Spring Brings Maladies

Allergies, spring storms, Mother's Day, the end of school, the cost of living...these are all just normal cycles to which we adjust as they come and go. But for the bipolar personality, it can be a time of stress, a trigger for depression. Will we ever get through this election? Promises made appear to be empty thoughts projected on us daily when we know it will take more time than we are willing to wait for our world to improve. Just recently, these burdens have brought more patients to doctors' offices for relief, and not just for allergies. Anti-depressant drug sales have risen steadily. Home foreclosures alone are alarming to those of us watching the economy. But can you imagine how this wears on those with bipolar. My daughter recently had her daily dose of lithium increased. Most of us know the sky isn't falling, but others feel the pressure of life turning on them. Take time to pass on a loving word to those having difficulty coping with day-to-day pressures of life. Let them know their worth and that their role is important to the whole. Stay in touch.

Be a special friend to loved ones who are bipolar

All too often, those with problems are not aware of them. A friend can help another by gently pointing out examples of illnesses of others to help one who mimics those examples. Bipolar illness is difficult to understand, even for the most educated. It is even more difficult to accept that there is an affliction. Medication is necessary for all forms of bipolar. If you think not, take note of those who want to throw up their hands and try to make it without. Within days, symptoms reappear and triggers set off episodes. Be a good friend. Don't be embarrased to call changes of behavior to another's attention. Bipolars don't realize the changes as they happen. It is only when they once again face the haze that they know the darkness is about to settle around them. By then, the medication regimen must begin anew.

Be a special friend to loves ones who need our compassion and understanding. I don't have all the answers, but can most assuredly find those who do.

Bipolar comments welcomed

It's been a while, but things are moving on. Since the last post, my daughter's response to Lithium has been very positive. There have been no noticeable side effects, but she still takes one day at a time. Manic episodes have all but subsided, and her depressive states have lessened. Her visits with her new therapist are positive! She is finally opening up to someone other than Mom. She still isn't working, but I believe that is truly on the horizon. Disability insurance helps, but without other insurance, the financial strain is continuous.

Meanwhile, her new relationship is on shaky ground because he, too, has issues. I think her suitcases have come out of the closet several times, but she is determined to stick it out. This is a side effect of bipolar. Once a new beginning has taken place, it's difficult to think about another one. However, that could be said about any of us. There are several who have her on their prayer lists. She is finding her way, one day at a time.

I talked with a woman a short while ago who is really struggling with bipolar plus physical problems. She had quit taking her bipolar meds because she said they weren't helping. Rapid cycling was the result. Answer...find the ones that do. We've been through three different prescriptions before one began to indicate that there was hope. Change doctors if necessary. With all the new medications for this illness, there is help.

How about you? How are you doing?

BIPOLAR EXPERIENCES REQUESTED FOR PUBLICATION

Are you or a loved one bipolar? In writing my latest manuscript The Other Side of Midnight, I feel it is necessary to include others' feelings and experiences in coping with this illness. Readers are interested in the topic and want more than clinical references when studying this malady. First-hand accounts from those on the other side will be as beneficial to the book in addition to what has been experienced in my personal life. Please feel free to open your heart to others and allow them to better understand how bipolars face various issues and survive successfully in this world of "perfection." Any information posted by you serves as your automatic permission to be used in my publication. Of course, only first names or initials will be used as identification. Feel free to contact me at the blog address if you have questions or concerns about personal comments. Any story is an inspiration to others. With 5.7 million Americans affected with bipolar illness, there should be much to share with those seeking answers and understanding.

Bipolar and Lithium

A question has been posed as to the treatment of bipolar with Lithium. If you are presently taking or have taken this drug for the disorder, please post your comments for those who are seeking answers. Insight to any prescribed medication is necessary for successful treatment of this illness. The list continues to grow as scientists are constantly moving forward to create compounds for all types of personal chemical make-ups. Thank you for your input.

BIPOLAR AND SUICIDE

One of the most serious side effects of this illness is suicide. Advice given to others is that suicide is never an option. Think not? Statistics indicate that a suicide occurs every 17 minutes in America alone. Calculate that for a 24-hour period. Any type of bipolar personality can come to this state whether it be unipolar, bipolar I, bipolar II, manic, or schizophrenic caused by various triggers or mood swings. One of the triggers could be the wrong medication. An author states that individuals learning to deal with this illness, especially in the early stages, find themselves in a "sinkhole of despair" and believe the only out is suicide. If you are bipolar or a friend or relative of one with this disorder, it is imperative that help be sought immediately. Dialing 911 isn't nearly as difficult as planning a funeral. Each individual has a purpose in this life. It is so important that each of us turn to those we love for strength and reach beyond the abyss, escaping that deep hole threatening our peace and well being. Two excellent sources to calm our thoughts and realize that we are not alone are Kay R. Jamison's book, An Unquiet Mind, and Viktor Frankl's infamous Man's Search for Meaning. Excerpts can be found online. All should recognize signs of suicide which can be found at Bipolarhelp.com. or Bipolar.com.We are here for all of those who feel that life no longer offers hope. It really does. I've been there.

What are you NOT being told about depression?

After seeing a TV ad several times, I finally went online to http://YourTimeForChange.com. There are several pages of information, and then you come to "Know the Options." All discussion points in the same direction...psychotherapy. Nowhere does it mention bipolar, but the questions on the available Depression Symptoms Checklist are the same as those for bipolar indicators. YourTimeForChange text explains that "depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance." The same is true for bipolars. It is recommended by the site's author that depression should be controlled with a medical regimen for a trial period. The question remains...what is wrong if there is no relief from medication after four to eight weeks? An experienced bipolar physician should not require this trial period. The usual result is that the patient continues the medication, believing it is helping to relieve at least some depression. Hopefully, it does, but for how long if discontinued? Click the site's link to Resources. All are connected to mental health. If one is depressed, certainly a doctor's advice should be sought immediately. If after the two month trial period the medication is still required to be able to get through the day, other options for another diagnosis should be considered. If put off, months ultimately turn into years. Then, the true condition presents itself, and lost time is never regained. Complete the Depression Symptoms Checklist and have it evaluated online. By all means, pay attention to the results. Definitely, if there is a relative or friend who would benefit from this checklist, send it on. Also, as mentioned in a previous post, the Mood Questionnaire is beneficial (www.bipolarhelpcenter.com). Remember that questionnaires are only indicators to provide information for a physician. Self-diagnosis, which often times results in self-medicating, could compound the problem. I have seen the results in my family, and they aren't positive. It is admirable that the media is addressing this issue because it has ballooned in today's stressful society. However, it is up to the individual affected to follow through and be certain that all symptoms are being considered for a viable diagnosis.

Comments on any topic concerning this illness are welcomed.