How to deal with Bi-polar Disease?

Question

I recently found out I suffer from Bi-polar II-To suffer is a understatment-Dr's are experimenting on drugs-Problem is I worry about my job, as my 13weeks STD is up, and now I'll only get 60% of my salary-With 3 small children and a wife who doesnt work, this is not enough, which makes my condition even worse, as I worry about finances-Any words of wisdom, or ideas-I'm frantic and panicy

Answer 1

I feel your pain. My fiance is the same ways, and sometimes I really worry about him.

There isn't a magic pill to make this all go away. You will have your good days, and you will have your bad days. Good days, you can't stop smiling and laughing. Bad days? You may as well be a subject in a bad country song.

If you hate your job, it only makes everything worse.

******TRY NOT TO PANIC!******* You're going to make it worse. You need to sit down, take a breath, ***talk to your wife*** or someone, anyone. Everything will be okay. The bills may get behind. Fine. Call the utilities, etc and tell them that you have a medical situation that is preventing you from working. Take a breath! It's gonna be okay.

By the way, Welbutrin SL has worked very well for my fiance. Prozac is NOT the way to go. It will make you feel loopy and insane, at least that's what he says. Welbutrin will make you feel normal, or so he says. I do notice a difference when he is on the Welbutrin.

If you need someone to talk to, send me an email. I'll get my fiance on here and he can give you some more advice or at least an ear to bend.

I hope that everything goes well. Take care and remember: Everything is going to be okay. Maybe not right now ... but it will.

Answer 2

First of all, I think a deep breath is a good idea... There are medicines for bi-polar disease but who's to guarantee? There are also support groups and what not. And I would say it's a good idea for your wife to get a job....if she can't get a job like office or something, then maybe she could hold a small babysitting thing...since you already have children, maybe she could watch 2 or 3 more a week and make some extra money....there's nothing wrong with doing that.

Answer 3

Find a good psychiatrist if you don't already have one. Some family doctors are good at medications but a psychiatrist, especially one that has a lot of experience with bipolar disorder, is much better. Sometimes it takes a long time to get your medication regulated. Please be patient. Just because someone tells you that a particular medication works for them doesn't mean it will work for you. Everybody has a different brain chemistry. Everytime you try a new drug it can take 3-4 weeks (or more) before you find out if it may be effective. Also, different drug combinations may work together while one medication may not work nearly as well by itself. I also go to a psychologist who has helped me accept and find ways of dealing with this condition. Yes, it is awful when you can't work and you are right that the worry makes you feel even worse (which is sometimes hard to believe that you can actually feel worse). If you can work part-time it may help your finances but many times you can't because you feel too horrible. Sometimes you can't work because you can't collect disability if you work at all. Social Security Disability doesn't kick in until after 6 months and then you don't have Medicare for two years. Yes, things are grim BUT there is hope.
Read, read, read to ask better questions of your doctor and to be better informed about your illness which does help.
Try to go to support groups. They are available for both you and your family. Look up NAMI on a web search and look for groups in your area. You are not alone!
Another great source of information is the DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance). Their website has a lot of information along with a talk to the doctor section that is helpful. WebMD and the MedScape Psychiatry home page has information that may be of help to you also.
Most people can work (almost everyone). Take care of yourself and you and your family will get through this.
Can your wife work evenings when your children are asleep? If so, you can be the responsible adult at home at night but not usually have to do anything. Do you have family to help? You might be able to help with your children some during the day and have your family as back-up for the times when you can't help with them. Right now you need extra income for a while which is the hard part. You will be dealing with this for a lifetime but once your medication is regulated and you recognize warning signs, a call to your doctor and a tweak to your medication will set you right in short order.
My experience has taught me that not to listen to amateurs and only trust those who are really qualified. Well meaning but ignorant people will hurt your feelings. Don't take comments too personally, just try to educate your family and friends. Good luck and remember, you don't have to go through this alone!

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder is also called manic depressive disorder. Taking simple medication prescribed by your doctor can help you control the mood swings from manic (overly high mood) to depressive (hitting rock bottom mood).

A person with bipolar disorder has a chemical imbalance in the brain. It can cause them to feel very "high".....often as if on drugs. Do things out of the ordinary, their mind races, their actions race. They cannot sit still, have to be constantly doing things.

In a depressed state, they are really depressed beyond what a normal mind is. They are unable to handle the little stressors of everyday life. A lot won't take their medications for fear of having to feel the normal things. They like the highs and fear normal lows.

Take your medication. I see no reason to be off from work. Many people with the disease take their medications and work and live a normal life.

You dont like facing the normal worries of finance, job responsibility, ect. We all face these daily and handle them. You must take control, take the medication, and keep yourself healthy for your childrens sake.

Bipolarism is by far the least of the mental illnesses that you could have. It is easily controlled by medication. Just making up your mind to take it and accept the normal anxieties we all face in normal days is your biggest concern!

Answer 5

I was diagnosed in 2003 with bipolar. I took meds for about 6 months. Then I quit. In Feb. of this year I wound up in the Psych ward. Stay on those meds. I know it's hard. We dont make much money at all. We have lost cars. I am about to lose my home. We just got out of bankruptcy. I know it sucks. I just stay on my meds and try to stay positive. I take 300 mg. of Lithium and 100 mg of Zoloft. Hope this helps! Just stay positive, and focus on your kids and wife!

Answer 6

Well I think with medication, alot of people with this disease are able to function normally and keep a job as well.

Answer 7

have you talked all of this over with your doc??? You should be able to get disability, so you also need to talk to social services and see what kind of help they can provide, such as food stamps and medical for you and your family, things of that nature.

Answer 8

Go to your local doctor and get some drugs. antidepressents maybe but not sure go see a doctor on your consition.

Answer 9

Pray out loud in Jesus' name.

Answer 10

Buy these two books.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570623449/104-7785975-9047143?v=glance&n=283155

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577311523/104-7785975-9047143?v=glance&n=283155