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Topic : Bipolar Disorder

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Created on : Thursday, July 07, 2005, 08:57:16 am
Author : dataimport

Patients suffering from Bipolar disorder face many difficult challenges. Share your story and get support from those who understand.

 

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April 4, 2006, 8:53 pm PDT

Bipolar Disorder

Quote From: snowslopes

I am a mother of a bio polar son who is 16 years old. I am looking for any one to talk to about what he is going through and how I can help him. He takes his medications. But he still has rages that he can't control. I am very tired. I have walked on egg shells for so long.
My heart goes out to you. My husband also says that he walks on egg shells. He always knows when  I am getting my cycle before me, because I turn into someone else. Talk to your dr about the rages. I would have rages with my kids and I told my dr and he gave me meds that would calm me down in 15 minutes. I was worried because my husband works nights and I am alone with my kids. I don't know if that would work, but it's what I do. Good luck and I hope everything gets better for you and your family.               Kris
 
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April 5, 2006, 5:47 am PDT

Bipolar Disorder

Quote From: ljmsrm

I was diagnosed with bipolar 7 years ago, I have been having a rough time, I stopped taking my meds about a year ago and have been going downhill ever since, it has taken me awhile to realize this. It is hard though, my husband does stick by me, it is still hurtful when he throws my problem in my face all the time, I am going to get back on my meds , I couldn't afford them at the time some cost $500 for one month prescription. My husband means well but he doesn't help things alot of the times,  I always think I'm not a good mother, This is hard for me to talk about, all my life I have pushed people away from me, My childhood was horrible also, which probably makes me worse. I was molested as a child, raped when I was 15, and my stepfather used to beat us physically and emotionally. Sometimes I just want to give up. Lately I have been on a major manic episode (I don't think I have, everyone else is telling me) , I am so glad I am not alone, I need someone to talk to other than my husband. 

As you have realized the bi polar doesnt get any easier. It gets worse. Please if there is anyway toget on the meds you need do it. Can you get on a program to help with the meds. I am sorry that you dont have support from your husband that makes the situation very difficult to deal with. I am the same as you. when people get to close i start to push them away. I too was molested as a child and it just feels like it happened yesterday and effects the relationships that you bond. Hang in there. there is light at the end of the tunnel. Can you get on sliding scale fee to see a pdoc or therapist? Please dont give up because talking from experience you can get help for this and get you stabalized so the rough spots arent so bad. Vent all you want on this board. We are here to support and listen to others and be encourgaing. to one another. You are important.  

  

Blaze  

 
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April 5, 2006, 5:57 am PDT

Bipolar Disorder

Quote From: suzannekin

I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in 1992.  This disease has almost ruined my life.  Each day it becomes more and more apparent that this disease will be the death of me.  I am so tired of fighting to be "normal".  The medications for this disease "giveth and taketh away".  When I am medicated I lose my artistic and creative ability that is an essential part of me.   I am constantly plagued with voices and hallucinations that cause me to live a life of paranoia and fear.  The first sensation I feel when I awake each morning is panic.  I am 45 years old and each year it becomes more difficult to survive.  I just want it to end.  I just want peace.
A person once told me. Normal is a place bi polar visit, never being able to stay there... I feel for you i have been dealing with this illness for 7 years and the ups and downs have been unbelieveble. it took them four years to get the right med combination. Fianlly i think they got the right combo. Geodon and Lamictal. I dont have the hallucinations or paranoia but fear of everything. My heart does feel for you. Are you going to a pdoc or therapist? has that helped you. Please dont end it. Alot of people would no be devestated at that action. But i know the feeling of wanting to just be at peace and not deal with this roallar coaster ride anymore. Hang in there. and if your pdoc is not helping you get to one that will. Know you are cared about on this board.
 
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April 5, 2006, 6:10 am PDT

Bipolar Disorder

Quote From: biskit5674

I don't have bi-polar disorder , but my husband does.  He was diagnosed 11 yrs.  ago and has been going from doctor to doctor, only because of me.  He won't dedicate himself to getting better as it is very hard to deal with on  my end.  I have lost alot in our marriage because of it.  I'm lost on what else to do. I f there is anything I can do?

