how does bipolar affect the brain?

Question

me and my husband was married and together for 9 years and his mom told lies on me said to him i was having an affair which is not true, well now all communicaton has been cut off he has bad highs and lows he doesnt take his meds right and had started drinking ontop of his meds, he said he does it because of the pain hes going through with our parting i treid tot alk to him but all he believes is his mom hes not the same man as he was 2 months ago can you help me?

Answer 1

The problem with bipolar disorder (if that's what it is) is that in the manic phase, a person suffering wouldn't want to resume meds (it feels good).

Mom sounds helpful (sarcasm doesn't flow across a computer screen). Consult a social worker in your area, or the National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI)- they have great resources for families.

Answer 2

http://www.bipolarbrain.com/

I hope some of these links help you. I know that bipolar disorder is a difficult one to work with that requires quite often behavioral therapies AND CONSISTENT medication AND drug and/alcohol treatment (any and all ADDICTION treatment for that matter!) AND family support AND....

I congratulate you on recognizing the disorder. Medications are crucial with this disorder. Drug and alcohol use are very common as a way of self medicating. I don't believe in labeling per-se but when the disorder has been diagnosed professionally and not haphazardly, I agree that we should recognize the problem and find the right solution to that person on an individual case basis. Not every treatment is right for everyone.

His mom is going to be biased and quite possibly will enable his behaviors. Not because she is a mom necessarily but because she is inside the box with him. You said "was married" so are you divorced from him? If so, and are moved away, you can see "outside the box" you can see what the disorder looks like, who and how it affects and are now trying to figure out how to help. It is natural for people who are inside the box/vacuum/whatever with the mentally ill person to "enable" the person with the disorder because it is what comes naturally with wanting to help those we love. It is also natural to minimize the problem and say "oh it's not that bad!'

I encourage you to read the link about what bipolar does to the mind, but also encourage you to check out other resources to help you to manage. I know you want to know what is going on in his brain, which I want you to know.

BUT! I also want you know how this has (and quite possibly has the potential of continuing to) affected your relationship with him, how it affects your relationship with you (ex) mother in law, and how this experience has had on you! Think about counseling for yourself and certainly encourage him to be consistent with his counseling (if he is going). Talk to his mom, maybe both of you could benefit from getting in touch with your local NAMI office:

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=About_NAMI

Here is another excellent resource:
http://www.apa.org/

support can be found there and they may send resources on his inner brain workings.

This is not a simple disorder to deal with when it happens in your own personal circle. I wish you good luck and encourage you not to get lost yourself when trying to help. If you are lost or have neglected your own mental health, then you can't help anyone else. KNOW your own personal boundaries and where you "draw the line" before moving forward in helping or even just learning about your ex.

Email me if you need anything!!! [e-mail]

Cari

Answer 3

well supposedly its suppose to inhibit you from controlling major emotions,anger, depression, joy. My friends dad has it and he goes from happy one moment to destructively angry the next moment!

Answer 4

it destroys it