Anyone Bipolar???

iMedix · Nov 26, 2008

Ex-spouse refuses to go back to psychiatrist or take medication for bipolar. The kids are too young to explain why they don't want to go back with other parent after parenting time is over. Does anyone have the same situation? This forum also gives all information about bipolar.

Thank you for sharing information with you.

Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Patients, Bipolar Symptoms, Bipolar Community, Manic-Depressive, Mania, Mood Swings, Mood Stabilizers, Mental Health Evaluations, Episodes

Liddle Noodnik · Nov 26, 2008

ex-spouse refuses to go back to psychiatrist or take medication for bipolar. the kids are too young to explain why they don't want to go back with other parent after parenting time is over. does anyone have the same situation? this forum also gives all information about bipolar.
thank you for sharing information with you.
bipolar disorder, bipolar patients, bipolar symptoms, bipolar community, manic-depressive, mania, mood swings, mood stabilizers, mental health evaluations, episodes

you mean they don't want to leave the bipolar parent? or don't want to leave you?

i had a similar situation for some time and my ex just had to live w/ the fact that when he was bee zarre, he didn't get ds - it was just common sense. i didn't make a huge deal of it.

i also knew there were times when i was not the better parent - and sometimes ds went to be w/ ex. poor kid. he is surprisingly normal

luvbug · Aug 4, 2009

Just wanted to say hi, yes I am still bipolar (lol) - doing fine on meds but not willing to go back to nursing real real soon.
That compulsive thing you mentioned sounds like normal for a nurse and a mom, even without a dx!
Take care :)

How does one get diagnosed with BiPolar? :confused:

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Aug 5, 2009

I have been going to my family MD for about 5 years for "depression" and the like. Usually, when I'm in a manic state, (which I didn't even know I was in for, well, ever) I don't go in to the MD complaining. It was when the depression hit hard I would go in and c/o depression sx's, so naturally I would get tx'd for the depression. Lately, I had been feeling increasingly agitated, (persistently, with inappropriate angry responses to situations that did not warrant the reactions I was having). So I went to the MD and he finally dx'd me bipolar. I had read some on bipolar disorder, and had always thought that mania meant that someone had to be in a state of psychosis, literally bouncing off of the walls, etc. I have since learned that a persistent, angry, always short-tempered, unable to relax EVER feeling that culminates in inappropriate anger responses is a form of mania. When I finally told my MD about that aspect of my life, he dx'd the bipolar. That, along with the fact that every single time I ever take an antidepressant it shoots me to the moon (intense mania, it seems). I honestly thought that it was normal to not be able to sleep at all on antidepressants and that they were supposed to make you feel like you are crawling out of your skin. Who knew? Most of the sites I've visited on the web have a very narrow range of sx's for bipolar, while others are more informative. It helps a lot to know the sx's so you know what to tell your MD. After receiving the appropriate meds, I've been able to relax and not be mad at everything for the first time since I can remember. I've a long road ahead of me, but at least now I know what's wrong. Off to my therapy appt!

Liddle Noodnik · Aug 7, 2009

I have been going to my family MD for about 5 years for "depression" and the like. Usually, when I'm in a manic state, (which I didn't even know I was in for, well, ever) I don't go in to the MD complaining. It was when the depression hit hard I would go in and c/o depression sx's, so naturally I would get tx'd for the depression. Lately, I had been feeling increasingly agitated, (persistently, with inappropriate angry responses to situations that did not warrant the reactions I was having). So I went to the MD and he finally dx'd me bipolar. I had read some on bipolar disorder, and had always thought that mania meant that someone had to be in a state of psychosis, literally bouncing off of the walls, etc. I have since learned that a persistent, angry, always short-tempered, unable to relax EVER feeling that culminates in inappropriate anger responses is a form of mania. When I finally told my MD about that aspect of my life, he dx'd the bipolar. That, along with the fact that every single time I ever take an antidepressant it shoots me to the moon (intense mania, it seems). I honestly thought that it was normal to not be able to sleep at all on antidepressants and that they were supposed to make you feel like you are crawling out of your skin. Who knew? Most of the sites I've visited on the web have a very narrow range of sx's for bipolar, while others are more informative. It helps a lot to know the sx's so you know what to tell your MD. After receiving the appropriate meds, I've been able to relax and not be mad at everything for the first time since I can remember. I've a long road ahead of me, but at least now I know what's wrong. Off to my therapy appt!

What a great post. THANKS. I am hardly on AN anymore and I just happened to come by and see your post.

I describe my hypomania/mania as the "too toos". I am "too" happy, angry, horny (well... I am!) or too sad, too enthused, too excitable, too full of too many ideas, too inspired, too moved, too involved, too alert, I could just go on forever. "Hyperbole" is one word that describes mania - everything is the bEST, the greatEST, the moST, the cutEST, etc...

