Stages of Bi-Polar??

[GG_81]

Ok my mom has been bi-polar for a very long time before I was born (I'm 22)
my mom is in her 50's. Her mental illness has been the root problem for
many relationships that are broken in her life I haven't even seen her since I was
about 14 I have a ton of issues with her but what does this illness do to a person
as they get older???
I hear my mom is getting all delusional and doing weird things.... about 2weeks ago she
just got put in the psych ward by her case manager. I'm wondering how long she can go
living by herself??? because im afarid she'll get the wrong person T'd off and they will hurt her??? her case manager won't tell me anything because of confidentiality ****... I don't know what to do??

 

[maholicke424]

My mom isn't in those worse stages yet, and her medication controls most of it. The only thing for people in these stages of Bi-polar is to make sure that they take thier medication or have them somewhere that they can be watched and reminded to take thier medication. Someone with Bi-polar, as the disease reaches climaxes, is something very serious that needs a lot of attention, especially from those who care. I hope this helps somewhat and I am sorry to hear about this all. You will be in my prayers and God Bless You.

 

[Shalia]

Ok my mom has been bi-polar for a very long time before I was born (I'm 22)
my mom is in her 50's. Her mental illness has been the root problem for
many relationships that are broken in her life I haven't even seen her since I was
about 14 I have a ton of issues with her but what does this illness do to a person
as they get older???
I hear my mom is getting all delusional and doing weird things.... about 2weeks ago she
just got put in the psych ward by her case manager. I'm wondering how long she can go
living by herself??? because im afarid she'll get the wrong person T'd off and they will hurt her??? her case manager won't tell me anything because of confidentiality ****... I don't know what to do??

Most important thing in my mind would be to remind her you love her, and try and convince her to take her meds. However, if she's already delusional, she may have convinced herself she doesn't need them. It's easy to do, I did it to myself. I have to regularly fight myself to take them, actually.

I've been in the hospital three times. I was never hurt. There were ladies well over their 50's there and they were all treated exceptionally well, and with great dignity and respect. I'd feel relatively safe about the care she's receiving if she's in a hospital. My hospital stays were very productive and positive experiences, and in two cases likely saved my life. Well, all three probably. The one I was so manic and psychotic who knows what I would have done.

But I'd stress trying to get your mom to take her meds. I'd try to get her to tell you what she's ON. A lot of times, older beepers are only on lithium, and there are so many BETTER options out there now that it's a shame to see that.

Shalia

 

[Shalia]

My mom isn't in those worse stages yet, and her medication controls most of it. The only thing for people in these stages of Bi-polar is to make sure that they take thier medication or have them somewhere that they can be watched and reminded to take thier medication. Someone with Bi-polar, as the disease reaches climaxes, is something very serious that needs a lot of attention, especially from those who care. I hope this helps somewhat and I am sorry to hear about this all. You will be in my prayers and God Bless You.

And that's one of the most frustrating aspects, cause if there's nothing that makes me more angry than when I'm manic it's people telling me to slow down and pop a Zyprexa. Ack. Or being reminded to take my meds, even though I'd forget every darn day if I weren't reminded. It makes me feel like a baby, but I wouldn't remember.

These drugs make me stupid, I swear. But yes, it takes people who care to remind us with love and care enough to insist. My husband has had to flat out insist a few times when I've wanted to flush them all.

Shalia

 

[I'ddie4him]

And that's one of the most frustrating aspects, cause if there's nothing that makes me more angry than when I'm manic it's people telling me to slow down and pop a Zyprexa. Ack. Or being reminded to take my meds, even though I'd forget every darn day if I weren't reminded. It makes me feel like a baby, but I wouldn't remember.

These drugs make me stupid, I swear. But yes, it takes people who care to remind us with love and care enough to insist. My husband has had to flat out insist a few times when I've wanted to flush them all.

Shalia

My wife does the same thing to me on a daily basis(insert rolleyes smiley here) and I do get a bit annoyed when she asks me, But, I take em and leave it at that. As for forgetting ?? I usually have at least a 4 or 5 day supply of Lith left at the end of the month from a 30 day supply. So, I do forget at times and I feel like a little kid when she says Honey, Did you take your meds today ?? RARRR!!! I feel better than if I didn't take anything at all tho. I have threatened to flush mine many times too. But, I don't want to go back to the roller coaster ride again. Theres no way I couldn't handle it.

