A question for someone who is bipolar or close to someone who is bipolar....?

Question

My grandmother is bipolar. She quit taking her meds 2 years ago, but seemed mostly ok until January when my grandfather died. After his death, she completely freaked out and went manic, spent $50K on junk, and had visions. We got her to take her medicine again, but as soon as she felt better she quit taking it. Now she is acting nuts again, but instead of being happy and manic, she is extremely anxious. She worries about completely irrational things, she says she doesn't have any money (she has a ton of money in the bank) and can't afford groceries, she thinks people are planning to rob her or attack her, etc....We got her to go to her psychiatrist, and he prescribed Zyprexa, Zanax (sp?), and Depakote, but they don't seem to be working. She has been taking these medicines for a month now, and she hasn't had any improvement. She absolutely refuseds therapy and hospital care. What are your experiences with bipolar disorder, and what can I do for my grandmother?

Answer 1

I am also bipolar, and very knowledgeable about the illness.. The doctor always knows best but has no real chance of being in a position to help if he has to make guesses at her condition.
I am thinking that perhaps her bipolar disorder may have morphed into a more serious combination of many different afflictions as a result of her age and the traumatic loss of her life partner..
Find a way to speak with her doctor or psychiatrist and explain the finer details of her actions.. she may not be honest with him because of the paranoia of how he might try to help.. might be schizophrenia, dementia, post traumatic stress disorder.. or even being bipolar with new tendencies (it gets much worse over time, especially when treatment is abandoned and she stops the meds)
look into these possibilities. Doctors know best, always.. but they need your help to be effective, especially in your grandmothers case.. when she isn't being very cooperative and taking a much more proactive approach towards her own wellbeing. She needs her medicine.. and she needs your help to get this under control. It seems that she is in a bad spot with being so mixed up in all of the emotions of what is happening all around her. Powerlessness is a horrible thing.. it seems she desperatly needs a helping hand.
Educate yourself to whatever the possibilities for her behavior might be in a clinical sense so you can be helpful to the doctors.
Do your part to get her the help she needs. Good Luck .. :)

Answer 2

I totally feel your pain!! my ex-best friend of five years is, I believe, bipolar because everything was fine, then just one day snapped and won't talk to me anymore. Whenever I try to ask her why she won't talk to me, she'll start yelling and say I've "done enough to her" although I have absolutely no idea what she is talking about and won't ever explain what I apparently did.. she refused medication. Plus, my ex-boyfriend (we went out for a year) was bipolar and pretty manipulative. But.. enough of my life story for today.
Perhaps you should call her psychiatrist and tell him all this, so her medication can be adjusted accordingly. Maybe after her medication is adjusted, she will realize she needs a therapist. Sorry I don't have any good advice; unfortunately all my experiences with people who are bipolar have not been good. Try and spend time with her and understand that she's going through a difficult time right now. Good luck

Answer 3

Seems she needs around-the-clock care. Poor little lady~
When family members see that the situation is serious for those who suffer from bipolar, medical attention is crucial.
When a biochemical imbalance is involved, medication is usually prescribed. In other cases, a program of appropriate counseling might be recommended to help the sufferer learn how to cope with his or her condition. At times, both approaches combined have produced beneficial results. The important thing is to reach out and get help...
Many feel ashamed ...
The only 'shame' is having a problem and not seeking the help that you so desperately need.”
A kindly nurse/friend can make a difference. Give the meds a little more time to begin working and give her lots of love & affection.

Answer 4

Until she's a danger to herself or others you can't force her to get treatment. It doesn't sound like she's been taking those meds, as you said she's refused before. She probably is trying to placate you by telling you she's taking them.

This is more then the mood swings I'm used to dealing with. She sounds psychotic. Your family could get some control over things by having her declared incompetent- since she does have money it may be advantageous.

Does she live alone? I'm looking for work if you want to hire a companion to keep an eye on her. I'm bipolar myself but not that severe by any means, former mental health professional. I've done that kind of work before.

I can't give my contact info. But, seriously you may want to consider something like that... if she's willing to work with someone.

Answer 5

IF SHE IS REALLY OLD, DIAGNOSED AS A LITTLE UNSTABLE AND CAN'T TAKE CARE OF HERSELF THEN..........

SEEK AN ATTORNEY AND GET A DOCTOR
TO STATE THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND
HAVE IT NOTARIZED. GET A RESPONSIBLE
ADULT (WHO WON'T STEAL) AND GIVE
HIM/HER THE MEDICAL AND FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY! HAVE THAT PERSON TAKE CARE OF YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S NEEDS AND WITHDRAW
SOME CASH AND GIVE HER AN ALLOWANCE OR BUY HER GIFTS ONCE IN A WHILE. SHE WILL BE WELL TAKEN CARE OF WITH HER OWN MONEY AND SHE'LL THINK YOU HAVE A TREE THAT GROWS
MONEY. SHE SURE WILL BE HAPPIER!

GET A SECOND MEDICAL OPINION AND TRY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS.
A LOT OF LOVE AND EMPATHY WILL DO
WONDERS AND THERE MAY BE DRUG
INTERACTIONS, CAUSING HER PROBLEMS.

Answer 6

I would talk to her psychiatrist and explain what is going on. You can't force her to do what she doesn't want to do, but maybe the doc will have some ideas. Maybe as simple as medication adjustment. Good luck.

Answer 7

I really understand the situation, & your grandmother. I have simular probs. I don't take anything for it. God & my husband are my only help. It's hard! I will be praying!