Topic : Bipolar Disorder

I'm in complete darkness. It is overwheming me. I wrote my good by notes. I know its close I smell it. The voices in my head are so deafning. I feel im losing. When is enough enough.  I'm a burden to everyone.

I'm afriad of what I'm capable of. Should I stop myself?

Happy New year to everyone. I'm here in hopes of getting others advice, opinions about  how one whom which has this disorder along with a few extras, would help others in their lives learn how to handle issue if they arise. I have been bi-polar all my life and as my years go by I now have found that even knowing and seeing, it seems no one paid attention.

With out going into a book, recently (2 weeks) I myself have been on cocktails which are new to me and many reactions to meds are revers and I for the first time with this disorder scared myself having the worse out break to date....but now I find my husband hurting because he doesn't understand  that he himself can not help me other then to hold me.  I would like to know, how others have brought some comfort to the spouses.....I do have a few more questions to put out but I would like to open up my hello with the one which I concider the most important....Thank you for reading and now I wil sit back and listen.

like you are having a pretty rough time.  My heart goes out to you.  Have you seen your doctor?  If not I think you should not hesitate.  There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm sure you know that down deep inside.  So run, don't walk, to see your doc.

 

Keep us posted please....

 

Susan

It sounds like you are in the depressive phase of bipolar...I agree with Susan...go see your doctor or therapist right away...If I remember right, you are not currently on meds?  You are not a burden to anybody...that is the depression clouding your mind...YES, YOU SHOULD STOP YOURSELF!!!!

 

When I am depressed, I, too, am afraid of what I am capable of, and of the terrible thoughts that pop into my head.  Hang in there, and go see your doctor...perhaps it is time for some meds...there are a lot of new meds out there that don't have the bad side effects that the older meds have.

 

Take Care, Becky

My husband has been very understanding and patient...whether I deserve it or not.  We have been married almost 27 years.

 

It might be helpful for your husband to read up on bipolar disorder.  There are a lot of helpful web sites...the most helpful one that I have found is www.nami.org  

 

If your husband has the info needed, he might better understand your illness. There is a lot he can do for you...just being there...giving you support and hugs.

 

My husband is my barometer...often, he recognizes the manic phase before I do...it's just too much fun being slightly manic...but expensive too...I tend to spend too much when I am manic.  When I am depressed, he is there to encourage me...he knows that he can't "pull" me out of the depression, but he understands what is going on, and that helps a lot.

 

When I am experiencing changing moods, or swining too far one way or the other, I have the flexibility to adjust my meds, within limits.  If things get too far out of hand, I will contact my doctor, and we can talk about a plan to manage the symptoms.

 

I would encourage you to bring your husband to one or two of your apointments with your doctor...your doc might have some insight to give to your husband, and might have some suggestions of supporting you and your changing moods.  It might give him an outlet for his hurting, and he may feel that he is helping you more, therefore feeling better about the situation.

 

I hope this is helpful to you....Becky

Yesterday, I watched the Montel Williams show, and I thought he was making some very irresponsible claims.  He has a book about 21 days to wellness, or something like that.  It is full of lifestyle changes that people can make to improve their health and well being.  It was something like an infomercial!!

 

The irresponsible part was when he said that he "cured" his bipolar symptoms with diet alone...I think that is a CROCK!!!!  We all know that the foods we eat definitely affect our health...both good and bad...but to say the food and exercise alone can alleviate the bipolar disorder symptoms is very irresponsible.  Most of us here are on meds, and we have had "train wrecks" by going off of the meds.  I went to his website to give him my opinion, but he doesn't have a "contact the show" section on the site (chicken if you ask me).

 

Dr. Phil, thanks for having a forum where we can express our opinions and contact your staff regarding issues on our minds.  I really like having the opportunity to chat with others who have a lot in common with me...I don't feel so alone.

 

SHAME ON MONTEL WILLIAMS FOR BEING SO IRRESPONSIBLE!!!!

 

Becky

This is why I have found myself not watching the television for the fact that not all the correct information is not given out, so here I am on Doctor Phil's place, where I know there is a collective group of doctors, as well as patience that know the facts, and know that not all of the facts are the same for everyone. Besides, it saves on the cable bill.

 

Regina Rea

Thank you for the information, spoke with the husband. Both of us will sit down and go through the website you recommended together, it is a start, something we have not had before. He also recently accompanied me to my appointment (with the doctor), and was able to ask questions, and participate. I believe this has allowed him to feel he is more apart of this, and will help strenthen our bond. Thank you again.

 

Forget me not

Regina Rea

i am a stay at home mother to my 18 month old son. my husband works 40+ a week, and i have no family or friends in this city. i have a family history of depression, as well as a personal history of depression and anxiety. i am a survivor of sexual abuse, and have had a very very difficult time coping with various other hardships and losses in my life. i do not have insurance, hopefully my husband's company will provide our family with it this year, but my problem is this: i cannot cope. before we had my son, i was a fully functioning alcoholic, as a form of self-medication.  now i do not drink at all. i have no desire to. but i am really the only person raising our son, since we can't afford help, or pre-school. i find myself coming in and out of depressive states, and fight panic/anxiety attacks on a daily basis (dealing w/ a toddler, you can only imagine why). i would love to seen a phychiatrist, therapist, or anyone that would even be able to help me with pX meds to maintain a healthy balance - but i can't afford it.  i don't know what to do, and i'm starting to have more days of feeling imbalanced. i can't stand for my son to see me this way, and many times i leave him in his crib so i can go into my room and cry. please someone. i need advice. i love my family and am otherwise healthy and happy, but there's just too many triggers now, and i can't control them all. i have no help, and feel SO alone. any advice is appreciated.

Please go to your social services office. They are so helpful. They can get you on Medicare, based on your income. My husband makes $33,000/year and we are allowed to have me on Medicare which makes my prescriptions $2-$5 tops. I see a Medicare psychiatrist, who is wonderful. Med. pays all her fees. It took 2 weeks for me to get all this help, due to a kind social services worker. Don't give up!!!