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March 8, 2006, 6:45 am PST

correction

Quote From: liatsunami

I think one of the largest misconceptions that society has about this disease is that it has various levels and two major types, and one that goes hand in hand with the dignosis of schizoprenia. The first type of bipolar is "bi polar without psychotic episodes" (Type1). The second is "bi-polar with psychotic episodes" (Type 2). The third is "bipolar with psychotic episodes and symptoms of schizoprenia". In the media we often see Type 2 and schizoprenia being portrayed, rather than Type1.

Most of of the people diagnosed as Bi-Polar are not dangerous to others, they are more dangerous to themselves. While some have reoccuring thoughts of killing people or hurting people, most do not act on them. In fact most people experiencing these thoughts tend to be very upset by them. Usually the highly dangerous people with mental illlness are the ones with anti-social personality disorder or attatchment disorders. or severe dementia.

The paranoid behavior of some bipolar patients is most likely an idicator of paranoid schizoprenia, and should be looked into accordingly.

Most people with Type 1 can live relatively normal lives, some even without medication. Type 2 is more difficult to control, but with the proper treatment and medication and supervision of the condition, those afflicted with it can lead productive lives. It is most difficult for schizophrenics with bi-polar disorder to function because the medications only even out the mood, and decrease psychotic episodes(which occur during the ACTIVE PHASE), they do not deal with syptoms of the PASSIVE PHASE.

For their own safety some people should be institutionalized, but the need for this is very rare.

actually I believe bi-polar 1 is considered the more extreme case of bi-polar and bi-polar 2 the less extreme. This is why it is surprising to me that the people on this show were diagnosed with bi-polar 2. To me they seem to have the severe case of it. I did follow up my hunch with internet research to make sure I was correct on this. But please correct me if I'm wrong.

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 7:12 am PST

back again

Quote From: skittercat

I wrote about my son-in-laws having electric shock therapy, and noone responded. I just want to know if this is a legitimate treatment. I have my doubts. Please give me some answers.

There was an article in the Boston Globe science/ health section this week on mood disorder medications. They briefly did a time line and mentioned the use of electric shock therapy for depression back in the 40s/50s. They mentioned how it was used innapropriately to control unruely hospital patients, and so fell out of favor. However, apparently there has been a resurgence of the therapy for use with depression. It did not mention anything about bi-polar. But I think it's smart of you to ask and you should definatley look into it more- internet's invaluable! But make sure they're reliable sources.

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 7:27 am PST

a case of blame

Quote From: kapotia

You have got to be kidding me! It is VERY clear that you are one of those people who don't really understand bipolar disorder and its manifestations and consequences. Imagine not being able to trust your own thoughts because you're not sure if you really feel that way or if its the bipolar disorder talking...imagine having so many amazing ideas and goals and not being able to put them into motion because you can't maintain focus on that one thought long enough to make it happen...then imagine feeling so helpless and hopeles that you don't even want to wake up anymore...it's too hard to face another day feeling like this...you don't want to feel this way anymore...

Trust me sweetheart, family and friends do not suffer more than the person with bipolar disorder...and if people like you could understand it, we wouldn't suffer as much.

It seems to me adoanna, you have a right to be angry and frustrated. But I think you are misplacing your anger at your sister. She did not ask for this disease, as much as you did not ask to be related to someone with this disease. You definatley has some anger that needs addressing and validation, but remember to correctly place your anger or the disease or the situation. not your sister. I think people by default tend to blame to deal. It's much easer to blame a person than some abstract or often vague and confussing disease. Please keep this in mind. You and your sister are in this together.

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 7:47 am PST

misplaced blame

Quote From: adoanne

My sister was diagnosed as Manic-Depressed after 20 years of a roller-coaster lifestyle that took her family and friends with her. Truth be told.....it was harder on her family than it was on her. When she was on the straight and narrow, she held a job, lived on her own, and then decided that she was cured and stopped taking her medicine. Then the high..........debts, job loss, weight gain. Then soon after, the inevitable "crash". Regrets, tears, pit of despair. My parents would rush in, clean up her mess and ready the world for her next appearance. She would emerge from the hospital....hopeful, confident and ready to start all over. They would be worn down with worry and financial woes. Then it would start all over!

The major reason for all all this? She would self diagnose and decide on her own that she didn't need the medications. You could ask her if she was taking her medicine and she would look you in the eye and lie every time. As soon as she started laughing too loud, everyone would brace themselves.

From my experience, the family and friends of the "bi-polar" person suffers much more than they ever do.

It seems to me adoanna, you have a right to be angry and frustrated. But I think you are misplacing your anger at your sister. She did not ask for this disease, as much as you did not ask to be related to someone with this disease. You definatley has some anger that needs addressing and validation, but remember to correctly place your anger or the disease or the situation. not your sister. I think people by default tend to blame to deal. It's much easer to blame a person than some abstract or often vague and confussing disease. Please keep this in mind. You and your sister are in this together.

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 8:06 am PST

suggestions?