The other thing, really a tool, is to help describe where my moods are at. Either I am walking on the bottom of the ocean, WAYYYY over my head, drowning, and barely giving a crap! - or I am walking on TOP of the ocean (yes, implications of a bit of a Messiah complex!), and "above it all" in so many ways.

My goal is to stay somewhere in between - my feet able to touch bottom, my neck and head well above water level, I am comfortable, floating, not scared, not EEEEEEEELATED - able to function - but aware that I could drown - or float for that matter - myself out of existence, if I do not keep myself right with God. Yep for me that is the extra added and necessary - to be right with God means to be in balance in all areas (somewhat!)

xo and thanks again, nice to hear from you!

(Luvbug asked): How does one get diagnosed with BiPolar?

Luvbug, the way one USUALLY gets diagnosed is for their life to become so unmanageable they end up losing jobs, relationships, family, money, or even end up hospitalized. I don't know where you are at but you don't need to wait for it to get that bad. Ask around of those you know who see a counselor or psychiatrist, people that you know who have depression/anxiety/and or bipolar, ask where they go for counseling/psychiatrist, and whether they are any good. I think that a great church/pastor/pastoral counseling is essential - but you also need someone objective (that you can trust not to overwhelm you with meds!) who can prescribe and assess! I no longer need meds - but I am no fool - I know that I could shoot up a post office and not be aware how sick I am when I do it! So I still see my good shrink and counselor, one of them each month (alternate). Just for GP's (General Principles). Learning to live according to Biblical principles has been my mainstay and my "cure". But I am not stupid.

Also you might want to go to some DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) meetings in your area (call your local crisis hotline # for info on meeting times) to hear what folks have to say. They provide excellent education and support for the person w/ the illness as well as family/friends of the person w/ illness.

You probably pretty much know inside whether there is a problem. EVERYbody has "bipolar" to some degree, not as a diagnosis but as a life characteristic. It's how far you swing from one extreme to the other (depression, to mania) that lends one the diagnosis of bipolar.

I definitely recommend you check it out if you are wondering.

Main treatment to me is AT LEAST 6 hrs of sleep a night! and if I don't get 6 hrs 3 nights in a row, I take some benadryl to hit myself over the head!! I also think it is extremely important you work with someone who truly knows you and can give you good feedback - a great friend, a good counselor or pastor, SOMEone who will DARE to tell you - honey, you need to CHILL! and then can give you evidence of why they are saying that!!! Honestly is so important in this - honesty w/ yourself and honesty from those who love you!

Liddle Noodnik · Aug 24, 2009

Phlox did you delete your post?

re your ? that people are not responding re the Texas organization you mentioned, this is a national and worldwide site and very few of all THOSE members admit to or share about being bipolar - so I imagine you are the only TX'er on this thread.

Just a thought.

xo

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Aug 29, 2009

I describe my hypomania/mania as the "too toos". I am "too" happy, angry, horny (well... I am!) or too sad, too enthused, too excitable, too full of too many ideas, too inspired, too moved, too involved, too alert, I could just go on forever. "Hyperbole" is one word that describes mania - everything is the bEST, the greatEST, the moST, the cutEST, etc...

Oh how I do agree! It's all or none, never "in between". (Whatever that is). I've been up up UP lately, so haven't spent too much time in one spot. Too busy trying to remodel the entire house all at once...:) Never fear, I have a med review in 4 days so I'll just ride the tide until then. Maybe I should lay off of the caffeine? :selfbonk:

Liddle Noodnik · Aug 30, 2009

Oh how I do agree! It's all or none, never "in between". (Whatever that is). I've been up up UP lately, so haven't spent too much time in one spot. Too busy trying to remodel the entire house all at once...:) Never fear, I have a med review in 4 days so I'll just ride the tide until then. Maybe I should lay off of the caffeine? :selfbonk:

I'd lay off the caffeine, sure! lol... and when it's me revving up, I find some way to get at least 8 hrs sleep! I take benadryl for that. Once you start revving up it is hard to get back down, or even WANT to - so I make myself get that sleep! I wouldn't wait for an appt, if you can't get it under control - you don't want to fly off the handle (maybe literally).

Just my humble opinion, I don't know exactly how revved up you are - but I'd use caution! And if you have prns for sleep or mania I'd use them!

Liddle Noodnik · Jan 4, 2010

Well as some of you might have figured I am back on bipolar meds. It has been a year and a half and last summer I was hypomanic and barely made it through. I had to use a LOT of behavioral and non-medication techniques to stay grounded. It was pretty stressful and tiring. You KNOW that hypomania is not always unpleasant, so it was very tough. I have friends who tell me NOW that they were concerned at the time, sigh. I had asked them to tell me AT the time - but maybe they tried.