 

[GG_81]

Thank you all for the responses

 

[Shalia]

My wife does the same thing to me on a daily basis(insert rolleyes smiley here) and I do get a bit annoyed when she asks me, But, I take em and leave it at that. As for forgetting ?? I usually have at least a 4 or 5 day supply of Lith left at the end of the month from a 30 day supply. So, I do forget at times and I feel like a little kid when she says Honey, Did you take your meds today ?? RARRR!!! I feel better than if I didn't take anything at all tho. I have threatened to flush mine many times too. But, I don't want to go back to the roller coaster ride again. Theres no way I couldn't handle it.

Oh, if I had a dollar for every time I've wanted to flush the darn things!!!

But I don't think my septic system could handle the pharmacopia I have in my darn medicine cabinet.

Look on the bright side of forgetting a few days. When you forget to get your refill on time <if you're anything like me> you're still covered!! *giggle*

Shalia

 

[Johanna73]

I go throw days where I don't want to take my med's, or when I think I don't need them... I have high's and lows, so I know where your mom is coming from... The best thing I can tell you, is make sure you tell her that you love her, and make sure that she takes her med's.... For the rest leave it up to god....

Johanna

 

[Shalia]

Seriously, my husband has to beg me to take mine. I'm terrible. I want to throw them away so often...

And I play pharmacist. Does anyone else do that? Start messing w/ their own drugs and amounts of drugs they take and stuff? I do that all the time... I get myself in deep trouble.

 

[im1sweetlilangel]

I was wondering what causes Bi polar? Does is run in your family or can you develope it. What exactly is Bi polar, because i think someone i love has it.

 

[bluejeans]

Yes,could someone tell us what bi-polar is and it's symptoms?
My Brother has it and I think my Mother does too,but she won't
get checked for it. Please pray for my Mother. She has suffered
depression all of her life,and she's getting worse now.
She takes her husbands nerve pills and I think she could O.D. if
someone doesn't help her. Please pray for my Mother. Her name is
Lu.

 

[Untamed Fire]

Here is some information on Bipolar disorder from the National Institutes of Health's mental health web pages:


Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

More than 2 million American adults, or about 1 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year, have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.

"Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it; an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide."

"I am fortunate that I have not died from my illness, fortunate in having received the best medical care available, and fortunate in having the friends, colleagues, and family that I do."

--Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., An Unquiet Mind, 1995, p. 6.
(Reprinted with permission from Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc.)​

What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, can't concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.

Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

• Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed,
  including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

Sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.

It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in bipolar disorder as a spectrum or continuous range. At one end is severe depression, above which is moderate depression and then mild low mood, which many people call "the blues" when it is short-lived but is termed "dysthymia" when it is chronic. Then there is normal or balanced mood, above which comes hypomania (mild to moderate mania), and then severe mania.

(See the chart here -- I don't have enough posts yet to post images, sorry)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/imagegallery/publicat/scale.gif

In some people, however, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in what is called a mixed bipolar state. Symptoms of a mixed state often include agitation, trouble sleeping, significant change in appetite, psychosis, and suicidal thinking. A person may have a very sad, hopeless mood while at the same time feeling extremely energized.

Bipolar disorder may appear to be a problem other than mental illness—for instance, alcohol or drug abuse, poor school or work performance, or strained interpersonal relationships. Such problems in fact may be signs of an underlying mood disorder.

--------------
I frequently experience the mixed state myself lately. I'm not officially diagnosed as I do not trust the mental health system nor do I accept their labels of delusion upon things they are incapable of comprehending. Nevertheless I find the above description to be frighteningly accurate of my own experience, particularly with regard to psychotic level episodes. I have not experienced ANY "normal" or "in between" mood for so long I have no concept of what that is. I've been like this all my life, I think. If I ever do decide to seek the mental health system it will probably be because I am unable to concentrate on anything or to "make" myself do anything -- I am completely lacking in any ability to cause myself to do something I do not want to do even if intellectually and rationally I can see that it needs to be done. This makes trying to transition to a Christian lifestyle out of 20 years of a Satanic one very difficult, to say the least. Well enough about me, hope the symptoms and all were helpful to others.

 

[Untamed Fire]

The above is just an excerpt from a larger publication. You may read the publication in full by going to this link:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm

There are additional resource materials here:

http://health.nih.gov/result.asp/74/16

and here:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/bipolarmenu.cfm