May 31, 2011
I know when ever I experience a manic episode, I feel on top of the world.. but there’s this small part of me that knows that it isn’t real. I was diagnosed in the last 6 months with bipolar, but even before that, I knew I wasn’t genuinely happy. Can everyone tell they aren’t really happy during these episodes, and that it will all come crashing down? It’s like I know everything will be miserable again, I just really don’t care. In contrast, when I really am happy, I’m scared. I have this hesitation, like I’m afraid to embrace it. I used to love life, I’m a very passionate person (this seems to be common with bipolars, from what I’ve seen), I love animals, my husband, bright colors… but it’s so hard to love all of these things when I’m so terrified that everything will just come to a screeching [...]
May 30, 2011
I have a very nice neighbor who has bipolar disorder. What can I do to help without hurting her feelings? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Whether we want to admit it, or not, everyone needs a support system; ESPECIALLY people with Bipolar. It can come from a variety of places: therapist, relative, friend, neighbor, blogs…. (I could keep rambling, but I think you get the picture.) but the key ingredient is positive support. That is one of the most important things anybody can provide for someone with bipolar, regardless of their relationship. Because support comes on many different levels and can be provided in so many different ways, there is no form of support that too small. As a neighbor, there are ways you can be supportive, even if you don’t have a really close relationship. Since your neighbor felt comfortable enough to confide in you that they are Bipolar, you can always offer [...]
May 29, 2011
(I am not an attorney so my explanation is just a summary of what the law says and my example is purely for demonstrative purposes. If you think that your rights have been violated, you should contact an attorney in your state) Well, for those that don’t know what The Baker Act is, it is also known as the Florida Mental Health Act. It provides for voluntary and involuntary mental health emergency services, and temporary detention for mental health evaluation and treatment when necessary. It also makes sure that people with a mental illness are treated in a humane way and are provided treatment. In addition, the Act encourages consent, regulates the quality of treatment, gives the right to a representative, ensures confidentiality, and assigns liability for violation of those rights among other things. Now, what exactly does this lingo mean? Let’s start with a little bit of history first. [...]
May 27, 2011
Hi! I’m doing a presentation for a college class on Bi-Polar Disorder. I’m trying to think of some sort of simulation or activity or game to let people know more about what Bi-Polar is like or to incorporate some sort of audience involvement into my presentation. Please help with suggestions! How can I raise awareness about Bi-Polar Being bipolar can be somewhat hard to simulate if you do not have it because of the unpredictability and the varying extremes in moods. The highs and lows can get quite high and quite low within a matter of days or hours even. The one thing that stands out most in my mind though that could be a great demonstrative example of being bipolar, is a roller coaster. With a roller coaster, there are many different parts and speeds to it. You gradually inch up, you speed down, possibly do a few loops [...]
May 24, 2011
My fiancee and i believe she is bipolar from her symptoms and from what we have read.How do i get her help without causing a trigger?I myself have been treated for psychosis and depression.How do i cope with being in this relationship?I am very much in love with her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It really is hard when someone you love is experiencing something such as a mental illness. When things are going on internally, as you already know from your own struggles, it can be hard for someone outside of your own self to figure out what to do or how to help. The first step would be to get your fiancee help from a trained professional. It seems you want to and are willing to do that, but are unsure of how she might respond, which is completely understandable. There can be many responses in a situation like this and a lot depends on how your fiancee [...]
May 23, 2011
How do I help someone i’m in love with deal with her bipolar ….I have ocd & ptsd so we clashed and now we live apart till she gets past her depression. she said she just needs time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Helping those you love deal with depression is much easier said than done. It’s not as though you can just make them laugh and everything will be okay. Depression is deeply rooted. Something that needs to be treated. You can’t quite expect a sinus infection to just disappear on it’s own now can you? No. It will only get worse. Same with depression. The proper medications need to be administered and therapy given to work through the all the negative feelings. Well those are all things only a doctor can do … so where does that leave you? Perhaps she is resistant to seeing her doctor and may need that extra [...]