Quote From: elanenergy

It is with so much sadness and empathy that I read your posts and watch Dr. Phil's show on this dreadful disorder. My only child, Eric, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 9, following an ADHD diagnosis at age 6. My husband and I divorced after 20 years due to an ugly betrayal and subsequent marriage and child with his new bride. This, I believe, is what sent my boy into full fledged bipolar. He had good treatment from a psychiatrist and counselor, but we could never find the right meds. He went to public school, but it was probably coming to an end because of his anger and disrespect. Eric was not Bipolar II, but he had become increasingly violent during his rages--punching me in the arm and taking a knife and threatening me. Each time, I would call the psychiatrist and we would up the meds to help him be stable. But he ended up secretly taking his own life---not in a state of pyschosis because I was just upstairs and he didn't make a peep. Now, one year later, I'm just numb. Dead, for all intents and purposes. My reason for living is gone. And he was my best friend, and the person I most admired in the world. He managed his disease like a champ. But make no mistake. Even Bipolar I can end in suicide--15-20% of biopolar people take their own life. Please keep seeking help. And don't stop until you feel you've found the right help. With all my blessings.

I have long time been diagnosed with depression, but more recently the diagnosis was correctly changed to bi-polar. And I am deeply aware of all the effects of bi-polar. But the issue isn't so much mine . My boyfriends brother was recently diagnosed with bi-polar , after we finally convinced him to go to a Dr. He recently moved in with my boyfriend and myself after being evicted from his apartment. He is a talented musician, but has trouble holding a job, and has a drinking problem. He's been giving stuff away, and talkes about living in a van and driving across country, or just taking off to somewhere far away (sounds like dropping off the face of the planet to me). These tendancies sound very suicidal to me and they scare me. even if he's not consciously suicidal it sounds like he's quickly moving in that direction. After the Dr. diagnosed him, he said great thanks doc, see ya. I think he does believe he has the disease, but does not seem to believe in medication or want to see a therapist (even though we're willing to pay for it). It doesn't help that his family is very anit-medication (I have trouble with my boyfriend you seems to think medication is a conspiracy to create a need by the drug companies- idiot ,I know) any way- this is his brother, and his mother is no better. We're pretty sure his father committed suicide after a long time illness. and my friend believes he is much like his father and destined to carry out his fathers legacy-(suicide included?). This is an extrmely intelligent man. I'm smart too, but when you try to have a conversation with him, he can philisophically rationally anything-well. He has such logical, well thought out justicications for suicide, for not taking medications, or seeing a docter.. His state really scares me. He doesn't seem to want any help, (except room and board). I know sometimes it takes bottoming out before someone accepts help. But what if his bottoming out is suicide. What do I do? His brother and I are scared that there is nothiing else we can do but watch him disintigrate. We could really use some suggestions. Anyone?

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 8:40 am PST

best brand fish oil?

Quote From: gibson8313

i wanted to let all of you know my information I found while doing a paper for my pyschology class on omega-3 fish oil being used as additional treatment for bipolar. First I want to start out by saying the study I found says that it has to be omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, not flax seed or some of the others. The body breaks up the two omega-3 differently and it has to do with the % absorbed. My husband was told he had bipolar "tendencies" but the doctor felt he delt more with ADHD. I brought up the study I had found about the omega-3 to my husbands doctor, who hadn't heard of it, and agreed to try it out my husband was taking 4 of the 1200 mg twice daily. The actual study had theit patients taking more but because the doctor was unfamiliar with it thats all he wanted to try. I say he was taking it because he recently stopped about a month ago and 2 days ago he had one of the worst rage attacks he has ever had in over a year. He never had one while on the the fish oil. He still got irritable occationaly but it was never anything that just letting him be didn't clear up with in an hour or so. He never had rage. Just another example of why people with bipolar should never stop there meds, but how many time it happens just because they feel better. The research strongly states the this is not a suppliment treatment, but one to be added to those who are not responding well to there current meds. My husband wasn't being treat at all for bipolar just an antidepressant, zanax for anxiety, and adderal for his ADHD, but i got the doctor to agree to try the fish oil therapy. One reason he agreed is because it is a natural suppliment and has not side effects other than some fishy smell of the capsule. My husband never had a bad after taste or fish burps. Of course I would never recommend that anyone try the omega-3 without first consulting with there doctor first.

Thanks so much for addressing my post. Could you please enlighten me to which brand of fish oil you use. perhaps its the brand I'm using that is causing the unpleasant side-effects. Or when or what I take it with. Thanks so much!

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 8:47 am PST

suggestions?

