Topic : Bipolar Disorder

I wish I had a Dr.Phil to talk to me the way he talks. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as well as Borderline Personality Disorder. I was married for 15 years, raised two daughters in faith. During the last few years I saught help for freakin weird mental condition that I refused to label or medicate because my church said "C'mon you are so strong."

I have no idea how I hide it so well but I do. I am on Lithium and see a therapist regularily. But they avoud my diagnoses? C'mon now this is my life. I'm told it genetic....well hell, I have two daughters. I love Dr.Phil and I know that since I am Canadian I may have underpriveledges. There is no where I can turn without going on a 4 yr waiting list or paying 5,000.00 which I do not have. My doctor will not allow me to work so I recieve a very small disability pension. Sometimes I get so frustrated with my illness that I drink too much. Other times I am strong and want to write a book to help others that feel the way I have felt. I truly want to make a difference by using my suffering to help others. I cannot stand self pity and refuse to give in to it. That's where suicide lives. Atleast when I drink I dont feel sorry for myself. Oh Dr.Phil, if you can ad some insight, even through a response on this message board. You are like the father I never had. You are so wise and compassionate. You are the perfect idea of the father I never had. I don't know where to turn. I'm asking? Will you send someone to respond to me? I feel so helpless

Hi Singer,

The best way to get a discussion going is to ask questions, so here's some for you. How long have you been Following this list of helps? Haven't you ever quit the meds to test if they are needed? Do your meds do more than mask the disorder?

Ted

Hi Singer,

The best way to get a discussion going is to ask questions, so here's some for you. How long have you been Following this list of helps? Haven't you ever quit the meds to test if they are needed? Do your meds do more than mask the disorder?

Ted

I wish I had a Dr.Phil to talk to me the way he talks. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as well as Borderline Personality Disorder. I was married for 15 years, raised two daughters in faith. During the last few years I saught help for freakin weird mental condition that I refused to label or medicate because my church said "C'mon you are so strong."

I have no idea how I hide it so well but I do. I am on Lithium and see a therapist regularily. But they avoud my diagnoses? C'mon now this is my life. I'm told it genetic....well hell, I have two daughters. I love Dr.Phil and I know that since I am Canadian I may have underpriveledges. There is no where I can turn without going on a 4 yr waiting list or paying 5,000.00 which I do not have. My doctor will not allow me to work so I recieve a very small disability pension. Sometimes I get so frustrated with my illness that I drink too much. Other times I am strong and want to write a book to help others that feel the way I have felt. I truly want to make a difference by using my suffering to help others. I cannot stand self pity and refuse to give in to it. That's where suicide lives. Atleast when I drink I dont feel sorry for myself. Oh Dr.Phil, if you can ad some insight, even through a response on this message board. You are like the father I never had. You are so wise and compassionate. You are the perfect idea of the father I never had. I don't know where to turn. I'm asking? Will you send someone to respond to me? I feel so helpless

Hi Singer,

The best way to get a discussion going is to ask questions, so here's some for you. How long have you been Following this list of helps? Haven't you ever quit the meds to test if they are needed? Do your meds do more than mask the disorder?

Ted

I'm going to try this again.   This message is to help people who are BiPolar, as am I.    I was shocked to find that this topic had no messages on it from people who have the illness or their

family members.   Is this a usual thing for the message board.   I went through two pages and stopped.

My own helps are:

-Take medicine as directed

-Get blood levels four times a year.

-See doctor four times a year close to the level tests.

-Do what doctor tells me to do.

I pray Dr. Phil is monitoring this message board since I think mine is one of the few actual messages about the illness.     God bless everyone with this illness.    Dr. Phil, see what you can do about

monitoring this topic better.

Sincerely,

Singer45

Here are a few resources that may be helpful.

www.bipolar.com

www.dbsalliance.org

www.nami.org

www.psycheducation.org

www.nimh.nih.gov

Burns, D.D. (1980) Feeling Good (ISBN 0-380-73176-2)

Fawcet, J., Golden, B. & Rosenfeld, N. (2000) New Hope for People With Bipolar Disorder. (ISBN 0-7615-3008-8)

Jamison, K., (1995). An Unquiet Mind. (ISBN 0-679-76330-9)

Mcquaid, J.R. & Carmona, P.E. (2004). Peaceful Mind. (ISBN 1-57224-366-X)

Miklowitz, D.J. (2002). The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide. (ISBN 1-57230-525-8)