May 22, 2011
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May 21, 2011
Being a writer on this site is one of the most FANTASTICAL things I do these days. (Yes, fantastical is a word according to Dane Cook) It has become one of the biggest parts of my life. It not only gives me a chance to help others through the same struggles and questions I had during the roller coaster of my life, but it has also provided me a sense of therapy by being able to revisit various points in my life (the good and bad) and continue to learn and grow from them. Writing for Ask A Bipolar has been a huge part of my own therapy. Well, what happens when I don’t have the answer? I know I answer questions about bipolar and being bipolar all the time and give a lot of advice to others, but clearly, I don’t have all the answers. So, today, I am asking you all [...]
I discovered my illness since abt 4 years and i swinged between mania and depression and of course i tried to commit suicide more than one time , i took medications and i am felt better , but i stopped med since abt 7 months but i stayed normal and didn’t feel any difference… but since abt 2 weeks i started feeling a little bit of mania symptoms , but not in a way that it came before , so i would like to know what to do cause i hate medication and i don’t want to use it again , so whats u opinion and thx in forward . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Having Bipolar Disorder is difficult let alone the treatment that causes side effects and things unpleasant in just having the disorder. However, let me preface this and say that you always need to discuss medication discontinuation first with your [...]
May 19, 2011
My Wife and I have been discussing things to help people that are suicidal and both are of the opinion that things like fridge magnets with a crisis number on them are not very effective. What are your opinions of them? Are they helpful? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To put it simply-yes, I think fridge magnets with crisis number can be helpful… I personally have two magnets with crisis numbers on them hanging on my fridge… They help me when I’m freaking out or when I’m suicidal… I’ll admit, not all the time, but certainly enough to make them worthwhile!!! When I start freaking out, I tend to pace around the apartment… When I do, I sometimes see those magnets and think “Ok, there is someone out there I can talk to… All I have to do is dial my phone, and they will answer…” Of course, calling them isn’t always easy, nor [...]
May 18, 2011
What would you recommend for a person who thinks they are bipolar but can’t get her doctor to diagnose her, thus preventing her from getting medication. We’re talking seriously severe issues. My friend is ready to take steps to try to help herself (because for years she denied any problems). Suggestions? Are there specific doctors that focus on this? Is there a reason a doctor might not want to deal with it, as in the case with her current one? Help!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I think it is fantastic that your friend is ready to take the step to find help. Many people never make that decision and I think its also commendable that you are helping her with this. Its a very emotional thing to be taking on, so as much support as your friend can get,the better. First, what type of doctor is she currently seeing for this issue? If [...]
May 16, 2011
Hello, I have a complicated question. I have Bipolar 2 and Major Depression. I have been with my boyfriend for over two years now. He is a wonderful person, but he doesn’t understand my disorder and makes no attempt to try because he says that he “doesn’t think it will do anything.” We are long distance- I am away at college and he lives in a small town two hours away where I was born and raised. I am very irritable and tend to argue with him a lot and blow things out of proportion. He is very patient with me, but sometimes after a really bad argument, he will want to take a “break.” He says he is too stressed out and that he doesn’t want to be with me “right now.” Then after about two-three weeks he comes back to me and we are fine for about three-four [...]
May 15, 2011
When you are bipolar, there is, without a doubt, the inevitable … YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH! (Numerous times in fact.) You know it, I know it, and those who love us and are close to us know it. (No matter how in denial we may all be, it’s going to happen!) SO WHY are we so hard on ourselves when it does happen? If we know it’s inevitable, why do we feel so bad that we are unable to stop it? It’s not like we summoned the crash. It’s not like we were happily awaiting it’s return. And its definitely NOT like we wanted it to happen! We are going along with out day, all stable and pretty and not too high, not too low. Life is falling into place, the heavens are smiling upon us. We’ve FINALLY figured out how to coexist with our illness without letting it [...]
