For Bi-Polar II disorder, what seems to help with the severe depressions along with medications?

Question

Hello,
My mother was diagnosed with Bi-polar back in 1993 and has had to be court ordered to take medications following three very sever manic episodes. This past year was the last, and she was in the hospital for several months. She has her medications stable again, Lithium, and a couple new ones. This time around she and my dad ended up divorcing as a result, and I have helped her restart a new life on her own. She is very depressed and I know that doctors don't necessarily recommend anti-depresents with bi-polar disorder. Is there something to help her from being so depressed? She has a fear of doctors as well, which doesn't help. I try to see her as often as I can, but it is very hard to see her so despondent. She won't take care of herself or her new place. We have found a program to help with a nurse three times a day and house cleaning. But it seems as soon as I go away she will resort back to watching tv/sleeping and crying all the time. Any help???

Answer 1

It has been proven that combined treatment of medication and therapy go hand in hand. She should consider seeing a specialist who can not only diagnose her but also prescribe the right combinations of medications in conjunction with the therapy.

Answer 2

My sweetheart had severe depression like this. Over the years we have tried so many meds...Finally, this year she had ECT treatments (7) and the difference is astonishing. She simply isn't depressed anymore. Electric Convulsive Therapy is not dark ages anymore, it's cutting edge medicine. I sat in on some of the treatments which we did inpatient, although you can do them outpatient too. First they sedated her, then gave her a medicine to relax her muscles so she wouldn't spasm from the volts; however, one arm was tied off so it didn't get the muscle relaxant. After the voltage was given the doc held her hand to feel the depth of the treatment and the EKG machine showed the seizure induced by the voltage. It was all rather scary, but remember, I said she isn't sad anymore! There was some disorientation after the procedures but she would sleep it off and I would see her after she got up. Twenty-three years of marriage with a depressed wife, five children...Now a half year period with absolutely no depression, it has been a little hard to adjust to a fully functional wife, she's a lot of work, but in all the right ways. I'm not sure which is more tiring, the running, the relationship, or the lovemaking :) I just think you need to hear about ECT. I hadn't heard of it, but my wife had and she chose to do it. What a miracle for us, could it be one for your mom too?

Answer 3

Well, I have Bipolar II also and I am not currently medicated. (Oh my gosh, send the cops to my house, right?) There's more to it then the right medications (if there is such thing). Therapy is so important and honestly a lot more helpful then medication. Your mom needs to learn to work out her issues not just hide them through pills.

But going the pill route she could easily be prescribed an SSRI or other anti-deppressant. In fact all through my struggle I've been given an anti-D and a mood stabilizer (or 2) and a slew of other meds. Did they ever help me? Not really. But I do have this question, how often are they checking your mother's lithium level, if at all? That is so important with Lithium. Lithium helped me a lot but I tended to slip into deep depression when my dose needed adjusting. Perhaps that is the case with your mother.

Answer 4

How do you think your mom might take getting a second oppinion from another doctor about her meds? I know you said she doesn't like doctors. It is just that if she is on the right meds she should be having better luck with them than having to go into the hospital repeatedly. A lot of the times it is finding the right doctor that is the problem. Also, the doctor that she sees, does this doc know she is depressed? I had an ex-gf with BPD. Not an easy thing to watch a loved one go through but better healthcare can surely help. Best of luck to both of you.

Answer 5

You and her doc could consider Zyprexa (olanzapine) in conjunction with Prozac (fluoxetine) for refractory (treatment resistant) depression with bipolar disorder. While I do not suffer badly with depression, I can say that Zyprexa has been a fantastic drug for me.

Actually, Lithium is not particularly useful for bipolar 2, AFAIK. I'm bipolar 2 and take Lamictal (lamotrigine) as a mood stabiliser. It has a fairly good antidepressant action in its own right. Might be worth changing doctor. Once she gets stable, then you can start to work on the other issues.

Best wishes

Answer 6

Where did you hear that doctors don't prescribe anti-depressants with bi-polar disorder? Yes they do to combat the deep dark depression bi-polar disorder brings on. Watching TV all day, crying uncontrollably, excessive sleep...these are all major signs/symptoms of depression, and your mother needs a medication evaluation by a competent licensed mental health professional. I truly feel for you and your family for what you are all going through; and I can deeply empathize with your mother. I work with SO MANY clients who have uncontrolled mood swings where they cycle from mania to depression. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers...and the main thing is to get immediate help for your mother....suicide is the result of an untreated mental disorder. Please remember that.

Answer 7

It would be a great ideal for your mom to move into a group home. She than will be with other people all the time, and with people who maybe have the same disorder. It's so important that she DOES stay on her meds. If the Lithium does not work alone, she may need another drug. Her Dr. should be trying other drugs until he can get her as best he can to "normal". If he is not, try another Dr. Mental illness is just as serious as heart disease. Stick in there, she truly needs you...

Answer 8

I am 57 years old and have just been told I am an"bi-polar" kind of guy. My heart goes out to you and your mother, I have a very good medical support team and seem to be functioning ok. I wish I could tell you something to help.. The one thing that impacts me most is wife is adected to the soap opera channel and the emotions displayed there do me no good.

Answer 9

i , myself have trouble with being bi-polar, although mine isn`t quite this severe with mania-but i do have a lot of trouble with depression. i do not advice any antideppresants ssri`s.this will really mess your head up-paxil, cymbalta, WONDERFUL at first then, very bad side effects for bi-polar,maybe some of the old ones?-they ever helped me. your mom is also rebuilding her life, try to get her to walk some.meet others at a fitness place or ymca.good luck & GOD bless,i know it`s hard on you.

Answer 10

This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/