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Hello I'm new here, I've never tried a support group before but I'm wlling to try anything at this point. I'm 22 and I'm bipolar. For years I didn't know what was wrong with me,until my mom had enough and at the age of 17 I found out,finally it all made sense. I've been through anorexia,cutting,suiside attemps,drug abuse,distroyed relationships, off and on pills for years,and all the other lovely things that come along with bipolar disorder. If anyone is willing to lend me there ear that would be great. Thanks
I noticed that there were over 200 views of your message and no replies. You will find this is typical. I almost didn't reply but wanted you to know it's probably not because BP person did not want to reply, it's because BP kept them from doing so. I wanted to click back and read other topics so bad but you were in need of something and I wanted to give it.
Running away now!
Just kidding. Reply back if you have anymore questions, I am 33, female, and life has been a disaster for me also. It's extremely important that people in your life understand what you are dealing with or they will think you seriously are crazy. It's not a crazy thing, it's a real disability. Manage it well and it's awesome. I am on Zoloft, Lithium, and Ativan.
Hello Livingoncoffee. So am I - on coffee I mean. My daughter is the one who is BP. BP1 as they say. I will be here to listen and help if I can. We've had 11 years of learning how to cope. It's an on going process. To learn about BP and you is the best answer in treating it I believe.
i feel like you are describing me livingoncoffee. i am 21 years old and will be 22 in 2 months .. i understand how u feel and at this point i need to talk to someone who truely understands rather than someone who is only trying to understand, send me a private messsage and i will give you my email we can chat and hopefully help eachother out and maybe not feel so alone
Livingoncoffee, I am a 30 year old female who has had bipolar since i was in my late teens but was not dx until I was 26. I also have generlized anxity disorder and do not have any one to talk to about my problems other than my counsler. I think that haveing someone to listen is a good thing. I am more than willing to listen or give advise on what i have gone through for the last 15 years on and off medication and self medicating. My door is open. slz727
hey livingoncoffee...i am new to the site and saw your post. i know how you are feeling..i am 21 and ive been through quite afew of the same things you went through. i have been bp my whole life but my parents never took me to the doctor or took it seriously how i was feeling so it just got overlooked and well, got worse and worse. now i am in counseling and on meds but it is still a daily struggle..and it will always be. i am married, but the bp has made maintaining a healthy marriage VERY VERY hard..anyhow tho if i was of any help and you wanna talk feel free. ill be checking back quite often...until next time...
I am not bp. My mother was, my husband is, my step daughter is. The doctors I have talked to say that there is not magic pill. However, once treated, there can be a good prognosis. It depends on the severity of the bi polar. Every one is different. Some people are so extreme, and who knows? Some are more treatable. I know that if lithium is working, for example, and the person goes off it (feels they don't need it and wants to feel the high of mania again), it is very hard to go back on lithium. It often does not work as a second time around. Then it is on to the many other possible meds, that may or may not work. So, always the advice to STAY on treatment .. if it is working .. do not just go off and try to go it alone. Anyway, bi polar does not go away. It is forever. I have also been told, that even medicated, a bi polar episode can occur. Because it changes somewhat, and stressors affect the person who is bi polar. So, yes, medication helps a lot for some, and yes .. there can still be episodes. It scares me ..and I did not want this to be true. Because I am afraid of the episodes. I never really let my guard down entirely .. because an episode with my husband is always so painful. But, he is on lithium and committed right now, and in this condition he is exactly the man I love. So, it is like loving anyone with an illness. I just get to decide if I can handle whatever is happening, and if I ever cannot .. then I have to cross that bridge when I get to it.
My beloved wife was diagnosed with bp two years ago. She experienced every year light hypomanic episodes since before our marriage (7yrs ago), but no one around us/her could think of a bp disorder with those symptoms. Because during those phases she was a very kind and angelic girl. One month ago, second episode of mania started again after one year. Although she was taking lithium, but it was on the lowest dosage in her blood. Very soon she denied her disorder and refused to go to her doctor. Eventually after 2 weeks she was hospitalized and took meds + 6 sessions of ECT. Now she is calm but still has her thought about divorce but her thoughts about my affair with other girls is deminishing. I think she is in a stage that needs someone to give her the direction and dare to accept again her illness and was hallucinating episode and help her to get out of her thoughts. Is that true? That person is not certainly me, because I was and maybe stiil am in her black list. What is the best approach to take for a person that is getting out of the manic episode?
I am not sure how to help a person who is exiting a hypo manic / manic stage. Everyone is different.
I know it is a fragile time. I know she probably feels like she is doing her best (even though you may wish it were more or better). I know there is no rushing her along. She does need a counsellor. However you choose to approach that topic, it must be gentle. Think of when you would suggest it, and choose your moment with care. You can suggest that it would be helpful to you? because you love her and want to understand how to be helpful. That may get her throught the door. You are right about you not being the one .. you cannot be her counsellor or her only support. I do not think she needs to hear these extra thoughts, becasue it will probably cause her to feel rejected more. But, between you and I and anyone who reads theses posts , it will exhaust you and ruin your marriage if you become her only support. It is too much/too hard and puts you in a position that demeans your role as her husband. All spouses are caretakers to an extent, but we need to be careful not to let that get out of hand. She has to take responsibility for her illness, to the extent that she can.
I am sorry it got worse for her. This is often what happens. I really fear it. But, I know it is not uncommon.
I hope you remember to take care of yourself, too. You need peace, time to think, rest and play. You must be strong, for yourself and for her. Keep exercising, going for walks on your own, writing things down, posting, and seeing a friend from time to time. Be with your friends in a neutral way, not always telling them this problem. You want to keep the friendships a place of peace and release. Maybe a counsellor will also help you? You can go with her from time to time, and that may also encourage her to keep going to get help. When you are well, it really does help her to be more well.
Find a person who really understands bi polar, though. Too many have their counselling sign on the door, and have no clue what it is really like. My husband sees a psychologist who specializes in this area. I have also talked to him, and he has been very helpful to me, too. I have also started an exercise program, and taking part of every weekend to myself. I am focussed on self care. I am committed to both of our health.
My husband has recently threatened to go off lithium and stop counselling. He says it when he is angry (bi polar acting out), and then he takes it all back. It makes me feel not trusting of his recovery, and tired, too. I tell him that lithium and counselling are required for this marraige to work. He doesn't like that. But, it is the truth and he is entitled to it. But, I will not say it when he is in the middle of his anger.
He is not physically abusive to me. His words hurt me. I am trying, too.
Post as much as you like, because I read every day.. I hope more people will also post and be helpful here ..
It has been 3 weeks since my wife treatmnet with ECT and later meds started. Among 4 other medicines, she is taking 12000mg of lithium carbonate everyday. Yesterday, her blood lith level was unblievably only 0.4. On the other hand, she still has those illusions and is talking about them. Knowing that this is her third manic episode in three years, is it normal to take such a long time without any significant change in her thoughts even after 3 weeks of taking those medicines?
, it will exhaust you and ruin your marriage if you become her only support. It is too much/too hard and puts you in a position that demeans your role as her husband. All spouses are caretakers to an extent, but we need to be careful not to let that get out of hand. She has to take responsibility for her illness, to the extent that she can. 
