Does Bi Polar stop?

Question

Hi

I have Bipolar and have been receiving treatment for over 4years now. I know that the elderly suffer from depression, but I have not wittnessed an elderly person with Biploar. I worked in hospitals, clinics and I never really saw anyone over the age of 60 with the disorder. My doctor says that Bipolar gets worse with age ! Is there a chance that Bipolar can lessen with age and actually go away?

Answer 1

From what I understand, the cycles will get faster with age (mine certainly have over the last 25 years). However, there are two schools of thought on severity: one says that the episodes become less evere with age, the other says worse.

My experience has been that they have worsened, and anecdotally that is borne out by the fact that many bipolars are not diagnosed until middle age (I was 41) when the cycles become so extreme that they are either hospitalised or forced to seek trratment.

Answer 2

No, bipolar does not go away. It lessens and gets better with medications, but it never goes away. If you have never seen people over 60 with bipolar disease, it is probably because you did not recognize it, they were in a good place at the time, or their medications are working well.

Answer 3

Unfortunately Bi-Polar will not lessen and just go away. It can be kept in a managed state with the use of medications and therapy but it will never just go away. Don't fret about the actual diagnosis though, there are alot of people who suffer from Bi-Polar who are continuing to live very productive lives. Bi-Polar is a disease but it doesn't have to be the person. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Aging is not due to time but lifestyle. Many are becoming younger as time goes by. Bipolar depends heavily on lifesyle.

See this under bipolar with people WORSE than you with bipolar who are doing great now. Many geniuses are bipolar. One bipolar guy is laughing all the way to the bank on this webpage.

http://www.phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 5

you know what? doctors don't 100% understand bipolar disorder themselves! every bipolar medication tell you that "this medication may work in treating bipolar" but the way it works is unknown.
i don't think doctors have all the answers either.
what is important is how you feel and if medication is working for you. i know people who were on bipolar medication and are off of it now and doing fine.
i also think that today, bipolar is becoming over diagnosed (like ADHD). know yourself, know your symptoms, and most importantly let you doctor know, so he can properly treat you.
best of luck to you

Answer 6

Probably does not stop, just like any other mental disease it usually doesnt go away in patients who have an imbalance in their brain.

i.e. if you suffer from depression from a reason- i.e. someone dieing, etc...then you can get better

i.e. if you suffer from depression from lack of seriton in the brain you probably won't recover- you need to keep taking your meds

Answer 7

I know someone who is 60 and is BiPolar. He does just fine on his meds, years ago he quit a few times, but learned to stay on them.

Answer 8

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, FREE

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

Answer 9

my sister in law has it & from what her Dr. told her she will have to be on meds. for it for the rest of her life,
it does not ever stop. ( she's now 48 & has been on
meds. for it since she was 13) so far the meds. have done the job & she is doing well.

Answer 10

From what I have read, bi polar does not go away. It is manageable with medication but it doesn't go away.