May 14, 2011
I’ve been training for the last 4 weeks (or 12 years, depends on what you’re counting as training.) for this morning. I’ve practiced and practiced. Spent numerous days pushing myself further than I ever thought I’d go. This morning I ran my first 5K! (in under 32 minutes! I rock) So, I trained, I ran, I conquered … so what’s the point right? 85% of the time while I was training, and I’m saying WHILE I was running, I was thinking about ways to back out. Last night, thinking of excuses not to go. THIS MORNING, looking at the rain, had to talk myself OUT of backing out! Why? Do you ever find yourself having to constantly self motivate for things you already WANT to do? Is is agoraphobia? Is it laziness? Is it fear of the unexpected? Well I’m glad I did it! I hope I can talk myself [...]
May 13, 2011
The medicines available for bipolar disorder can be amazing, but they don’t work for everybody. The most well-known one, Lithium, is basically a “you tolerate it well or you don’t tolerate it at all” type of deal. Some can work great for one person, but cause the worst side effects in another. Personally, I can’t get anywhere near Depakote — it made me so ridiculously sick for a week and none of the doctors during my many hospital trips could figure out the reason. It was only by playing with the timing of my meds and realizing the Depakote was out of my system, that we realized it was either a drug interaction or I just have a bad reaction to it. I’m not willing to find out what the answer is. There are other options out there. But what if you can’t tolerate any of the drugs? Or you [...]
May 12, 2011
I was diagnosed with bipolar some 20 yrs ago. 8 yrs ago, thoroughly disillusioned with mental health services and severely depressed at how numb life felt on medication I took control of my recovery and quit the meds, gradually. At the same time I started meditating, tai chi and just generally treating my bipolar from a holistic perspective. It was a bumpy ride but I had certain successes, I remained well, out of hospital and was able to truly tackle the emotional turmoil underneath my depression. In 2009 I had a baby, and then a postpartum relatively mild episode immediately following the birth. I had had cause to think seriously about becoming a parent and during my pregnancy took steps to reconnect to mental health services and made a commitment to going back to medication as soon as it was possible to do so after the birth. I knew I [...]
May 11, 2011
How did you realize that you had bipolar disease and how can someone realize it or test for it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I was in the middle of a mixed episode. I was all over the map with my feelings and actions, so I didn’t really have a clue what was going on with me. I knew I had anxiety and depression, but nothing past that. I didn’t really know what bipolar was, truthfully… I wasn’t even remotely in touch with myself to know what I felt about things. I was constantly fighting my own emotions and gut instincts. It became so severe that I went to the hospital willingly — I knew I needed help. But before that, bipolar was mentioned in reference to me. My mom told one of her friends, a nurse, about a weird episode I’d had at work. The only thing [...]
May 10, 2011
I don’t want my boyfriend to leave me, but he gets tired of my negativity. How do I help him understand my depression? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a question that can be answered many different ways. I will do my best to answer the question that is helpful to you and others reading this article. Before you consider discussing your depression with your boyfriend, I would suggest doing some research on depression first such as getting facts, statistics, and looking at other information on telling your loved ones about your illness. I would suggest the next few websites to help you out. They are www.NAMI.com, http://depression.about.com/, http://concernedcounseling.com/communities/Depression/related/self_help.asp and http://www.webmd.com/depression/. One thing I have learned is education is power when it comes to managing your illness and helping others to understand it. It might take a little work and you may feel a little uneasy at first talking about the disorder itself. [...]
May 8, 2011
Sometimes, I feel it is. The ups and downs and ins and outs of everything. I know it’s not just me — even so-called “healthy” people deal with it … as soon as things start to look up, their car breaks down or they get sick and have to miss work or the furnace is done for — or or or… It’s just how life is. But recently, I’ve discovered my life reallytrulyhonestly hasn’t changed much in the past decade. I’m the same, little, frightened girl who can see the life around me but can’t reach out and touch it — for whatever reason. Sometimes I’m too tired, sometimes I’m detached/dissociated, sometimes I’m too sad (OK, a lot of times I’m too sad, and on and on. It’s odd realizing this, though, because not too long ago, I was pretty darn proud of myself for how much I’ve grown and [...]
