Posted: Jun 18, 2008, 10:13 PM CST
mbcasey wrote:Hi Shelia...I have bipolar depression and will try to answer any questions you have. However, the illness is like snowflakes..it is different with every person. Things that have happened to me personally may not have happened to someone else with the same disease.
1.My illness has gotton worse over the years. I was diagnosed 30 years ago, and it has progressed in severity. Now the question about meds is very tricky. Some people have success with medication. Personally, I haven't found a medication that works for me. I have tried dozens, from Aventyl to xanax. But it is common for bipolar people to change meds or at least adjust dosages.
2.I don't think around the clock care will be necessary, unless the person becomes suicidal. Now there could be times when a person needs extra attention, and monitering if their illness (especially during a manic phase) gets out of control. But I don't think it would be around the clock treatment in most cases.
3.Just be friends and treat them as you always have. Be patient and try to be understanding, especially if they say something hurtful to you. Sometimes I say things I really do not mean, and I always ask forgiveness. But sometimes a person with bipolar do not realize they are being hurtful, so that is where the patience comes in.
4.Yes...some bipolars cannot live independent lives. Sometimes irrational thinking can get bipolars in trouble. During manic phases, I have heard people rolling up thousands of dollars of debt buying things they do not need. During very depressed stages, some people do things because of feelings of paranoia, or a feeling of loss. I would say most bipolars can live independent lives especially if they have found the right medication.
Any other questions, please feel free to ask...
you darling man....I know just how open and honest you are with this...and how much you try to assist otherss
I am not suffering from bipolar but have a few friends very dear to me who do....have read a lot of internet stuff...which is all pretty much the same...lots of info but no real insight....
a book i found very good reading is one called....An unquiet mind...written by Kaye.Jamieson Redfern who although a dr of phsyciatry is herself a bipolar sufferer I recommend reading this......
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