Mesan is right. Until he decides to do something about his illness then he wont get the help he needs. you hve to know that he is not the same person you married due to the illness. It changes a person. He is the same but the illness brings out the uglyiness in him. and the rollar coaster ride that is hard to get off. My husband has dealt with me for over 7 years and has tried to be supportive on this. i go to my therapist and pdoc. so i do my part to try to get better and he supports that. Thats very important. If your husband had another illness say heart diesease or diabetes what would you do? would you see what you have lost or would you support him> Hope that didnt come across the wrong way. Just the point of support. but it is hard... and my applause goes to you that you are staying with him and helping him the best you can. Learn as much as you can on this disorder is another way to help. But you have probably done that. Vent all you want we want to hear f rom you.  

  

  

blaze  

 
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April 5, 2006, 7:07 am PDT

Thank you

Quote From: blazes06

A person once told me. Normal is a place bi polar visit, never being able to stay there... I feel for you i have been dealing with this illness for 7 years and the ups and downs have been unbelieveble. it took them four years to get the right med combination. Fianlly i think they got the right combo. Geodon and Lamictal. I dont have the hallucinations or paranoia but fear of everything. My heart does feel for you. Are you going to a pdoc or therapist? has that helped you. Please dont end it. Alot of people would no be devestated at that action. But i know the feeling of wanting to just be at peace and not deal with this roallar coaster ride anymore. Hang in there. and if your pdoc is not helping you get to one that will. Know you are cared about on this board.
Thank you so much for your understanding.  One thing I have noticed is that those of us who suffer from Bipolar Disorder often feel so lost and alone.  The struggle for sanity somehow sets us apart from others.  I rarely leave my home because I think that people can "see" the bipolar.  I am not on any meds right now and am not doing well at all.  I have no health insurance and cannot get any because of my history of bipolar.  I have been on every medication known to science I believe.  During one severe manic episode in 1996 I was hospitalized for several months.  They kept me so heavily sedated on Valium that I now have what is known as drug induced amnesia.  I have literally lost years of memories.  Each day I see what this disease is doing to the people I love.  My poor husband will sit and cry and say he feels so helpless and doesn't know what to do anymore.  Bipolar Disorder is a cunning disease too.  It targets my weaknesses and exacerbates them until my anxiety level is out the roof.  It causes me to trust no one, not even my husband.  And when I am cycling, I lose my appetite and stop eating.  I weigh less than 100 lbs now and feel so weak and tired all the time.  It's a viscious cycle and I don't know how much longer I can do this.  Thank you again for your understanding.  Whenever I hear from someone who can relate to what I am going through it gives me a glimmer of hope that one day I will find the answer I am so desperately searching for.
 
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April 5, 2006, 7:19 am PDT

Raising Awareness

Quote From: kris2020

Hi everyone, I went to a diversity training for work today. It was an organization that deals with helping  people with disabilities.  We had to do stations that would show what is would be like with certain disabilties. We had to use a wheelchair, try to schoolwork like someone with adhd, have our hands taped and try to do every day things. It was very interesting and enlightening. I signed up to be a volunteer because I was that impressed.  

I talked to the head of this organization about being bipolar. I asked her if they have ever done any stations with that. She said they didn't know how to show people what it's like to be bipolar. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. This "silent " disability (as they call it ) needs to get some attention. I believe that people need to understand that all disabilities cannot be seen. 

  

I have no idea what to say or do. I would appreciate any help with this project. I would like to really educate people. 

  

Thanks. Kris 

Like you I would also like for people to understand the nature of Bipolar Disorder.  I want to raise awareness about how Bipolar tries to destroy not only those who suffer from it, but families and loved ones as well.  It is a viscious disease and there are times when the medications are worse than the disease itself.  And there is such a stigma attached to mental illnesses anyway that people just don't understand what a living hell Bipolar Disorder can be.  My goal in life is to raise awareness so that there will be better diagnosis and treatment plans for all who are suffering from this devastating illness.  So many of us can't afford to seek help.  In fact, I cannot even get health insurance because I am Bipolar. 
 
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April 5, 2006, 9:07 am PDT

Another day of feeling like crap.........

