what happens if bipolar 2 person discontinue medication?

Question

what will happen to a bipolar 2 patient , if he doesnt take medication for a long time???

Answer 1

A person with a diagnosis of Bipolar II who discontinues their meds could lapse into manic or depressive states. They can cause some very serious harm to their life by becoming suicidal, spending all of their money, giving away their possessions or simply getting up and walking away from their present life. It really depends on the history of the person, their environment and things that would be options for them during the period in which they are without their medication. If you know someone who may be in this situation, I would recommend getting them back under medical care as quickly as possible. The longer that they are without their medication, the longer it may take for them to get back into a place of stability, if they do. If a clinician has determined that medication is necessary then it is far from the person's best interest to stop taking their meds.

Answer 2

First off, I was diagnosed with BPII about 6 years ago, so my answer is going to reflect my experiences.

My psychiatrist told me that when people stop taking their medication they go further into the disease because the chemical imbalance becomes greater. Although they can recover, the presence of the illness in the person is stronger. In a way it's like a terminal disease; you start out with good health and slowly start to become ill. You go through some sort of treatment program for the illness, and although you get better, it's not the way you were before the illness struck. It's like going 2 steps forward and 3 steps back.

If I stop taking my medication, I almost immediately (2-3 days)notice a change in my behaviour. For the most part, I head the way of depression, but have gone into hypomania. So, when I hit depressions, I basically want to stay in bed all day and do nothing. I don't take care of myself physically, and I withdraw socially. I can't do anything. All I can tell you is that it's a living hell.

The other way I go, although more rare, is into a hypomanic state. I become irritable, agitated, aggravated, and my mind races 20,000 MPH. I become very creative and have all these ideas, but I cannot actually sit or focus on these ideas to make them a reality.

I am extremely aware of my cycles and feelings although your friend may not be. If they are not aware of their cycles yet they can act out in ways they never have before and their behaviors may change. As it's been said here already, things such as money and sexual behaviors can change. The rush of the hypomania makes you want more of a rush, so it can lead to dangerous risks.

I also have to say that I disagree somewhat with the suicide thing. Yes, a deep depression leads to suicidal thoughts, but if you read a little bit about it, it's on the way OUT of the depression that the person with the illness will attempt it. This is because during a depression they just can't physically and mentally do it. They have the feelings and thoughts of suicide, and probably plan it during that phase, but as they come out of the depression they have the energy to actually physically attempt anything. I suggest reading 'Suicide' by Dr. Kay Jamieson. She has BPI herself and holds a Phd in a field related to mental illness. Her books are excellent, and I believe she works out of John Hopkins.

I really wish your friend well. This illness really is a living hell, even when we are well. We sometimes stop taking our medication because we think that when things are going great that we are well and we are 'cured'. When we are in a depressive cycle, we may stop taking our medication because we hope it will pull us into a hypomanic episode just to feel something other than black. Overall, just understand that your friend is sick, and try to offer all the support you can. Try to get them to take their meds, or see a doctor.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The greatest danger to a bipolar patient (1 or 2) is their own behavior.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by swings between extreme opposite ends of the spectrum of good and bad moods. Bipolar people don't have control over these emotional swings. They thus don't have complete control over their emotions or their actions.

Excessively good mood (strange but true) can impair a person's judgment, causing them to spend money excessively; take unreasonable sexual risks; getting into fights or similar dangerous activities. When a person is feeling excessively good, it is tempting to stop their medication.

Excessively bad mood - well, the worst case scenario here would be suicide.

Answer 4

If a person with bipolar II disorder discontinues their medication they are likely to relapse into a mildly manic state or into a major depressive episode.

Answer 5

It could bring the person to suicide in a bad depressed phase....the person could also drive his/her family and friends nuts....

Answer 6

they won't get any better.....the imbalance of chemicals in the brain will continue to impact judgment and feelings in a negetive way

Answer 7

You really don't want to know... It's horrible if they have a bad case.