old......so while it's hard for those who recognize their illness, it's much harder for those who choose to ignore it and or go on and off their meds!!!!!!!