May 7, 2011
I grow old tomorrow. 30 That’s a big number. And my daughter just turned 10. I’m 3x that. (Look, I can do math) Needless to say, amongst everything else going on in my life, this getting old thing has really triggered some massive ups and downs for me. Or if we are being more specific, EVERY birthday seems to trigger something in me. High expectations I think. I mean, I know aging is difficult for everyone, but my question is, do you think it’s worse for us with bipolar? If so, since we do our best to avoid triggers, does anyone know how I can stop aging? (wishful thinking….) Do you have a question that needs answering? Click here to submit… Tweet41b9cd96647e4147b419bc4e4c1a6339Link to this post!
May 6, 2011
To begin, let me share that once I had a doctor–MD–tell me that the only thing consistent about me was my inconsistency. Boy, that made me feel really good, but his words rang true. I have worked hard at many things–job, playing in a band, writing, etc.–pouring my heart, soul, energy, and money into them, to just suddenly find something wrong or get tired and up and quit them–leaving really good jobs, quiting bands and selling or destroying music equip., deleting or destroying my writing, as though something in me is on a one way course to self destruction. Now, finally, it is my marriage as well, and that beyond repair. Point is, I see that you are a writer, and so you have found a way to not destroy the things you create, even when you are down. How do you do this, because when I am down I [...]
May 5, 2011
I find that no matter what our problem is that no matter how many times I try to explain my feelings of being isolated, not heard, and invisible, my husband continues his distant behavior. Is it possible that this is a symptom of bipolar disorder? He is on meds and supposedly stablized but continues going to work at 11 PM every night and not coming home. He is also having a severe bout of cluster headaches and I am concerned that is a part of it. Thanks for any help. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am so sorry you are having to deal with this situation. It certainly sounds like a touchy one and I hope I can bring some light to the situation. Relationships that have a person with Bipolar Disorder are almost never easy. There’s a lot of work that has to be done to maintain the relationship. I am not [...]
I recently got diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. I have been on anti-depressants for over a year. a month and a half ago i upped my meds of 10mg of celexa to 50mg because i was not feeling better. 10mg is not a lot so it made sense for me to up them. I have been feeling better but I always get up in the morning very depressed and anxious. I feel better later on in the day and in the evening feel almost normal. One of the reasons my pysch thinks i have bipolar II is because my moods are still not stable and my morning depression seems to indicate this. He recommended taking 3000mg of omega 3 and if in a month I am still waking up depressed he will switch me to seroquil. Is morning depression and anxiety, improving later on in the day something you experience [...]
HI! I WAS WONDERING IF BIPOLAR WAS A DOMINANT OR A RECESSIVE GENE? THANK YOU ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This was possibly the most difficult question I have ever answered. Keep in mind that I am not a medical professional in any way. While many people in my family are doctors, I am not. I could go into a lot of medical jargon and spit out more of the same thing the web offers but I don’t believe that would do any good. Instead I will simply offer the best answer to this question I could find in a language we can all understand. This question is actually one that many scientists and medical professionals are currently unable to answer but they continue to search. While it is quite clear that there is a genetic relation to the bipolar illness it is unclear what genetic factors are responsible. For example: A few of [...]
How does a mixed mood feel? Would that be like Anger + Suicidal Thoughts? I have been there before, but im just not sure what ‘mixed’ means. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A mixed state is one where you exemplify qualities of both manic and depressive states at the same time. There are two types of mixed states, dysphoric mania and agitated depression. When you have dysphoric mania it means that you are having more manic symptoms than depressive. When you’re in the midst of agitated depression you exhibit more symptoms of depression than mania. In both instances you are a mix of what it means to be manic or depressive. These mixed states tend to last at least a week but not usually as long as a purely manic or depressive state. Mixed states could be the most dangerous to those suffering with the bipolar illness. During this time one often has depressive thoughts [...]
