Anyone have experience with bipolar disorder?

15 years ago

DD (16 y/o) has an appt week after next to discuss possible medical problems. She has been increasingly "difficult" but her therapist thinks bipolar is something we need to talk to the Dr. about.

Any thoughts?

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Comments (20)

petaloid
15 years ago
A relative of mine has bipolar disorder. Medication supported by counseling can help a lot.
jeaninwa
15 years ago
They thought my DH was bipolar. Turned out after more than 10 years of misdiagnosis that he had schizo affective disorder. It was a living hell. He would relapse every fall, even on meds. I couldn't stay any longer. That was over 5 years ago that I left, after 26 years of marriage
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Pathological Liar A pathological liar is usually defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. Pathological lying is often viewed as coping mechanism developed in early childhood and it is often associated with some other type of mental health disorder. A pathological liar is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused - it is done to get one's way). Pathological liars have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. A pathological liar often comes across as being manipulative, cunning and self-centered. Compulsive Liar A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. 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Also, the individual must be age 18 or older as well as have a documented history of a conduct disorder before the age of 15.[1] People having antisocial personality disorder are sometimes referred to as "sociopaths" and "psychopaths".[2] Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum. Data from the United States on lifetime prevalence vary but indicate a rate of around 1 percent for Bipolar I, 0.5 to 1 percent for Bipolar II or cyclothymia, and between 2 and 5 percent for subthreshold cases meeting some but not all criteria. The onset of full symptoms generally occurs in late adolescence or young adulthood. Diagnosis is based on the person's self-reported experiences, as well as observed behavior. Episodes of abnormality are associated with distress and disruption, and an elevated risk of suicide, especially during depressive episodes. In some cases it can be a devastating long-lasting disorder. In some cases, however, it has been associated with creativity, goal striving and positive achievements. Many factors contribute to the development of bipolar disorder, including genetics, life experiences and neural and psychological processes. Bipolar disorder is often treated with anti-manic, and sometimes other, psychiatric drugs. Psychotherapy may have an important role, as well as personal recovery work. Depending on the jurisdiction, in serious cases in which there is a risk of harm to oneself or others involuntary commitment may be used; these cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behaviour or depressive episodes with suicidal ideation. There are widespread problems with social stigma, stereotypes and prejudice against individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Also called manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, the current term is of fairly recent origin and refers to the cycling between high and low episodes (poles). 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It's like she's perfecting the art of lying instead of ever coming clean. That's their story & they are sticking to it, even if the facts of the story change or don't make sense to anyone but them.
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I wrote many more words when I posted last night on this thread, but deleted most of it. I DO see both sides of this discussion, having an autistic grandson and a bipolar son. It is hard for an "outsider" to see a child/sibling being disturbed by the behaviors of those who suffer from some disorders...ie: autism, bi-polar outbursts or rages. I am "disturbed" by them, just as I am disturbed by seizures that epileptics have or heart attack victims have. Those disturbing scenes are opportunities to learn how to deal with unusual disorders. I doubt I will ever forget my first encounter with an epileptic event... or my grandsons' rages during his early years when we didn't know what his disorder was. It IS profoundly scary to children and adults alike....but we are a more enlightened society for discovering that everyone is not the same. Some brains are wired differently and learning to be tolerant of those differences, starting in those "mainstreamed" environments. Maybe the "bullies" of the world need to have it pointed out to them that only a by a quirk of nature they are not the one with the disorder. "But for the grace of GOD go I". BTW, those clips seen on TV are real, but they are "worst case" clips where different therapies and interventions haven't worked. Many more stories need to be told of the successful lives that have been saved by education, tolerance, medicine and all the things that can be done to give everyone a chance to live healthy lives. Nanny
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autumnluvr
15 years ago
I work in the Mental Health field as a Nurse, we have several Residents in our care home w/bipolar. I notice a lot of mood swings. Of course at 16 it would be hard to tell if its really bipolar or just being a teenager. Getting to the Dr and having a Therapist are a good start. My advice is to take care of yourself also :) - I have a son with a mental illness and it is emotinally drainging.
liz
15 years ago
My 17 year old son was diagnosed in Sept after much testing. we spent most of the summer with a physcologist and he finally sent us to a Dr cause he couldn't prescribe meds...he's also ADD...the meds have worked wonders...the Dr visits are helping immensely!!...I have mucho empathy for you cause I know my life has been a living HE** for the last few years...Keep us posted!! I can certainly relate of not being able to tell if it was just being a teenager or an actual illness...It's a terrible stigma to be diagnosed with and I really don't know what the future will bring...but for now...things are sure better around here...
sheilajoyce_gw
15 years ago
Good friend of mine developed it with post partum depression being the initial diagnosis. Neice, several friends/acquaintences' kids have had it. It seems to be an illness of young adults.

