Intended for people with Bipolar...What was the breaking point for you when you realized that you needed meds?

Question

Person believes that there is nothing wrong. Has not lived a "normal" life for over a year. What helped you realize that help was needed? Anything to speed up the process?

Answer 1

Feature articles on bipolar disorder:
Bipolar drug Lamictal tied to birth defects when used by expectant mothers
(NewsTarget) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that expectant mothers taking GlaxoSmithKline's epilepsy and bipolar disorder drug Lamictal could experience a higher rate of birth defects than women not taking the drug. A recent registry of 564 pregnant women who took Lamictal...

Omega-3-rich flax seeds provide much-needed nutrition for optimal mental health
What can transform someone from being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome to a state of total mental and physical wellbeing? As James Boschman discovered, omega-3 fatty acids can work those wonders and more. Within three weeks of incorporating flax seed -- the highest known vegetable...

Brain health dramatically improved by intake of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils
It's no secret that long-term diet and nutrition choices have an effect on the way we look and feel; but new studies show that nutrition can also affect the way we think. As it turns out, there really is such a thing as “food for thought.” It may seem strange that what we put in our stomachs...

Concept-related articles:

depression:

* Do Antidepressants Cure or Create Abnormal Brain States? (PLoS Medicine)
* Brain health dramatically improved by intake of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils
* Antidepressants Associated With Increased Risk of Diabetes in Pre-Diabetics (press release)
* Depression and mental disorders can be prevented and treated with simple healing foods

mental illness:

* Psychiatric Drugs: Chemical Warfare on Humans - interview with Robert Whitaker

Answer 2

I think most bipolar people ask for help when they are depressed. If a person is hypomanic, they won't know there is anything wrong, and I suspect a person would lose all insight into their illness if they were manic enough.

I figured out that I had a mental illness in about 1994, when I was in my late 20's. Before that, I thought my depressions were being upset about being sexually abused (well, there is certainly some depression due to that, too!!!) and intermittent laziness. I knew I was sad and unhappy, but didn't know why. I did go to counseling, and nobody figured it out. Probably didn't mention the shopping sprees and constantly getting onto new and better ideas. When I was hypomanic, I thought everyone else was lazy. I think I would have figured it out a lot sooner if the Internet had been available. I tried meds right away, because I was in graduate school and had to get better right away. I don't think the doctors were very honest with me - I think they tried to help me save my career, but it was hopeless. But I was sure desperate to get something to make me functional.

I don't think there is anything you can do to "make" them realize they have a problem unless they aren't too extreme. I assume from your question that you have had conversations with this person, and they didn't agree that they had a problem. Check out NAMI's website, national association for the mentally ill. They deal a lot with getting treatment to those who don't want it. I used to hate those people, because i feared being on the receiving end of forced treatment (which I see as rape - oh, wait, is that the sex abuse talking?) but now I think when someone is first coming down with mental illness, they may need such an intervention until they learn for themselves what kind of treatment they want. Also, are you SURE this person is bipolar? I have heard a lot of funny ideas on here about what bipolar is.

Good luck!

PS bipolar and manic depressive illness are the same thing. The name was changed to bipolar several years ago. And getting out with friends more and using omega 3 fatty acids and exercising and all that are very helpful for a bipolar person, but only meds will make such a person stable (or more stable). If someone gets all better by socializing more, they weren't bipolar.

Answer 3

I am not bipolar, but am Manic Depressive. The two are very similiar, the difference being that bipolar is the rapid changes between any given moods, manic/depressive is the rapid changes between moods of being extremely happy and hyper, to sudden and intense despair.
The time of reckoning came for me when an ex propsed to me. The second I saw the ring, I bounced up and hugged him. Then suddenly I began sobbing on his shoulder, I felt so scared and upset after a fleeting thought about I hope this is the right man.
Within weeks, my mother and probation officer had me in a psychiatrist's office, agreeing to try meds to stabilize my moods. I was on Abilify for two weeks. At the time, it was still experimental but they said that it had very good results thus far, showing that only 20% of users gained weight, only 30% chance of birth defects, and only 5% reported increased feelings of suicide. But it was waiting for FDA approval after further feild testing. It supressed my moods alright. All day, I felt bored and wanted to do nothing. I gained 5 pounds. And since it's 24 hour dosage, there would be a period at which the effects were weak (usually thirty minutes before and after a new pill) During these periods, I would become uncontrollably angry, or depressed to the point of wanting to commit suicide. I also have a small problem where I get dizzy easier than most people. During my time on Abilify, it escalated in intensity and even resulted in fainting on the last day I took the pill. I was narrowly saved by a friend from hitting my head on the coffee table. He had to get stitches in his hand where the corner stabbed into his hand where he had grabbed my head.

As a suggestion, look into alternative forms of therapy. My alternate? I began role playing on a more frequent basis and hanging out with my friends. There are still times where my disorder shows through quite vibrantly, but it is not a large part of my life any more.

