Bipolar Treatment

Re: Bipolar
anonymous

Question:
Has anyone been diagnosed with Bipolar or bipolar II? I have been having some problems for quite some time and have looked at the signs and symptoms of depression and bipolar disease, and basically have every sign for bipolar II. I

Hi, first off, please please do not feel shame for something you did not "cause, can not control, or cure."  Bipolar illness comes in many forms and levels of severity.  It is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and there are medications you can take that will help you to feel well again. In my experience, as having BP, and heading a support group, the following would be the most problematic, not taking medications, lack of sleep, not eating properly, and any type of obsessive thought racing, hyper-sexual, buying/spending, or any thing else that would  "not be in the ordinary for you" *speech, behaviors, dressing style etc.  during times when you are feeling yourself vs. feeling unwell.  In addition, have your thyroid gland check out,*blood work, as this can really put you out of wack, and have feelings of depression.

My thought would be first to go to a psychiatrist, explain what is concerning you, after some conversations, the psy. will probably give you some options of medications for a trial.  Read up on each medication, as each comes with side effects, and you can get valuable information as to the care of your body, foods, vitamins etc.  Another medication that is not detrimental to you would be Antioxidants, Fish oils, Flax Seed, Vit. B through B-12, no alcohol, or drugs, and finding a support group to reduce the isolation/shame factor. Get exercise!! This is so important for your body, as it gives you a feeling of accomplishment, reduced isolation-thinking, insomnia, etc. in addition to helping with depression by increase of seratonin,(http://www.angelfire.com/hi/TheSeer/seratonin.html),  (www.angelfire.com) a brain chemical released through exercise to promote happiness. 

Bipolar goes in cycles, usually starting out at a regular level, then progressing to a "creative/I can do anything, to a dangerous time when there is little to no control over impulsive behavior, and if not checked at this point, can lead to psychosis due to lack of sleep, thoughts, and not eating properly.  Then comes the part of the depressive response, this could present either as paranoia, questioning all you do, to a deep sadness, followed by a deep depression as exhaustion and fear take over your feelings about yourself and "feeling broken and worthless". 

Should you be hospitalized, there may be a period of medication trials, stabilization on new medication, and then out patient treatment one on one, or group therapy.  After this, perhaps feeling very tired, a bit shaky or fuzzy due to medication, trying to understand what happened, and adjusting to the new addition to your life...and truly, " Bipolar is only one part of you"..remember that before being dx'd, there are many things within your personality that people loved about you, and some things that didn't agree with some, YOU ARE STILL THE SAME PERSON, caring, feeling, living the best you can, and with help, you and your circumstances can improve drastically once you are stabilized through the use of medication and self help.

Now is a time where not many things seem real, being very self-focused, and fearing "being found out", due to stigmatism, due to these issues, watch your self talk, if you are in a group therapy take what makes sense to you and leave the rest, and for persons who do not understand what is going on with you, or avoid you, when they used to be friendly, try to help them by giving them the name of a book, or web site to read about the illness, as unemotionally as you can.  You are still You!!  If someone had diabetes, or cancer, or heart attack, they too would need medication, therapy, and have a residual time frame to recover from the initial shock.

I can only offer what I know for me, as I was dx'd in 1984 with Bipolar, then known as Manic Depression.  After the painful death of my sister, I went off the deep end to float in the psychotic area twice within 6 months. I was placed on medication, Lithium at the time, hospitalized for 3 wks the first time and a month the second time.  Personally, I believe the body and mind need to be healed not only through medication, but learning to cope and work through what ever may have been the trigger for the mania. My trigger was a  traumatic event, this pushed me over the edge, the death of my sister at 34 with two babies from cancer. I could not comprehend or process this horrible event, needless to say I could not cope and therefore, my body and brain went into overload of emotion with no escape or answers.  

That was a very difficult time for me, but I want to give you some  hope.  Each person, and this is very important, has a different level of the disease.  Some are incapacitated to such a degree they are unable to work. Others, like myself, are able *with time* to lead full productive lives.  Similar to Epilepsy, there are those who have terrible seizures, unable to be controlled by medication, so they seize quite often.  Then there are those who take their medication, feel well, recover to work, have relationships, children etc. 

You do have a choice, what you eat, how you care for yourself, and what type of issues you react to, or circumstances you are in right now will contribute to either a healthy approach to dealing with this illness and how you see yourself and your circumstances.  The second choice would be to disregard the symptoms, not care for yourself either physically or mentally, and go into a full fledged mania, followed by a debilitating depression.  I do not write this to scare you, only to let you know you   do have some "control" over your care, by what you eat, medical attention and the outcome of your condition.  Do not stop taking your medication without dr. supervision just because you "feel good" as this could be not only detrimental to your health and the use of this medication, or it could be a symptom you need to check out with your dr. to make sure you are level.

Be kind to yourself, keeping yourself connected with supportive friends and family is so very important.  Be supportive to yourself, if you need quiet, then express this, if you need a hug, ask for one, if you want/don't want company it is "ok" to say not right now, please visit at another time.  It is amazing how people who are ignorant of your feelings or the illness, can either rally round and support you, or out of fear and not understanding will not come round due to "lack of knowledge, or not knowing what to say to you", give those people a chance, let them see you are still you, and ask for their help...shopping, going to lunch together, movie. Because another symptom of the illness is a tendency towards isolation and thinking too much. Then wanting quiet with not too much stimulation, especially after a mania event. 

Those who love you, will continue to love you, and those who "you think don't love you anymore, still love you but feel uncertain,  "as you feel about yourself sometimes"....they mean no harm or rejection from you, they may need time to adjust as you do.  If someone stresses you out, shorten the time spent with them.  If a family member is not "healthy" be be around, learn coping methods, acceptance that this is the way they are and Let Go of what is not in your control. 

On a positive note, after 1986 I have not had a manic episode.  I was on lithium (watch your teeth and stomach, get levels) anti psychotics, and depression medication.  After stable, the anti psychotics went, after 1994 the lithium went, and today I just take medication for depression. This is called "uni-polar" when in a state of depression most of the time.  I have worked for nearly 32 years, I have a child and am a single parent. I am truly confident learning coping strategies, therapy, surrounding myself with supportive people (these may not be your birth family), and most of all taking care of my self by taking my meds, being active, having structure for my day, and looking forward to my future. (some days easier than others), My love and belief of my faith, living in gratitude, doing what I can to change a situation rather than self pity or worrying/complaining about something I have no control over are some of the strategies I used.  I hope some understanding and peace will come to you through my experience, and will be helpful to you on your journey. 

Take care, Simba1