I have been depressed for nearly 7 years and over the past year have been diagnosed with bipolar. I take the proper medication and I see a therapist and a psychiatrist. Still, I have a problem with depression and my bipolar episodes. Is there any hope to a normal life?
2006-12-04 08:24:50 · 12 answers · asked by Jaysangl 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
The medication I am now on are Lithium and Wellbutrin. So, I know I'm not OVER medicated. These meds have made me a lot better. I'm not in bed 16 hours out of the day anymore. However, I'm still not working for fear of being able to hold down a job due to my condition. I still don't feel 100% & I guess I never will due to my condition. However, my concern is whether or not anyone out there has overcome this to live a semi-normal life even or knows of anyone that has and what was their approach to it. I feel I'm doing everything right. I have support from my kids & husband. Still with everything going well in my life I get sad, lonely, moody, irritated, withdrawn, fatigued, etc...sometimes all at the same time. I'm a honor student in college so it's not like I'm a complete loser as some responses have said. I'm a good mother, wife, and citizen.
2006-12-04 11:26:35 · update #1
I know where you are coming from, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder 18 months ago. For a long time, it felt like I couldn't have a normal life because I was 'damaged goods', always on the point of failing again.
There i shope, though. I had a med change and an attitude change. My meds are lamotrigine (Lamictal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa) and they suit me well: I'm very stable and have a 'normal' range of emotions (I was very 'flat' before). The attitude change is the hard part, and I have no easy fixes for you. For me, it was a realisation that what I had was all there was: I couldn't go on waiting for the next collapse, I just had to get on with living, and if it went wrong then at least I'd tried and my family would understand.
I'm leading a pretty normal and successful life right now, and I'm able to hold down a good job. And guess what? Nothing has fallen apart on me, and I haven't flunked anything.
There's a very good online support group at http://www.crazyboards.org and if you haven't read it then I'd suggest getting hold of a copy of The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (Amazon link below).
Best of luck.
2006-12-05 03:08:38 · answer #1 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depression is part of being Bipolar. It's not two separate diseases. It used to be called Manic-Depression. If you're still having problems after 7 years it's time to think about getting more opinions on your medicines or a new doctor who knows that depression is part of your bipolar disorder.. You may be on too many antidepressants and may need less of them and better or more mood stabilizers (lithium, lamictal etc). You wll have a normal life but you need to make some changes on the care you're getting.
2006-12-04 08:42:25 · answer #2 · answered by Debra D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the key to a normal life is to stay on the meds, many bi polars think it is a sighn of weakness to be dependent on meds , when in fact it is the meds that will control the condition so you can live a normal life ....just give it time and stay the course...between the meds and some talk thearpy you will manage the condition and live a normal life.....best friend is a psycoligist and my wife works in mental health clinic.
2006-12-04 08:37:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is good that you are taking your medication and seeing a therapist. I have a step-brother who is bipolar. He often tries to "self medicate" with alcohol and/or drugs. That is so disastrous. It is so important that you continue to take your meds. Make sure you have a good support systems and follow your therapist and psychiatrists instructions. It is not curable, but it is live-able and controllable.
Best of luck to you.
2006-12-04 08:33:04 · answer #4 · answered by his temptress 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i was diagnosed with manic depression in 1980 (as it was called then) and put on lithium. then in 2001 i was switched to depakote. i had become allergic to the lithium i had been on it so long. i love how i feel on depakote. i even have my emotions back. if i were you, i would also try some other doctors who are psychiatrists dealing with people who have bi-polar disorder diseases. i wish you all the best.
2006-12-04 09:32:57 · answer #5 · answered by rubyred 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctor's medication. Follow orders and live a normal life.
2006-12-04 08:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by robert m 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suffer from the same think, almost for the same amount of time. I have come to the conclusion the their is no normall you work with what you have
2006-12-04 09:02:52 · answer #7 · answered by tonarmstrong 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can define normal, you are way ahead of the rest of us. Bipolar disorder can be controlled, but no one has been "cured" of it.
2006-12-04 08:27:09 · answer #8 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At least you have your husband and kids....I lost mine with undiagnosed bi-polar......I wish you the best.....Now that I am on the meds I still feel crazy and weird.....You're lucky you have it all. Kitty
2006-12-04 15:02:38 · answer #9 · answered by Kitty L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get off of the meidcation. Eat right. GO outside. Get laid. Be human instead of a psychobabble parrot. I doubt you even know what bi-polar means. It is crap from a doctor getting kickback from drug companies.
2006-12-04 08:27:29 · answer #10 · answered by Jimfix 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