I have a friend with bipolar disorder and she is doing well. She went through a period in her 20's when she was up and down a lot and couldn't find the right medications to regulate her mood. A couple of years ago she found a new psychiatrist who started her on a new medication combo. My friend says this made all the difference -- she is finding her mood to be more stable and she isn't getting the awful fatigue and "fuzziness" she felt on her previous meds. She still struggles occasionally to handle her emotions. She works with a therapist on this and also practices mindfulness meditation that helps her stay grounded.

A friend with manic depression called me recently from the mental ward of the hospital. He was raging about things in his life as newly destitute, dysfunctional extended family, etc...and the doc involuntarily placing him in the hospital because he "jokingly" suggested burning down a relative's house. He said he doesn't need therapy or meds because he can self manage. He also has reached out for, and I'm trying to help with, food assistance.
It's sad and scary. Trying to support him but I'm 8 months pregnant, bedridden, and have a toddler. He's lonely and feels isolated. I talk to him occasionally by phone and online. But I'm uncomfortable allowing him to visit because he just really seems unstable right now.
For those with this condition, how can I best help him?

Anonymous wrote:You're totally not alone. Have you read anything by Kay Redfield Jamison? She's a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins and has written quite eloquently about her own struggle with bipolar disorder and the disorder in generally. I highly recommend her works.

+1

I have been off of my Meds for about 3 years. I won't lie and say its easy. If I have to be in a maniac state I have to catch myself before it gets to out of control. I dont things go downhill very fast. There have been many times I've considered suicide but I've been brave enough to do it.

If you decide to try going off medication because of what you have read here, please do it while under the care of a good psychiatrist and psychologist/counselor/social worker. I have known 2 people who thought they did so much better off medication and both committed suicide off medication.

You're totally not alone. Have you read anything by Kay Redfield Jamison? She's a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins and has written quite eloquently about her own struggle with bipolar disorder and the disorder in generally. I highly recommend her works.

I'm also bipolar. I've been diagnosed as maniac depression. I will be honest I feel like I do so much better when I'm not drugged up. Am I perfect, Hell no but when i was on the meds I lost who I was as a person( plus gained a ton of weight) And I will be honest my social life SUCKS!!!!!! I don't really keep a lot of friends because when I'm not careful my emotions get out of control which leads to depression, anger (much better controlled then in my teen years) and I guess when it's gets hard for people to be around you. My family are the only ones who truly understand me and are always there. I learned the hard way that I also am horrible at Social setting, even though I like being around people it's hard. my dating life suffers because of it u get emotional very quickly) i learned the hard way i cant do roommates. My emotions gets in the way a lot...When I was younger they tried every medication out there on me and I got tired of the weird side effects. My breaking point was when a doctor gave me a medicine that left me to the point where I could not function properly and basically thought it was ok. It was horrible I couldn't even walk, could not stay awake or anything. At that point I got tired of being a test subject.
(yes i did comment on another post i figured it was easier to cut and copy)

I was diagnosed bipolar when I was 13. My oldest brother died when I was 13. I was undiagnosed (for lack of better words) when I was 16, because who can really say how a 13 year old should grieve? My other brother is bipolar and schizophrenic. I don't think I'm completely clean and I may in fact be bipolar on the low end of the spectrum. I have learned my warning signs of depression and mania and have learned to control myself during those times without medication.

Every couple months I'll go through a streak of depression or mania. When I'm depressed I sleep constantly, eat fast food, and recede from life as much as possible. When I am manic I exercise like crazy, eat less but cook great food, smoke, drink, and get somewhat promiscuous. I usually catch it starting and can usually make plans to keep myself on a regular schedule until it passes.

In relationships (romantic and other) I try to avoid arguing by acknowledging the situation and coming back to it. I can get very mean very quickly and that is the best way to keep things from getting blown up.

I'm bipolar and I'm just looking for some support to hopefully see I'm not alone..