Does Bipolar illness worsen with age?

Question

I've recently been diagnosed with BP II yet I suspected I had it many years ago. I was treated for depression only. I'm close to 30 and I can see how this illness has taken its toll on my career, social, and personal life. I feel as though all is lost. But I am stable now, on Lithium and Effexor. I am having a hard time gettin my energy, ambition, and enthusiasm back, for life. What do you say?

Answer 1

Yes, unfortunately most mental illnesses get worse with age. Those with Bipolar will find that they have more frequent cycling of their moods as they age. I suspect that you could be due for a medication change from what you explained.

Although medication ought to be a last resort, for those with bipolar it is a necessity. It is believed to add years to the life of the patient because those with bipolar tend to get into destructive behaviors during severe mood episodes. The medication helps prevent these episodes from occurring. Also the disease causes death of brain cells over time and medication is believed to help prevent this atrophy. The trick is to find a good balance of medication to help you feel your best. Exercise and healthy eating will also help you to feel your best. They both help the brain to work at its peak.

Source: A Primer of Drug Action By Robert Julien

Talk to your psychiatrist about your lack of ambition and enthusiasm. If you don't like him/her or they dont listen to you, find another. Plenty of them suck and a few are good so keep searching. I am sure there could be a medication adjustment that may help you. Good luck!

Answer 2

As of right now, Im still boarder line with Bipolar, I take Effexor, Seorquel. I think if you stay with your meds and be positive about your self. You will soon realize that you bipolar is not effecting you in any way. I understand everything you say because I feel the same way to. Im scared on what might happen as I get more older. But, I must focus on what Im doing now, then what will happen to me in the future. I feel sometimes that no one cares about what Im going threw and I just have to set there and say its ok I understand and go on with life.

Answer 3

i'm 50 and a guy if that makes any difference. I even have discovered to regulate my episodes of bipolarism. by using administration, meds and a stability of God and paintings and with the help of pals and relatives I even have been able to maintain that solid stability of my ailment. i'm on Zoloft, Nuerontin and Respiradol, alongside with diabetes meds, severe blood stress meds, and cholestorol meds. And maximum severely i've got self belief super no longer dopey or drowsey. i'm able to quite function back. Hooray! carry close in there the suited cocktails of meds and therapy truly paintings. solid success.

Answer 4

My ex wife had or has bipolar and she still goes to this sychiatrist and mhmr center but when we were together ididnt know she was bipolar her mother kept on telling me to make her take her medicine but she didnt because she was taking lithium which is considered a type X medication when you are preganat well for women I really noticed she was depressed in the beggining of the relationship then she stopped taking the medication and she was happier and felt better about herself i noticed that. She felt pretty good after she stopped taking the medication stopped going to the sychiatrist and stopped seeing a doctor for it. Everyone told me she was or is a ticking time bomb. I never had an issue with her before we dicided we werent going to be together. Now after we broke up she told me all i told you about her stopping the medication doctor visits and stuff like that and she said she felt better. But now her mother took her to the hospital and they began her medication back on her and she is a zombie now im in a process of getting custody of my child cuz i pay child support to her mother cus she got custody after she started the medication process. It is a wierd thing im thinking my exs mom did it on purpose to make both of us suffer for separating. And she has to take the medication cus suposetly she tried to kill her self before she ever met me. I want to tell her doctor or somone that she doesnt need medication but no one belives me I mean we were leaving happy for a while with out her druged up and stuff. If you think you need medication thats cool take it and leave happy but i dont think you need it. bipolar can be treated with happiness. I heard that those drugs really take an effect on your body.

Answer 5

Just the fact that you are able to acknowledge what you have described here makes me think you have great potential.
I suspect that people who do not come to terms with their condition would be far more likely to worsen with age.
I admire your honesty, and wish you the best in your recovery.

Answer 6

I get better every year, never take meds for it and look forward to being old enough to be tired of living for a good enough reason that I can smoke again.