Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

Bipolar disorder is indeed a very complex brain illness that manifests itself in a variety of ways. While the two guests featured on Tuesday's show were more extreme, most people with bipolar disorder are not violent towards others but suicide is a huge risk in this population, as several parents who lost children to this horrific illness have posted. Even accounting for earlier and better diagnosis, why is this so prevalent? Whether it's bipolar disorder, OCD, autism, ADHD or other brain disorders, I'm amazed at the number of families dealing with this in both younger and older children. There's no doubt that genetics play a major role but environmentally (besides family stressors, like death, divorce, sexual abuse, etc), what else is contributing to the numbers of persons being treated for serious mental illness?? Is it the toxic and uncivil culture we live in? The air we breathe? The water we drink? The food we eat??  

This is a national crisis that doesn't get enough attention, funding and respect. The economic costs to families, employers and to society at large are enormous.  We caregivers are burned out, left to find what little help exists on our own and often times, are actually blamed for these biologically based disorders. If my daughter had cancer, we would have been directed to the best treatment centers, specialists, support and recovery programs with great compassion & kindness, and insurance companies wouldn't be batting an eye over most claims.  

With the current administration's focus on the war in Iraq and the billions being spent on defense and homeland security with no end in sight, any programs and research for mental health/brain disorders that currently exist are being severely cut back. It is a disgrace that we do not have some form of national health insurance. Whether it's our loved ones with serious brain disorders or the victims of Katrina, how a society/government treats its most vulnerable, traumatized and needy citizens says much about who we are. It is NOTa pretty picture.  

Just an update on your misinformation about rapid cycling, it's called Cyclothymia.  Feel like building a house at 9 am and weeping on the floor at noon.  I think perhaps it is probably an individual thing with how rapid one cycles along with whatever is going on around them.  The highs can be very unpleasant.  They can be utterly exhausting and draining.  Yet you just keep going because you can't stop.  When I was diagnosed I was asked by the doctor if I had mood swings.  I laughed and said "show me a woman who doesn't."  He then got more specific.  I now know that my periods exacerbated the cycling.  The anger was rage, the euphoria was wonderful.   I think perhaps women have a somewhat harder time with being bipolar due to hormone fluctuations, PMS, menopause etc.  But to be the way Cathy was is uncalled for.  Knowing she was abusive, nasty and just plain mean to her children was quite selfish on her part.  They should have been the reason she never stopped looking for help.  It took me so very many years to finally get the right meds and become stable but I knew I could not continue to hurt my children.  I believe, while the DSM 4 is accurate, not everyone will fit every criteria for something nor will one medication work for everyone who has the same thing.  We are all different.  I was finally diagnosed with BP first then many years later added BPD.  My therapist, at the time was sure I was but I didn't fit the mold.  Very few, if any, will fit the mold for anything.    I have never been diagnosed with ADHD but I can read and often understand what I read.  I was given something to go with my antidepressant, a drug that is given for ADHD.  Utterly amazing.  Finally the last piece of the puzzle fit together.   I found I could think sentences to the end.  It was awesome.  

As for the second guest, in the midst of despair that we suffer from I heard voices.  Some I knew some I didn't.   

Now I take my meds, see my dr and therapist and put every effort into being the best me I can.  I'm not perfect, I have times when I get down and when I just want to cry and I don't know why but I know it will pass.   

I share what info I have about BP with others that may want to know.  I let me know what I am taking now.  It is up to anyone to be in charge of their own mental and physical health.  A little knowledge can, sometimes be dangerous, but no knowledge can be lethal.    

Take care 

As long as you keep giving to her and taking her abuse she will keep doing it.  Why should she stop?  As the good dr says, you teach people how to treat you.   I believe the meds don't work much if you don't work much.   Please let her take responsibility for herself and her child.  Of course you need to protect the child but your daughter is an adult.  It sounds like she is getting more from being sick than being responsible.  If she is still taking to her bed for weeks at a time she probably needs different meds.  Don't buy her anything.  Figure a way to see the child is ok without giving money etc to your daughter.  She can continue to be sick and irresponsible as long as you are taking care of her life.  Do something for yourself.  Don't let her disrespect you ever.   If you continue to provide her she will never get better.  Get some help for yourself.  You are I mom and I understand why you are "helping"  her but I think you are actually doing more harm than good.  It may get a lot worse before it gets better but you cannot change her, you can only change your reaction to her.  Be well