Well I'm in Chicago visiting my family for a few days. My mom has been sick and she wants to come back home to Georgia with me, plus she wants to see the grandkids. My family is so dysfunctional it's not even funny. All my life it's been that way. We all have our own problems and issues and ways of dealing with things. But still its just so much drama!! I have 2 sisters who are drug addicts, another who has an gambling problem and a small problem with "coke", but she says shes not an addict cause she only does it every now and again...oh please. I have a brother I hardly talk to, let alone see. I don't even know how his kids look, its been that long since I seen all of them. My one sister literally kick my mom out a few months ago and she ended up staying with a friend of the family who had 5 wild kids, that drove her crazy and some even stole from her. And now my mom is living back with the sister who throw her out? Isn't that just crazy! Coming home brings back so many memories, good and bad. I was treated like dirt all my life and I hold alot of resentment, anger and even hatred in me. I feel as though I'm the way I am because of that and how my family never really was there for me when I needed them the most. They never believed me about the teasing and bulling I suffered from in school, instead they done the same to me. They gave up on me when I was struggling with my depression and raising two kids on my own while going through so many mood swings and downfalls in my life. I was thrown out on the streets with my two kids by my sisrter after I moved in with her when my kids father left me. Because she was using me for money, my car and being a babysitter when she went on one of her binges and I put my foot down and she in return throw us out. I ended up living in a motel for 3 1/2 months paying $60.00 a night, eating nothing but peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. Plus I had to deal with my brother-in-law who was my babysitter, who also had a drug addition and would steal from me and even take my car and not come back in time for me to get to work on time. I ended up losing my job and almost ended up living in my car. That's how I ended up moving to Georgia and when I decided to change my life around. Which I have, but I still struggle with the bouts of depression, feelings of being worthless, having no money and everyone looking at me as living in proverty, which I guess I am. I never wanted this for me, let alone my kids and I can't get out and its tearing me apart, both mentally and emotionally. There is so much more God I just want to SCREAM!! I want to vent it all out, open up old wounds and ask why? Why was I treated so bad, why I'm I the one suffering so bad when I changed my life around? WHY!!!! But I can't, because I feel it's me against the world. Plus why open old wounds ....right? I'm sure my family would really disown me, if I said how I really feel about things, especially our childhoods. That is why I wish Dr. Phil would talk to me and tell me what I need to do. No one understands, people here say go see your doctor and talk about being bi-polar, but I have and she has done nothing and medicaid don't cover going to see a psychiatrist. And it's more then just the depression, I have deep regression in me from my past and it's all bottled up inside me. Plus I have no car to go and no money to pay to see a psychiatrist. Believe me if I did I would be seeing one, I know I need to see one. I even think to myself that maybe I have adult ADD because of my inability to control my anger and the racing thoughts going through my head and the horrible mood swings. I can't talk to no one, especially my doctor, because she just don't understand or she would say it's "Anxiety" and just put me on the back burner and take care of others who have the money to pay. Like I said before, I told my doctor how I felt and she said it's anxiety. I was going to see her on a regular basis but now I only go for basic treatment for illness because I get so discouraged by this because I feel I'm treated this way because I'm on walfare and I'm last on the totem pole. I feel like no one is realy concerned about my well being, so why should I? I can't get help, can't afford it, don't want to see a quack who would say I'm an unfit mom and take my kids away or a quack who says its all in my head and get over it and cover it up as being "anxiety" and my heart palpatations are from caffine. I stopped the amount of caffine I used to drink, stopped smoking, but still it has not helped. I'm still stressed out and overwhelmed. That is why I need Dr. Phil, but I know that's impossible. I sent him several letters and still nothing. I just don't deserve to get the treatment I need to get better, I never have so why start now. Thanks for letting me vent once again.  

 

Patti 

 
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April 5, 2006, 9:30 am PDT

Bipolar Disorder

Quote From: mensan

Did you catch pneumonia on your walk? I thought it was a little cold for a long walk. Looking forward to hearing from you again. Want to hear all the juicy details. I've been having book problems. As usual. 

Hi Jane 

  

I did go to the doctor on Monday and have bronchitis.  Antibiotics once again.  I'm still not really up to speed...but better than I was.  I have an awful headache this morning. 

  

The walk was sweet.  We talked.  Then he started holding my hand...cute.  The fresh air was good and it was warm...not hot...not cold.  But, then at 7:30 it got chilly and he walked me home...and then he went home.  I'm sure he would've liked it if I invited him in...but I didn't. 

  

The weather here has been back & forth...it's really struggling to get nice here.  Mon & Tues were nice and Tues was quite warm.  Now today it is cloudy, windy, sprinkles and yucky.  That's because Tuesday was "so nice".   