Anyway this fall I have been super depressed, yes it seems situational too but the bottom line is the anxiety and depression are such that I haven't been able to work since December 9. Pardon me God but DAMN I had hoped I would not be in this position. Part of me feels I have failed spiritually. Anyway - I am back on meds and will be doing a partial hospital program. I am not as bad off as I was, I was having a lot of suicidal thoughts a couple months ago but so dang stubborn... and did not share that.

So now that I am better but NOT functional I did decide to go back on meds. I don't know how far down I will go or actually am, I decided to get back on social security, take care of my neck after I get the insurance started again (was supposed to see a chiropractor for neck pain since last summer, the MRI was negative...), and then figure out where I am at vocationally. I know I can do SOMEthing once I get better, but I have to quit reaching so far ahead of what my "system" can take, stress wise. Nursing ALWAYS kills me. I would like to re-train to be able to do MDS's, get away from the clinical aspect, maybe I could do that. Hard to get a job in that w/o experience unfortunately. Sigh...

I wish I was able to just "jump back on" but I know I need to take this step by step and not jump in over my head AGAIN... I need a Mommy...

Hope all are fine...

xo

blueheaven · Jan 4, 2010

I was diagnosed with major depression back in the mid 80's. Spent 3 lovely weeks in a psych hospital that I worked per diem at for said depression. Stayed on prozac for a long time and tapered off. Took me quite a while but then I started down the slippery slope again. This time I did something about it before it got really bad.

Anyway, after moving here from another state, I found a PD here who diagnosed me with Bipolar type 2, ADD, depression. It really rang a bell for me. I knew that all my symptoms didn't fit into the depression catagory. Grouchy, irritable, perfectionistic, paranoid YUK! A real not fun person to be around at times. I didn't realize that the days where I felt great, happy and could take on the world was hypomania (BTW I loved those days) Never became full blown mania. I tend toward the depressive end of the scale but I am thankful that I'm on an even keel right now with meds and support.

Liddle Noodnik · Jan 4, 2010

I was diagnosed with major depression back in the mid 80's. Spent 3 lovely weeks in a psych hospital that I worked per diem at for said depression. Stayed on prozac for a long time and tapered off. Took me quite a while but then I started down the slippery slope again. This time I did something about it before it got really bad.
Anyway, after moving here from another state, I found a PD here who diagnosed me with Bipolar type 2, ADD, depression. It really rang a bell for me. I knew that all my symptoms didn't fit into the depression catagory. Grouchy, irritable, perfectionistic, paranoid YUK! A real not fun person to be around at times. I didn't realize that the days where I felt great, happy and could take on the world was hypomania (BTW I loved those days) Never became full blown mania. I tend toward the depressive end of the scale but I am thankful that I'm on an even keel right now with meds and support.

Thank you. It's nice to talk to somebody who gets it. REALLY. I haven't really talked to anyone who gets it for a long time because I was quote "ok"... lol ... so thanks...

stevieg · Jan 11, 2010

hi from England!

I am a student nurse with 18 months to go. I have been reading this thread with great enthusiasm and feel it is very supportive. Firstly I think well done to everyone who have took hold of this condition and used it as a positive to help others. I am 34 yr old male and I have always known i am different to the others since my early teens but could never put my finger on it. I have suffered with hypomanic episodes followed by depressive episodes, i can be at the top of my game but then feel a complete loser. I have had many careers but never exceeded above entry level despite achieving high status popularity and recognition when the goiing got tough I moverd into another career therefore never reaching my full potential but didnt know why i did this. eventually i found i was good as a support worker for people with mental problems and now am training to be a mental health nurse. over time I have wondered if i suffer from a condition and have questioned personality disorder, ADHD major depression ( but where do the highs come in?) and felt i cant be bi polar as no psychotic or delusional symptoms present . also my episodes arent severe enough to be hospitalised. Id go the drs and he would say depression and hand out prozac like shutting a baby up. In the end its only through my studies i came across the term CYCLOTHYMIA which hit the nail on the head. my dr seemed puzzled with this term but agreed and now i will see a psychiatrist for CBT. because Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar it means people dont tend to become to ill yet still has big impacts on their life. It is worrying that if i wasnt studying this fied id never be diagnosed and concerns me how many others out there have this condition and suffer in silence accepting it is just who they are.

I am now releived to find an answer and get treatment but now faced with uncertainty about my appropriateness to practice. I know i am a fantastic nurse but will others see that. when the goings good with me its untouchable but when the going gets tough....well u know the rest!!

regards from tamworth , England.