I have long time been diagnosed with depression, but more recently the diagnosis was correctly changed to bi-polar. And I am deeply aware of all the effects of bi-polar. But the issue isn't so much mine . My boyfriends brother was recently diagnosed with bi-polar , after we finally convinced him to go to a Dr. He recently moved in with my boyfriend and myself after being evicted from his apartment. He is a talented musician, but has trouble holding a job, and has a drinking problem. He's been giving stuff away, and talkes about living in a van and driving across country, or just taking off to somewhere far away (sounds like dropping off the face of the planet to me). These tendancies sound very suicidal to me and they scare me. even if he's not consciously suicidal it sounds like he's quickly moving in that direction. After the Dr. diagnosed him, he said great thanks doc, see ya. I think he does believe he has the disease, but does not seem to believe in medication or want to see a therapist (even though we're willing to pay for it). It doesn't help that his family is very anit-medication (I have trouble with my boyfriend you seems to think medication is a conspiracy to create a need by the drug companies- idiot ,I know) any way- this is his brother, and his mother is no better. We're pretty sure his father committed suicide after a long time illness. and my friend believes he is much like his father and destined to carry out his fathers legacy-(suicide included?). This is an extrmely intelligent man. I'm smart too, but when you try to have a conversation with him, he can philisophically rationally anything-well. He has such logical, well thought out justicications for suicide, for not taking medications, or seeing a docter.. His state really scares me. He doesn't seem to want any help, (except room and board). I know sometimes it takes bottoming out before someone accepts help. But what if his bottoming out is suicide. What do I do? His brother and I are scared that there is nothiing else we can do but watch him disintigrate. We could really use some suggestions. Anyone?

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 8:53 am PST

Hallelujiah

Quote From: sunshine80

Newsflash: "Reading the Bible DOES NOT cure bipolar after all!" I read it cover-to-cover twice, but I still have bipolar! Darn it! Does the original author really think that you can fix an illness with a book? Fortunately, reading the bible does help cure some, even serious forms of more harmful diseases called "stupidity" and "ignorance". I am a very religious person, and God made me the way he wants me to be. He made me for a reason, and he has a purpose for me that suits his will and not yours! Through me and other people, Bipolar or not, God does wonderful things that will help to build others up and strengthen their faith in His power. Maybe that is a concept that the original author can find in their Bible, or else they had better buy a new one.

Thanks for allowing me to vent, but I honestly could not be quiet!

Smile!

Sunshine

agree 100%. couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for taking the innitiative.

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 9:01 am PST

thank you.

Quote From: catbddmom

Hey Gang, I thought I posted a message last night on the boards but I don't see it.

Just wanted to mention that some people who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are finding they have a thyroid problem, once the correct thyroid tests are run:

FREE T3

FREE T4

TSH

THYROID PEROXIDASE (TPO)

and ANTITHYROGLOBULIN

The TSH alone can be inaccurate and very misleading.

There is a lot of good info at the thyroid connection to psychiatric problems at:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/myxedema-craziness/

You will find some good articles on the connection:

Thyroid Hormone and Bipolar Patients

http://www.satevepost.org/issues/2005/0708/7370468.shtml

A world-renowned expert on bipolar disorder discusses the latest research demonstrating that thyroid hormone can have a positive and profound effect on mood in bipolar patients.

Bipolar Link with Thyroid Condition

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-06/uopm-rzi061405.php

Thyroid and Bipolar Disorder

http://www.psycheducation.org/thyroid/introduction.htm

I hope this info helps someone.

Cathy

cathy_bdd_mom@yahoo.com

that was so very very helpful, thank you. I've been concerned lately my hypothyroidism wasn't being treated properly lately. Those are excellent sources to find out. thank you.

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jabusch

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March 8, 2006, 9:27 am PST

What to do?

I have long time been diagnosed with depression, but more recently the diagnosis was correctly changed to bi-polar. And I am deeply aware of all the effects of bi-polar. But the issue isn't so much mine . My boyfriends brother was recently diagnosed with bi-polar , after we finally convinced him to go to a Dr. He recently moved in with my boyfriend and myself after being evicted from his apartment. He is a talented musician, but has trouble holding a job, and has a drinking problem. He's been giving stuff away, and talkes about living in a van and driving across country, or just taking off to somewhere far away (sounds like dropping off the face of the planet to me). These tendancies sound very suicidal to me and they scare me. even if he's not consciously suicidal it sounds like he's quickly moving in that direction. After the Dr. diagnosed him, he said great thanks doc, see ya. I think he does believe he has the disease, but does not seem to believe in medication or want to see a therapist (even though we're willing to pay for it). It doesn't help that his family is very anit-medication (I have trouble with my boyfriend you seems to think medication is a conspiracy to create a need by the drug companies- idiot ,I know) any way- this is his brother, and his mother is no better. We're pretty sure his father committed suicide after a long time illness. and my friend believes he is much like his father and destined to carry out his fathers legacy-(suicide included?). This is an extrmely intelligent man. I'm smart too, but when you try to have a conversation with him, he can philisophically rationally anything-well. He has such logical, well thought out justicications for suicide, for not taking medications, or seeing a docter.. His state really scares me. He doesn't seem to want any help, (except room and board). I know sometimes it takes bottoming out before someone accepts help. But what if his bottoming out is suicide. What do I do? His brother and I are scared that there is nothiing else we can do but watch him disintigrate. We could really use some suggestions. Anyone?

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Messages By: jabusch

correction

back again

a case of blame

misplaced blame

suggestions?

best brand fish oil?

suggestions?

Hallelujiah

thank you.

What to do?