  

It's been an emotional two days for me.  I feel like I'm on a roller coaster.  My moods have been swinging.  It's frustrating.  Well, we'll see...that was the attitude I had...remember.  I did have suicidal thoughts on Monday.  Yesterday I was just angry.  So, the cycle is still going to be here.  I did go to PTSD counseling yesterday...it was different.  I don't think I could explain it...because I didn't get it...yet.  I was pretty wore out when I got home.   

  

So, what kind of problems are you having with your book?  I'm really wishing you the best success here...because I know it's been a strong goal for you.  How's the weather over there?  Are you getting out for your walks?  I used to live in San Antonio and had friends that lived in North Austin by you.  I don't have contact with them anymore...one of the things that happen when you are in the Air Force...different people all the time.   

  

I'm going to watch my little angel for a few hours today.  Did I tell you last time I had her...she wouldn't go home?   To cute...she's my sweetie.  I really enjoy my time with her.  I was hoping it would be nice today...I was going to take her for a walk.  I guess we'll just have to play indoors.   Well, she'll be here in about 15 minutes...so I'll chat with you later.  Rhonda   

 
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April 5, 2006, 9:30 am PDT

Okay

Quote From: emma08

Well I'm in Chicago visiting my family for a few days. My mom has been sick and she wants to come back home to Georgia with me, plus she wants to see the grandkids. My family is so dysfunctional it's not even funny. All my life it's been that way. We all have our own problems and issues and ways of dealing with things. But still its just so much drama!! I have 2 sisters who are drug addicts, another who has an gambling problem and a small problem with "coke", but she says shes not an addict cause she only does it every now and again...oh please. I have a brother I hardly talk to, let alone see. I don't even know how his kids look, its been that long since I seen all of them. My one sister literally kick my mom out a few months ago and she ended up staying with a friend of the family who had 5 wild kids, that drove her crazy and some even stole from her. And now my mom is living back with the sister who throw her out? Isn't that just crazy! Coming home brings back so many memories, good and bad. I was treated like dirt all my life and I hold alot of resentment, anger and even hatred in me. I feel as though I'm the way I am because of that and how my family never really was there for me when I needed them the most. They never believed me about the teasing and bulling I suffered from in school, instead they done the same to me. They gave up on me when I was struggling with my depression and raising two kids on my own while going through so many mood swings and downfalls in my life. I was thrown out on the streets with my two kids by my sisrter after I moved in with her when my kids father left me. Because she was using me for money, my car and being a babysitter when she went on one of her binges and I put my foot down and she in return throw us out. I ended up living in a motel for 3 1/2 months paying $60.00 a night, eating nothing but peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. Plus I had to deal with my brother-in-law who was my babysitter, who also had a drug addition and would steal from me and even take my car and not come back in time for me to get to work on time. I ended up losing my job and almost ended up living in my car. That's how I ended up moving to Georgia and when I decided to change my life around. Which I have, but I still struggle with the bouts of depression, feelings of being worthless, having no money and everyone looking at me as living in proverty, which I guess I am. I never wanted this for me, let alone my kids and I can't get out and its tearing me apart, both mentally and emotionally. There is so much more God I just want to SCREAM!! I want to vent it all out, open up old wounds and ask why? Why was I treated so bad, why I'm I the one suffering so bad when I changed my life around? WHY!!!! But I can't, because I feel it's me against the world. Plus why open old wounds ....right? I'm sure my family would really disown me, if I said how I really feel about things, especially our childhoods. That is why I wish Dr. Phil would talk to me and tell me what I need to do. No one understands, people here say go see your doctor and talk about being bi-polar, but I have and she has done nothing and medicaid don't cover going to see a psychiatrist. And it's more then just the depression, I have deep regression in me from my past and it's all bottled up inside me. Plus I have no car to go and no money to pay to see a psychiatrist. Believe me if I did I would be seeing one, I know I need to see one. I even think to myself that maybe I have adult ADD because of my inability to control my anger and the racing thoughts going through my head and the horrible mood swings. I can't talk to no one, especially my doctor, because she just don't understand or she would say it's "Anxiety" and just put me on the back burner and take care of others who have the money to pay. Like I said before, I told my doctor how I felt and she said it's anxiety. I was going to see her on a regular basis but now I only go for basic treatment for illness because I get so discouraged by this because I feel I'm treated this way because I'm on walfare and I'm last on the totem pole. I feel like no one is realy concerned about my well being, so why should I? I can't get help, can't afford it, don't want to see a quack who would say I'm an unfit mom and take my kids away or a quack who says its all in my head and get over it and cover it up as being "anxiety" and my heart palpatations are from caffine. I stopped the amount of caffine I used to drink, stopped smoking, but still it has not helped. I'm still stressed out and overwhelmed. That is why I need Dr. Phil, but I know that's impossible. I sent him several letters and still nothing. I just don't deserve to get the treatment I need to get better, I never have so why start now. Thanks for letting me vent once again.  