Answer 4

What brought me down to my knees was my family , the last 3 months of the downs more than ups I had locked my self in my bedroom I got out to get coffee , I had this place that delivered my needs , I am a recovering alcoholic and has been for 19 years , I stopped going my meeting I thought of suicide more than I ever did. I did not call anyone or answer the phone I am 5'6 I dropped down to 95 pounds. I was on the edge of dying because I did not think anyone can help me or feel like i do. Finley one day my adopted Mom, and my AA sponsor came over and had the land lord open it , that was 12 years ago, I take my meds every day I never want to die I look forward to things I got married. amazing thing just hold take your meds

Answer 5

The Catholic Church is out of contact with the demands of its individuals routinely. Did you recognize that in line with a research of 10,000 ladies through the Guttmacher Institute, the ladies who're Catholic have abortions on the identical price or perhaps a higher price than the common populace? These canons of the Catholic Church have no longer constantly been so. There used to be a time while the Church allowed abortions as much as forty - eighty days. And even as soon as there used to be a Pope, Pope John XXI-- who wrote a booklet referred to as Treasure of the Poor, this used to be earlier than he grew to be Pope, that incorporated emmenagogual herbs and contraceptive herbs. Largely the sanctions in opposition to abortion began after the Black Death, while the populace of Europe used to be decreased through part. It is time the Church embraced its fans with love, it doesn't matter what they decide upon. Women will have to no longer have got to conceal from their non secular publications in disgrace. It is the an identical of a mum or dad kicking their liked daughter out the door in her time of such a lot want. It is barbaric.

Answer 6

My first year of college and living away from home triggered a severe, almost psychotic, depression. I wasn't diagnosed bipolar until we started trying different medications.

Answer 7

Whats a normal life? Don't let all these BS pharmacutical companies convince you that negitive feelings are a bad thing and you need to buy their expensive drugs. Those drugs are not designed to cure you, but keep you on them and paying.
Excercise is good stress relief, and there are all sorts of other options, just don't buy into that medication crap... (Some ARE actually good, but go to a trusted doctor) and over all, dont let anyone "SELL" you meds... dont go into a doctors office knowing what you want prescribed...

Answer 8

Practicing some breathing exercises help a lot for depression, worry, stress, fears, insecurities, anger, anxieties, loneliness, & for all unwanted emotional states, etc.
Mindfulness of Breathing exercises:
1) Be in a comfortable position, whether sitting
or lying down.
2) Have someone watch your other children for
about 10 or 15 min. [Increase in time, after practicing for a month].
Then close your eyes, and concentrate
totally on your breathing.
3) At the end of your first inhalation of oxygen,
count one. Keep doing this until you get to
ten. Remain patient with yourself.
4) Then focus your attention on breathing only
through your nostrils, which filter out all
the things, which are not healthy to breath
into your lungs. Be aware of the various
sensations through your nostrils, while you
continue the counting. When you get to
ten, start again at one.
5) When a distracting thoughts enters your mind
allow them to pass through {your mind], w/out
analyzing them, or judging them, or trying to fix them.
And then gently, patiently bring your full
attention back to your breath. Every time,
a distracting thought {any thought which
would take your attention of your breath),
comes to your mind, you need to use this
skillful, disciplinary method of bring it back.
Thoughts do come into our minds, especially
worrisome , or pressing thoughts
which dictate to us that we have an anxious mind.
Just be patient w/yourself, and keep practicing.
**"There is already proven evidence of the
Success of The Mindfulness of Breathing
exercises Proven by Dr. Jon Kabat-ZinnPhD
and by many other Dr.s and Scientists as
well. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. has a book
out called, "Coming to Our Senses' which
teaches this. *There is also a book called, " The
Beginner's Guide to Insight Meditation"
by: Arinna Weisman & Jean Smith is most
Excellent also.*” Insight meditation is a higher
form of The Mindfulness of Breathing exercises, which
greatly help us to accurately, & clearly see things as they really are!! It's really helpful.
For some it may be necessary to take a anti-depressant, or to pray to a god for strength, or confidence, or comfort. If this helps you deal with stress, anxiety, depression, etc. Then practice this also. Use whatever methods which help you or combine them, to receive Most help.
I practice mindfulness of breathing to reduce stress, providing insight into life. It is Great !
P.S. - the mindfulness of breathing helps with anger a lot too. Reading the book: "Working with Anger.” by: Thubten Chodron will help if you experience occasional anger/are under the influenceof anger or hatred often. I use to get impatient, intolerant, and angry toward those who criticize, harshly judge, or condemn other people for having different beliefs. I found that
Working with anger – helped a great deal. Be very Patient with Yourself, and continue the practice of the Mindfulness of Breathing daily. Even if your at first, only able to commit to 10 min. a day. "This meditative practice, the mindfulness of breathing exercises are what Medical Doctors, Psychiatrists, most Psychologists and especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapists teach their patients to help them intelligently to control symptoms of depression, anxieties, insecurities, bipolar, adhd, worries, loneliness, And for many people who are pessimistic in life, as well as many other unwanted mental and emotional states. Check out the books I have suggested to you. I have full confidence in you as you practice The Mindfulness of Breathing daily.

Answer 9

i was in loud arguments with 10 or more strangers in a month i went to my doc and he referred me to a psychiatrist and i learned i am bi polar and have been over 50 years not correctly diagnosed before that