In friend's case, lithium turned out to be the miracle drug. Lots of famous people have struggled with this illness too--Tony Orlando comes to mind right away (Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree). I assume Brittany has it too, or something close to it.
wildchild
15 years ago
DH is bipolar. He wasn't diagnosed until late middle age. Had he been diagnosed years ago his life could have been so much better.

Bipolar seems to run n families. Once you learn about it you start to recognize it in others.

If your DD is diagnosed as BP I highly recommend Anne Sheffield's books. Although the site and books are titled depression they are mostly about bipolar disorder. I've posted a link below.

Also if you Google NAMI you will be taken to it's website. It's the National Alliance for Mental Illness.There are several resources for both those suffering from mental illnesses and their family and friends. NAMI has support groups in almost every major town or city. They are the strongest advocates for removing the stigma of mental illness.

There are many many ways to treat bipolar before resorting to Lithium. My DH takes Lexapro and Zyprexa for example. He is doing quite well on that combination.

The absolute worst thing you can do when one is bipolar is to put them on antidepressants alone. That is what can send them in to mania or a psychotic episode.

My heart goes out to you and your DD. Hopefully the right diagnosis,combination of meds and therapy will allow her a happy stable life. It won't be perfect but nothing really ever is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Depression Fallout
janemarie5
15 years ago
My DD (16 now) has never formally given that diagnosis but we have gone thru hell and back as I am sure everyone here and I totally sympathize..I am probably going to ramble alot here at my story/research was long (as everyone else here) and I hope I can help. DD was always difficult, began to do more and more reckless things, kept taking her to therapist, one insisted she was depressed, I really didn't think that was the case, put her on antidepressent (she had tried those before and never worked anyways) but after 2 weeks on this one basically had a manic episode (left the house in the middle of the night twice during one week to find her bed empty in the a.m.) 2 years ago were truly the darkest time in my life, I had no idea what I was going to do with her. I was desperate to figure this out, I took her to a Naturalpath Dr, at the time time she went on Lamictal that another very kind/patient NP prescriped. The Naturalpath ran blood work (insurance paid for) DD cortisol was thru the roof, cholesterol was high...some of this is irrelevant, I know.. But we then moved forward with Urine Testing, it was called Organix, Urine Organic Acid testing. It cost me about $300.00 but the best decision ever. It showed many things were off, no serotonin, no gluthione in her system... so she uses alot of supplements. Fish oil is also a huge addition to the mix. The current dr that my daughter sees says that he recommends 2 fish oil a day to every single patient (must be molecularly distilled).. I am really passionate about this as I feel that often times it's just not a medication and I hate the label of bipolar as so often there are many deficiencies in the body that need to be recognized. I have to run out now but I would be more than happy to give you more information or email me... Good luck..
daisyinga
15 years ago
I know two people who have been diagnosed with it. One is a woman about my age or a little older, who takes lithium. She does absolutely fine, very stable and happy home life. She began having some other health issues in her life and the doctors adjusted her dosage and she had an episode, but other than that time she is fine.

Another person I know is a young woman who doesn't take her medicine and she doesn't do well at all.

I hope all goes well with your daughter.
lucinda_grow
15 years ago
As a member of the health care field i can tell you the BP diagnosis is one of the most popular diagnosis today. Pay special attention to janemarie 5's reply.
izzie
15 years ago
There is a web site I look at occationally, healthboards.com. It has bi-polar as one of their many discussions boards. It is how ever for people with the disorder but it may give you in sight about the disorder and how they are dealing with it.
sylviatexas1
15 years ago
Try the book "Manic" by Terri Cheney (think that's the spelling).

She has bi-polar disorder, & she wrote about her own experiences & feelings & perceptions.

It's breathtaking.
janemarie5
15 years ago
Just popped back in...wanted to finish some thoughts. Not sure if you are going to see her pediatrician or psychiatrist based on your "dr" reference but I would call her regular doctor to start and request a full blood work up including B12, Vitamin D, Cortisol in addition to all the other things that they run at an annual exam and I would not start medication until you know all of that is OK. I would find a local dr that participates in the Metametrix and I think you can use the site to find a dr..and I would pursue this also. http://www.metametrix.com/content/Home.

I am not opposed to medications at all BUT I have found drs to be extremely careless at dispensing medication before they know that a patients body is completely balanced in other areas. And you as her advocate have to push for these other areas or find a dr that thinks the same way. I have had lots of therapist/drs give her antidepressants, and not alot of people in the mental health field viewed it like I did. I actually had an appt with a psychiatrist and while talking she said she had never heard of fish oil for people with mood disorder. I was shocked. If you google "fish oil bipolar" you will find thousands of great articles.. obviously that dr was not a good fit for us.

