Bipolar

[MargeryFlower]

I am not sure where exactly to ask this but i was hoping that someone may be able to answer some of my questions. Of course i can ask google but i think someone who has bipolar or someone who has lived very close with it may be able to answer some questions.

 

What causes bipolar? Is it something you are born with or can it surface at any age in life?

 

Are behaviours like addictions and aggressive and irrational behavious the sort of things a person goes through?

 

How good does treatment with medication help? Can Bipolar be cured?

 

I would really appreciate if anybody would share experiences or is able to answer my questions.

 

TIA

[OwMyEyeball]

I'm hesitant to answer the questions since I haven't researched bipolar disorder extensively.

 

This link to the National Institute of Mental Health website offers a detailed yet digestible summary of bipolar disorder.

 

One of my childhood best friends has the disorder. He's now a successful lawyer on the international environmental law scene. That wouldn't be possible without the cocktail of medications he takes daily to keep his otherwise brilliant mind in check.

 

My understanding is that bipolar disorder has no "cure" and those properly diagnosed with it will do themselves and their loved ones a tremendous service by sticking to a stable treatment regimen.

 

Why the curiosity in bipolar disorder if you don't mind my asking?

[MargeryFlower]

Why the curiosity in bipolar disorder if you don't mind my asking?

 

A very good friend of mine has been going through counceling and got told today that they think he may be bipolar. He is freaking out as he is leaving the military and wanted to join the police force. He is at a loss as he is a very smart guy and sees this as a something that will stop him from ever having a good paying job that he enjoys.

[OwMyEyeball]

When properly diagnosed it's a treatable condition.

 

If I were him I'd get a second opinion from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Given that this is a lifelong condition, best to make sure the diagnosis is correct before starting treatment.

[Downtown]

Margery, I agree with everything OME told you. Your friend should be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist (not by a general doctor). A psychologist will refer him to a psychiatrist (for medication) if he determines that bipolar is the problem. Bipolar varies greatly in severity and frequency among individuals. Hence, if your friend has it, an important issue is whether he has bipolar-1 (which includes serious manic periods) or bipolar-2 (which typically is less serious because the mania is far more mild).

 

Although there is no cure at this time, about 80% of bipolar sufferers can be treated very successfully with medication because the disorder is believed to arise from changes in body chemistry. The onset is usually at ages 18 to 30, with the mean age of onset being 25. My adult foster son has bipolar-1.

[MargeryFlower]

Thank you for the replys. He said that his counselor was sending him to a psyciatrist to get evaluated and stuff.

 

He is so worried about his future. I have tried looking online to see what people can do career wise..i honestly don't know what to tell him. All i could say was that it is important he gets evaluated and on medication and then he needs to start taking steps towards his future.

[carhill]

OP, you'll find excellent online resources as well as good in-person resources at most university mental health/psychology departments.

 

My one interaction with a similar case, a male who was diagnosed BP2 and medicated (whenever he took his meds) was he was fired from a prison guard job (uncommon in Nevada apparently) and ended up driving a OTR tractor/trailer until he died at age 50 from a heart attack on the road. He was the only person I ever have been around on a regular basis where I felt I should be armed. When he was medicated, he was one of the kindest and most loving people one could meet. Off-meds and manic, watch out and, since I knew he had a LEO background and a substantial weapons cache, I took nothing for granted.

 

All that said, it seemed like his vacillations mitigated after getting married a few years ago. He was a lot more wild and unpredictable between wives (I think that one was his third). He was an attractive guy and rarely lacked for female company but the stability of a marriage seemed to help the bi-polar.

 

What your friend has isn't uncommon, presuming he's been professionally diagnosed by specialists in that field of mental health, and can be treated but IMO it's a lifelong thing. Without treatment and/or counseling (preferably both) it's a real tough row to hoe for both the patient and their loved ones, not to mention employers generally not tolerating BP behavioral sets. As a friend, support and focus on continuing treatment. Good luck!

[RoseHeart]

I have Bipolar disorder. Mine is largely caused by genetics. All the women on my mother's side have either Bipolar or depression. So Bipolar can be caused by genetics but it can also be caused simply by environmental factors. I don't think there's a specific reason why it happens. It's the same as why it's difficult to say how some people get bad chronic depression while others manage it. My best guess is that it's caused by a mixture of factors unless you're dealing with a case like mine where it's genetics. I'm surethat it's something that can surface and that you're not necessarily born with. I've heard too many stories now of people with BPD that sound like it was something that developed over time.