I have an intense hypersensitivity to sound that impairs my daily functions and relationships. I’ve read blogs about others with bipolar disorder that have a hypersensitivity problem, but I haven’t found a solution or medicine. I currently take Seroquel and Wellbutrin, but the sounds just wont go away! Do you have any ideas for solutions? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I can completely relate to this annoying symptom of hypersensitivity to noises. I am not sure why it happens to some of us, but it does. I can give you some ideas on how I have dealt with this situation. My psychiatrist tells me it happens in some patients but there’s no medication or cure for the problem. She told me to search out solutions and I have done that. My therapist helped me some, too. When this started happening to me I was having other psychosis problems as well. As the psychosis waned [...]
Did you know you had bipolar before you had a child? Were your doctors able to tell you the likelihood of passing this disease to your child? I ask because my wife and I are considering children, and I am terrified of passing on this disease myself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In my personal situation the answer to this question would be yes, I knew I had Bipolar Disorder before I had children. And I am not sad that I knew before hand. Let me explain our circumstances and maybe this will help you. Before we had children we carefully thought out the process of having children because of my illness. We knew that it may come with some “prices” but we were as prepared as we could be at the time. We also discussed with my psychiatrist which would be the best way medication-wise for me to maintain my mood while pregnant. [...]
May 4, 2011
I am in a serious relationship with a bipolar girl. She’s the one. Shes had attacks before, Ive been through 4. Each time I maintained communication as best I could and supported her. Shes having what seems to be an episode now. This time as before she says shes want to be single for the rest of her life. She’s under stress. So she’s pushed me away. However, this time she’s cut every line of communication except for the most tenuous line. There have not been any major changes in our relationship. She just said she wanted to be single out of the blue. Whats the right thing to do? Does she really not want to be with me? Is this an episode talking? What are the coping strategies? How do I get her to open back up? How do I walk the line between giving her space and giving [...]
May 3, 2011
How can teachers be most supportive of students that are bi-polar? What might you suggest about homework that isn’t completed when the child is going through a depressed state? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have been lucky enough, and blessed, to have the teachers for PDog that I do. I’ve had to fight quite hard to get the accommodations that he has, but the fight was worth it, even they can’t deny it. The thing about teaching a bipolar child is, you need to be patient and understanding. You need to be quick on your feet and ready for any situation. And you need to have thick skin. Situations you may/probably will encounter teaching a bipolar child … Short attention spans – Most children with bipolar (from my experiences at least) also have ADHD, and bipolar can actually act in similar ways as ADHD, especially when a child is manic. When they are [...]
May 2, 2011
Is it better for your coworkers to think you are depressed or just stupid? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When I first read this question, I thought it was going to be a piece of cake to answer, but when I sat down to write, I really had to think a long time. I don’t think coworkers necessarily need to think you are either depressed or stupid, especially that you are stupid. But if that is the case, then that brings up the question “Well then how do I explain my behavior?” So, I thought about it for awhile longer, and the whole time, I kept imagining my own workplace (an office setting) and what I have done with respect to my own behaviors in my own office. The answer to that was just a plain and simple, “Nothing,” so I figured there had to be more to this issue. I began to think about [...]
How are you celebrating Mental Health Month? Here are a couple links for some ideas http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/ Psych Central http://blogs.psychcentral.com/celebrity/2011/05/mental-health-month-3-ways-to-advocate-for-mental-health/ Do you have a question that needs answering? Click here to submit… Tweet7f1db0f46dd818f1793d56f86e4dfc4cLink to this post!
You speak in your short bio about your husband being very supportive. What exactly does he do to be supportive and how does that affect you in the moment? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I believe that my spouse has always been supportive yet it took many years to teach him how to show this. We’ve been married for nearly four years now and together for almost ten. I cannot imagine life without him but it took a long time for him to come to an understanding about how to show that’s he’s supportive of me and understanding of my illness. I was just diagnosed last Spring. For years my husband has shown his love towards others by playfully poking fun at them in various ways. This has always been a dynamic of our relationship and although it sometimes hurt me, he didn’t quite get it or comprehend in any sense why it would [...]
