I need help dealing with bipolar disorder--what can I do?

Question

I've been ok for a few years, but over the past several weeks I've been horrible depressed, and I'm not sure why. I get depressed a lot, but it usually goes away by the next morning. Now it's ongoing. I don't know how to deal with it. I'm working full time and taking 3 college classes which I know is causing stress. I feel like I want to check myself into a hospital for a while but I can't because I need to go to work and pay my bills and I need all my sick leave for upcoming surgery. Is there anyother way of dealing with this?

Answer 1

You need to talk to your doctor. I deal with depression and I take medication. At first I was embarrassed, but it helps and I don't feel like I'm out of control

Answer 2

Hi there, I have bipolar as well, somethings that have helped me in the past to deal with all the junk that went on during a time period is this: Support groups in your area. Whether it be NAMI, or DBSA. Check your local mental health listings. Or online. If I knew the area you lived I could find one for you in a heartbeat. Also make sure that you are communicating with your doctor. Make sure that the communication between you and her/him is totally open or you won't get the help you need. If you would like more information, contact me through my 360 page.

Answer 3

Stress is definately not going to help. Is there anyway of reducing the college side of things, maybe getting a deferment of the course?

My Hubby has this disorder, he takes, Seroxat everyday and betablockers when he is over stressed.

One thing that does seem to help him is exercise. He runs quite a distance and goes to the gym.
Also, he has opened up to me and told me how i can support him, which is better for him, as I'm not adding to his problems and better for me, so I feel I can support my husband. If you have someone close to you, it would be a good idea to be fully open with them and let people help you, rather than suffering in silence.
Wishing you the best ; )

Answer 4

Hi Tims,
My thoughts are with you. Just spent a 6 day inpatient stay for another major depressive episode. Its very important you seek professonal help. Your job, schooling, and upcoming surgery really won't matter much if you are so mentally debalitated you can't function. Take care!!

Answer 5

I have bipolar disorder as well. There are numerous breathing and relaxation techniques u can use. Like 10 deep breaths then tense all muscles slowly from head to toe then another ten deep breaths. Sounds silly but works for me. You can see a psychiatrist or a doctor and ask for a drug called zyprexa (olanzopine), its a mood stabiliser, similar to lithium but not as potent. Try this website from Australia, where I'm from http://www.bipolar.com.au/

Answer 6

Will workman's compensation pay for your leave? They should because in a way, you were injured at work (because you are bipolar and work caused a lot of stress). Good luck!

Answer 7

see a doctor and get meds for your condition just remember it takes about 6 weeks for the meds to work

Answer 8

dont worry bro, i have it to. have for six years. if you ever want to talk to someone, just drop me an email or im.

Answer 9

Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Cycles may be predominantly manic or depressive with normal mood between cycles. Mood swings may follow each other very closely, within hours or days, or may be separated by months to years. These "highs" and "lows" may vary in intensity and severity.

When someone is in a manic "high," s/he may be overactive, over talkative, and have a great deal of energy. S/he will switch quickly from one topic to another, as if s/he cannot get thoughts out fast enough; the attention span is often short, and s/he can easily be distracted. Sometimes, the "high" person is irritable or angry and has false or inflated ideas about his/her position or importance in the world. S/he may be very elated, full of grand schemes which might range from business deals to romantic sprees. Often, s/he shows poor judgment in these ventures. Mania, untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state.

Depression will show in a "low" mood, with lack of energy, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, worthlessness, and guilt, and sometimes thoughts of suicide.

Lithium
The medication used most often over the years to combat a manic "high" is lithium. It is unusual to find mania without a subsequent or preceding period of depression. Lithium evens out mood swings in both directions, so that it is used not just for acute manic attacks or flare-ups of the illness, but also as an ongoing treatment of bipolar disorder.

Lithium will diminish severe manic symptoms in about 5 to 14 days, but it may be anywhere from days to several months until the condition is fully controlled. Antipsychotic medications are sometimes used in the first several days of treatment to control manic symptoms until the lithium begins to take effect. Likewise, antidepressants may be needed in addition to lithium during the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

Someone may have one episode of bipolar disorder and never have another, or be free of illness for several years. However, for those who have more than one episode, continuing (maintenance) treatment on lithium is usually given serious consideration.

Some people respond well to maintenance treatment and have no further episodes, while others may have moderate mood swings that lessen as treatment continues. Some people may continue to have episodes that are diminished in frequency and severity. Unfortunately, some manic-depressive patients may not be helped at all. Response to treatment with lithium varies, and it cannot be determined beforehand who will or will not respond to treatment.

Regular blood tests are an important part of treatment with lithium. A lithium level must be checked periodically to measure the amount of the drug in the body. If too little is taken, lithium will not be effective. If too much is taken, a variety of side effects may occur. The range between an effective dose and a toxic one is small. A lithium level is routinely checked at the beginning of treatment to determine the best lithium dosage for the patient. Once a person is stable and on maintenance dosage, a lithium level should be checked every few months. How much lithium a person needs to take may vary over time, depending on the severity of the bipolar disorder, body chemistry, and physical condition.

Anything that lowers the level of sodium (table salt is sodium chloride) in the body may cause a lithium buildup and lead to toxicity. Reduced salt intake, heavy sweating, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea may do this. An unusual amount of exercise or a switch to a low-salt diet are examples. It's important to be aware of conditions that lower sodium and to share this information with the doctor. The lithium dosage may have to be adjusted.

When a person first takes lithium, s/he may experience side effects, such as drowsiness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hand tremor, or increased thirst and urination. These usually disappear or subside quickly, although hand tremor may persist. Weight gain may also occur. Dieting will help, but crash diets should be avoided because they may affect the lithium level. Drinking low-calorie or no-calorie beverages will help keep weight down. Kidney changes, accompanied by increased thirst and urination, may develop during treatment. These conditions are generally manageable and are reduced by lowering the dosage. Because lithium may cause the thyroid gland to become underactive (hypothyroidism) or sometimes enlarged (goiter), thyroid function monitoring is a part of the therapy. To restore normal thyroid function, thyroid hormone is given along with lithium.

Because of possible complications, lithium may either not be recommended or may be given with caution when a person has existing thyroid, kidney, or heart disorders, epilepsy, or brain damage. Women of childbearing age should be aware that lithium increases the risk of congenital malformations in babies born to women taking lithium. Special caution should be taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Lithium, when combined with certain other medications, can have unwanted effects. Some diuretics substances that remove water from the body increase the level of lithium and can cause toxicity. Other diuretics, like coffee and tea, can lower the level of lithium. Signs of lithium toxicity may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, mental dullness, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, muscle twitching, irregular heart beat, and blurred vision. A serious lithium overdose can be life-threatening. If you are taking lithium, you should tell all your doctors, including dentists, about all the other medications you are taking.

With regular monitoring, lithium is a safe and effective drug that enables many people, who otherwise would suffer from incapacitating mood swings, to lead normal lives.

Answer 10

go to a doctor.. he will help u, relax and take it ez,