Topic : 08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows

I have BP 1, have had it all my life, but diagnosed 10 years ago.

My disorder has caused much pain for my husband of 25 years and to my 3 boys.  The oldest one is now clued in on just what is going on.  The younger two have and age-appropriate understanding of my disorder.

New medications have made me much more stable, and hopefully, "Oger Mom" is gone for good.  Although a brain scan might give a more complete picture, you already know what you have.  If you are feeling unstable on your current meds, do some research on newer meds (I'm on Lamictal and Abilify), and ask your doctor about them.

Hang in there.  Your wife obviously loves you and is committed to you, or she would have taken off a long time ago.  Your son needs his dad.

Whenever I fall into a deep depression, I can "act" normal, even though my feelings are in the toilet.  It would scare people to know how I really feel.  When I am manic, it is hard to act normal.  I am giddy, make a lot of jokes (not all of them nice), and feel bad later, when I realize what I have said.

Please leave the car keys in your pocket and stick around. 

 With all of my health problems and mental health issues, people have asked my husband why he stays married to me. (what a rude question!)  My husband replies that we vowed to be there for each other "in sickness and in health", and we are both committed to keeping that vow...25 years now!  Living with my husband isn't always so rosy either..he has his own health problems and mental health issues.  We just understand each other.  My husband often recognizes my manic moods before I do.

Remember, your family loves you and needs you.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

If someone is constantly thinking of death, I would challenge them to think of birth and to verbalize examples that come to mind.  This may work best if one goes outdoors as one may see moms with their babies in strollers, birds, fish, puppies, new green grass, water(life giving force), and most importantly sunshine.

I make this challenge as we must consciously change our negative thinking patterns into positive ones.  It requires vigilance and effort, butwith practice we can achieve greater inner peace.

Please feed the depressed only fresh, wholesome foods, limit the sugars and fats and especially the processed fast foods.  Try to eliminate the sodas with water and maybe lemon....lets try to flush out the toxins in their system....and by all means try and get them outside each day for at least ten minutes of fresh air...start slow by walking....hopefully progress to briskly walking and or God willing a run someday.  Breathing deeply is powerful.

God bless. 

Wow!  Been there, done that.  Counseling, as well as meds saved my life, although it took years and years to find the right combo of meds.  I learned to turn the negative thoughts into positive.  I agree that Dr. Phil should have emphasized that counseling is key.  I was sexually abused as a child, as well as physically, emotionally, and yet I survived.

 I still have mood swings, but now I can recognize the moods and cope much better.  My self esteem is out of the toilet.  I would encourage all with BP, who feel unstable, to get into counseling, and get your thoughts and your lives under control.  You can live a happy life, in spite of your illness.  (Getting the public properly educated about mental illness would be a big help too.)

Staying on your meds is the most important part of phych treatment.  Mental illness is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.  Medications help to get the balance of chemicals back to where it should be.  If you go off of your meds when you feel better, you are just asking for trouble.

I suffer from panic attacks...stemming from childhood abuse...fear of running short of money before running short of bills...fear of the death of a family member...bad dreams...many causes.  I have a box that I keep by my bed...it's my  "worry box".  When I start having racing thoughts, I write down what the worry is on a small piece of paper...just a few words about it.  Then, I slip the paper into the box and let the worry go.  When I have time to deal with the worries the next day, I pray to God for His wisdom and guidance, then I open the box and deal rationally with each worry and try to find solutions, or decide that I wasted a worry on something not that important, or that some things are out of my control, and I just have to trust in God to lead me on the right path and to be there when I need somebody to lean on. 

I also take meds at bedtime that calm anxiety and help me to sleep.  A well-rested mind is more likely to be able to deal with daily stressors.  I take a combination of meds for the bipolar disorder too.  Without the meds...I'd be off the deep end in a heartbeat.  Been there, done that.

I hope you are feeling better, as it has been awhile since you posted.  You family should be your main support when you need it.  Afterall, you've been there for them all of their lives.  Your family loves you and will not get tired of taking care of "mom". 

Unmedicated Bipolar disorder is a fast train on a short track!

If you are worried about medication side effects, discuss it with your doctor.  Ask about side effects for every medication that your doctor wants to prescribe.  But, remember that everybody experiences side effects individually.  You may not have all of the side effects that the drug lists...you might not have any.  Sometimes, it is a trade-off...a few side effects in exchange for a peaceful mind.  Yes, you will need medication for the rest of your life, but you are still alive, and the meds can get you to a new level of normal.  Counseling is sooooo important too.  Counseling will give you the tools you need to cope with every day stressors.  It will help you to recognize your mood swings before they become extreme.

I have been on Bipolar meds for 10 years...I can't say it has all been a picnic, but I'm on a good combination of meds, and I take life one day at a time.

I'll pray for you.