Bipolar disorder?

[Hoosier Momma]

Does anyone have this or know anything about it? My grandmother had it, although I never knew it until after she passed and my mother told me (she died in 1993 when I was 20). My uncle (mom's brother) is on medication for depression. I have been treated for depression, both with medication and therapy (but it's been almost 10 years since I've had either). I think I display a lot of symptoms of a bipolar type personality, but I'm not sure.

If I'm not using the correct medical terminology, forgive me...I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on the internet


If you don't feel comfortable discussing it in public, please pm me.

Thanks!

[Michelle]

My MIL has it and is supposed to take meds for it. When she's not taking the meds (like now), it's totally obvious. When she's in her manic phase she spends money she doesn't have and does all sorts of things that are very odd. She can't hold down a job and lives off of SS and rent from a house she owned w/my fil years ago before they got divorced.

When she's depressed, she won't talk to anyone for days and sleeps all day.

I don't know how much help I'd be, but if you have any specific questions, plmk.

[Michelle]

Here's a good site w/lots of info that may help:

http://www.bipolar.com/

If you search for bipolar on Google, you'll get LOTS of results.

HTH

[PrairieRose]

Gripey had a nephew that had it and it was dreadful. If you seriously think you have it I'd recommend you talk to your dr. as soon as possible and [B]TAKE THE MEDS[B]. If not for yourself then for your family.

[Michelle]

One thing I'd like to mention about the bipolar disorder is that the person who has it doesn't see anything wrong with their behavior, while everyone else around them can see it clear as day.

I agree with Lisa; if you suspect you have it, please contact your Dr. as soon as possible. I have depression, and I can't imagine being manic on top of it. The depression alone is hard to take.

[Hoosier Momma]

Thanks very much for the website...I am looking at it and recognize a lot of the symptoms in myself; however, I am going to keep reading and researching before I do anything else.

BTW, Michelle, your girls look so cute in those dresses!

[Hoosier Momma]

Oh, and Lisa, congrats on your weight loss...my sil lost 60 pounds last year and she looks better than I can remember in the 14 years I've known her.

[Michelle]

BTW, Michelle, your girls look so cute in those dresses!

Thank you! They're truly my pride and joy. Kathryn (the older one w/blond hair) hates that picture, but I adore it.

[Missy]

I am bipolar. I can't describe to you in words the ways it makes me feel. When i am down i am very down. when i am up i am very up. i can have an up or down and totally not remember what happened during those times..which can be days at a time. ( i am also disassociative, seperate from the BPD ) . Thank god for the support of my hubby.

[acidcookie]

I've known someone who is bipolar, but the rest of the knowledge I have of it is only from my psych degree.

[Dicod]

HM......my husband was diagnosed with this disorder about 2 years ago........as the others have mentioned if you think you might have it you might want to mention this to your doctor........my husband went from mania to being depressed for almost a year barely being able to get out of bed. His psychiatrist pretty much has him stable now on his meds which is wonderful because he is basically back to what I call "normal" for him. But the past 2 years were extremely rough.........especially being pregnant and giving birth during his lowest point of depression........but with many prayers and support of families we made it through and I just keep praying for his recovery. My prayers are with you.

[foxxyroxie]

I have bipolar disorder AKA manic-depressive disorder. For 1 1/2 years before that I was being treated with anti-depressants (i.e. Risperdal, Welbutrin, Lexapro with Trazadone, Seroquel, Ativan for sleep). I did the whole nine yards... 3 suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations and still felt I wasn't 'normal' and I still didn't feel like I was getting any better. The psychiatrist would tweak my medications and their doses. Still didn't feel much better.
In August of 2005, I was looking up bipolar disorder for a friend who was diagnosed in 2004. The more I read the more I saw myself. When I was in a manic phase I got little or no sleep and had pretty irresponsible behavior such as excessive spending habits, poor work habits, risky and promiscious 'love' affairs. When I was in a depressive state, I would cry all the time, sleep all the time, eat all the time (it give me 'comfort'), not want to leave my house. One minute I would be on a high then the next minute I was soooo low I would contemplate or attempt suicide. In September 2005 I talked to my psychiatrist about it and he agreed since the anti-depressants weren't really working and I continued to have poor sleep, he would try me on Lithium. Eventhough it is a very effective drug for many, it did very little for me. I am now on Trileptal and it seems like things are finally calming down. I still need an occasional sleep aid (low dose Elavil), but feeling/emotions/actions are much controlled.
I urge you to immediately talk to your family doctor or your community mental health agency. Many communities have free 24-hour clinics who will refer you to a psychiatrist/therapist and will 'subsidize' the cost of your treatment and medications. Right now all of my medications and psychiatrist's appointments are covered by my county's community mental health agency.
I really don't think I'd be here today if I hadn't gotten help when I did. I'm not going to say it's an easy road but you'll be the better for it. One thing I did learn is that bipolar disorder is hereditary.
And please... .don't let anyone, spouse or significant other, family member or friend, label you as 'looney', 'crazy', 'psycho'. Bipolar disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and the medications treat that. Being treated for and taking medications for bipolar disorder is no different than seeing a doctor for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure... they are all illnesses and they're all treated with medications.
Well... enough said. If you ever have any questions or want to talk, please feel free to PM me.

[PrairieRose]

Oh, and Lisa, congrats on your weight loss...my sil lost 60 pounds last year and she looks better than I can remember in the 14 years I've known her.

Thank you.

[Hoosier Momma]

Kim thanks for sharing your experience--sounds like you are doing well now, but what a scary road it has been for you!

My dh and I were married when I was diagnosed with depression--he was very supportive. He has a cousin who battled depression for a decade and finally took her own life by a drug overdose in September. I can't think of anyone in my family or dh's for that matter who would think any less of me for it (at least I hope not).

I can't say that I've never thought about suicide, but I've never felt like actually doing it. It would just be too much pain for my dh, our children, and our families to bear, and that is not my intent. I do remember my grandmother being 'difficult' at times in her last years, but she also suffered from Alzheimer's at the end, so it is hard to say what was causing what.

I appreciate all the advice and sharing. It makes me feel like I am not alone, if this is what is truly going on with me.

[Edna_E]

Hereditary? I didn't know that, and appreciate knowing it. I have a niece whose dh is bipolar, and was undiagnosed until nearly 30. They have 4 kids, and it might be useful to know to watch for signs, and hopefully get a quick and early diagnosis instead of going through years of confusion. Best of luck to all of you dealing with this problem. I am lucky to not have this particular one - others, but not this one.