 

Patti 

One more time. Your community mental health center does not charge for a psychiatrist's care nor do they charge for medications if you can't afford them. It's beginning to sound as though you are making excuses for not seeking treatment rather trying to help yourself. When I sought treatment I did not have any income and just knew that I had to get help. At the time I didn't have a diagnosis. I just knew that I wasn't right and that I wouldn't be right until I got help. It took me five years to get the right meds, but I  have been stable on meds for 18 years. Why do you assume that you can't do it? You are waiting for Dr. Phil to solve your problems? That's not Dr. Phil's job. It is your job to do it. There was a lot less help and a lot fewer meds available when I was seeking help--and no Dr. Phil. Nothing will happen until you do it. No one will swope down and take care of you. You have to do it. If you want things to get better, you have to make it happen. 

 
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April 5, 2006, 9:37 am PDT

I understand more then you know.....

Quote From: suzannekin

Thank you so much for your understanding.  One thing I have noticed is that those of us who suffer from Bipolar Disorder often feel so lost and alone.  The struggle for sanity somehow sets us apart from others.  I rarely leave my home because I think that people can "see" the bipolar.  I am not on any meds right now and am not doing well at all.  I have no health insurance and cannot get any because of my history of bipolar.  I have been on every medication known to science I believe.  During one severe manic episode in 1996 I was hospitalized for several months.  They kept me so heavily sedated on Valium that I now have what is known as drug induced amnesia.  I have literally lost years of memories.  Each day I see what this disease is doing to the people I love.  My poor husband will sit and cry and say he feels so helpless and doesn't know what to do anymore.  Bipolar Disorder is a cunning disease too.  It targets my weaknesses and exacerbates them until my anxiety level is out the roof.  It causes me to trust no one, not even my husband.  And when I am cycling, I lose my appetite and stop eating.  I weigh less than 100 lbs now and feel so weak and tired all the time.  It's a viscious cycle and I don't know how much longer I can do this.  Thank you again for your understanding.  Whenever I hear from someone who can relate to what I am going through it gives me a glimmer of hope that one day I will find the answer I am so desperately searching for.

I feel for you and understand what you're going through. I too feel so lost and alone, and I have my husband and our kids and his family around me all the time, who love and care about me, but they really don't understand what I go through on a daily basis. I feel people are judging me all the time and can see my rage and insercurities. I am not on any meds either, except Wellbutrin XL. My doctor told me I'm suffering from "anxiety" and that is what causes my heart palpatations and pain in my chest. She also put me on Metoprolol to help "regulate" my blood. All my life I've had servere mood swings and bouts of depression. I can't control my anger, I feel worthless all the time and that I'm not good enough and don't deserve to be "normal". I've never been hospitalized or told I had bi-polar. But I've gone to many websites and looked up info and took test's and all point to me suffering from it. My doctor don't see it I guess or maybe I'm not telling her enough about my symptoms. I'm on medicaid and it does not cover seeing a psychiatrist. And what has happened to you about your memory is excaltly what I'm so scared of or being told I'm an unfit mom and my kids being taken away from me. And for me I eat more, not less. I've gained about 25 lbs, because when I feel alone and depressed, food is my friend and comforts me. It's just so sad and depressing and I'm so scared of hurting my kids because they see me go through this and I take it out on them, by cursing at them, yelling, screaming, just flying off the handle. Anyway, just remember you are not alone and be thankful for the message boards, they are such a big help, well they are for me. They may not stop the emotional roller coaster your on, but it will help with the ride. Take care & God bless. 

  

Patti 

 
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