My daughter maintains with a very small dosage of Lamictal and we follow up with this dr (He is a DO) every 2 months (he is the one that tells everyone of his patients to take fish oil) She hasn't followed up with her Naturpath dr in awhile but we continue to take all the supplements that my daughter was deemed deficient (5HPT for her serotonin). My daughter takes glutathione every day also which alot of bipolar patients are deficient in.... along with many other supplements. You can find alot of information on the web before you take her.

My daughter still is difficult but her life has turned around immensely and I honestly do not know what she would be doing right now at 16 without intervention. Last year she wrote a nice paper for a class in school, and she wrote that she was thankful that I never gave up on her and wouldn't stop until we found out what was wrong with her. It is something I will keep forever. She still struggles and i will always worry about her but I can at least sleep at night...
jannie
15 years ago
Actress Patty Duke wrote two books about her own life and struggle with Bipolar Disorder. I can't recall the exact names, but my library had both. Fascinating woman.
better2boutside
15 years ago
My SS is ADD/ODD (oppositional defiance disorder) Living with him has certainly been a challenge (understatement). There is a board www.conductdisorders.com that supports parents. There is alot of information there- Recommend you should pop in and check it out.
mariend
15 years ago
Also some of the symphtons connected with bipolar/depression is connected where a person lives. I never had anything like that until I moved to ND. In the Northern tier area and this includes parts of Canada, where it gets dark so early and even with the sun out many people feel this in the fall, winter and early spring. I especially noticed it last winter when we had to stay all winter here--not bad but it was annoying. It has something to do with sunlight/rays of the sun/ amount of light and even the pressure connected with weather.
Good luck
Pooh Bear
15 years ago
I am bi-polar. It is well controlled with medicine.
I also have Asperger's Syndrom and an anxiety disorder.
The AS doesn't bother me. The anxiety can be a problem.
But my meds for bi-polar HAVE to be taken regularly.
The 'brain vitamins' I take are Zoloft and Xanax.

Pooh Bear
aprilflower
15 years ago
(((Moonie and daughter)))

My DS (14y) and spouse are both BiPolar.

DS has had an extremely long and rough road with it, as I've shared here before, but I think we're finally starting to see a turn-around. He's finally on the right medication and dose, and has "graduated" from therapy (for now...)and I've actually seen, with my own eyes, him use some of the various tools he's been taught in those many years of therapy.

I will say with absolute certainty that in my battle-worn opinion therapy with a good psychologist/therapist is a Must, followed closely by a good psychiatrist for when/if meds need to be involved.

I will be the first to say that medications have truly saved my son's life, but they also have taken precious years away from us when he was over-medicated.

A lot of other medical and psychiatric conditions can mimic BP Disorder, so I also echo what everyone else has said about a thorough medical check-up to rule out anything and everything else first.

"The BiPolar Child" and "BiPolar for Dummies" are my 2 favorite general info books, and as others have suggested, your local NAMI chapter is another great resource for info and support.

Moonie, I'm sending you and your daughter healing and supportive thoughts, please keep us posted, and please feel free (you or anyone else) to email me thru my page if you'd like. I don't have many answers, but we can commiserate and support each other when need be :-)

april
moonie_57 (8 NC)
Original Author
15 years ago
Just wanted to let you guys know that I have read each and every response and will be back with more questions. Right now we are heading to the airport to pick up my sister. Haven't seen her in 2 years! But, I'm sure I'll spend the day pondering over your responses in my mind.

Thanks!
junkyardgirl
15 years ago
BiPolar is the "cool" disorder right now, so please be careful before you let them put her on any medication. They put my son on meds for bipolar (which he isn't), and it made him totally psychotic for awhile. He got better when he got off the meds.

There are way too many kids being diagnosed with bipolar, when it's actually a pretty rare disorder. Teenagers are difficult. Their hormones are running amok, causing wild mood swings. Teachers want them medicated to make THEIR jobs easier, not necessarily to help the child.

I had four doctors saying my son did not need meds for ADHD or bipolar, but he school refused to accept him back if I didn't medicate him. He hates me for that to this day. As soon as he turned 18, he stopped taking the meds, and still doesn't take them. Not that he's a totally normal young man, but we don't know what the long term side effects will be for him taking all those meds from the time he was 8, because the school system forced him to.
junkyardgirl
15 years ago
Just want to add that if I had it to do over, I wouldn't have medicated my son. I would have taken him out of school and taught him at home.

Anyone have experience with bipolar disorder?

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moonie_57 (8 NC)
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Anyone have experience with bipolar disorder?

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