 

Addictions and aggressive/irrational behaviors is very common for someone who is not treated that has BPD. When I'm not on my medication I get a lot "highs" that lead me to do things without thinking and makes me very irrational as well as lead me to risky behavior. I myself get very promiscuous when not on medication and it started influencing me badly. When I get lows they are very low and results in also very irrational behavior that led me contemplate suicide many times and one failed attempt. However the nature of my BPD (you get different types) makes me more prone to getting "highs" than "low's". There are other forms where it's switched around.

 

Medication helps A LOT. It literally made me normal again and I now never get any of these scary episodes where I act irrational or do risky things. I'm on a mood stabilizer called Epitec and it works great for me. I was lucky enough to get it right first time around with my psychiatrist. Sometimes you have to try various different medications and dosages but when you get the right fit, it definitely helps your daily life and can make you normal. You're not exactly "cured" as you will still experience the problem when you don't take your meds but as as long as you do, you'll be more in control.

 

I can vouch for this because I went off my meds this year at the start for a few months (BIG MISTAKE. I was warned against it but silly me didn't listen) and at first I was fine but then after 4 months I started getting the same episodes again where I'd go back to my previous bad behavior. I started making bad choices and before I knew it I was back to square one. I went on my meds again and then after a while I was again back to normal.

 

My best advice for anyone who suspects they have BPD is to get professional help! It will make you okay again and it really does help. Therapy is also good for someone as a secondary aid. I still see a therapist every 2 weeks as extra help and it's very useful too. It's not a "must" but obviously there will still be difficult times even with your meds, so then the extra help is great.

[HereAndThenGone]

I have Bipolar disorder. Mine is largely caused by genetics. All the women on my mother's side have either Bipolar or depression. So Bipolar can be caused by genetics but it can also be caused simply by environmental factors. I don't think there's a specific reason why it happens. It's the same as why it's difficult to say how some people get bad chronic depression while others manage it. My best guess is that it's caused by a mixture of factors unless you're dealing with a case like mine where it's genetics. I'm surethat it's something that can surface and that you're not necessarily born with. I've heard too many stories now of people with BPD that sound like it was something that developed over time.

 

Addictions and aggressive/irrational behaviors is very common for someone who is not treated that has BPD. When I'm not on my medication I get a lot "highs" that lead me to do things without thinking and makes me very irrational as well as lead me to risky behavior. I myself get very promiscuous when not on medication and it started influencing me badly. When I get lows they are very low and results in also very irrational behavior that led me contemplate suicide many times and one failed attempt. However the nature of my BPD (you get different types) makes me more prone to getting "highs" than "low's". There are other forms where it's switched around.

 

Medication helps A LOT. It literally made me normal again and I now never get any of these scary episodes where I act irrational or do risky things. I'm on a mood stabilizer called Epitec and it works great for me. I was lucky enough to get it right first time around with my psychiatrist. Sometimes you have to try various different medications and dosages but when you get the right fit, it definitely helps your daily life and can make you normal. You're not exactly "cured" as you will still experience the problem when you don't take your meds but as as long as you do, you'll be more in control.

 

I can vouch for this because I went off my meds this year at the start for a few months (BIG MISTAKE. I was warned against it but silly me didn't listen) and at first I was fine but then after 4 months I started getting the same episodes again where I'd go back to my previous bad behavior. I started making bad choices and before I knew it I was back to square one. I went on my meds again and then after a while I was again back to normal.

 

My best advice for anyone who suspects they have BPD is to get professional help! It will make you okay again and it really does help. Therapy is also good for someone as a secondary aid. I still see a therapist every 2 weeks as extra help and it's very useful too. It's not a "must" but obviously there will still be difficult times even with your meds, so then the extra help is great.

 

RoseHeart, would you mind telling us what medications you take?

I have a doctors appointment later and I wanted to ask for an antidepressant.

I'm thinking Wellbutrin. I am going to see what he says.

Just would like to know what medications you've had success on.