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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sam Grimes on March 12, 2003, at 17:12:24
My wife was diagnoed with bipolar in 1999 after a severe manic/psychotic episode. At the time she was given haldol to ease the psychosis but once she came back to reality she debated with us about what had really happened to her - a debate that grew into denial. Since then she has had one more moderate episode (last summer) and a mild episode this past December. She is having another mild episode now (or maybe the December one never went away but just eased up a bit). She refuses medication and denies that she has bipolar - attributing her troubles to spiritual causes.
Does anyone have experience with this sort of behaviour - any tips for dealing with it. Because her episodes were infrequent though severe ('88, '94, '99) her psychiatrist didn't recommend lithium or any constant medication. But the episodes seem to be coming more frequently, and perhaps now lithium or some other medication is appropriate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted by David Smith on March 12, 2003, at 23:29:38
In reply to Denial of Bipolar - frequency of episodes, posted by Sam Grimes on March 12, 2003, at 17:12:24
The understanding, the acceptance has to come from your wife. It may take a lifetime.
I suggest that you support her in the way she deems appropriate. If she wants you to go to church with her then do it. If she wants to be prayed over, find a shaman or priest. If she wants to participate in some new age ritual, by all means see that it is done safely and sanely.
My friend just prayed over me and I felt so good for days. Have you prayed with your wife? Have you blessed her?
Of course I still had to take my meds a few days later but I firmly believe taking control of the situation, making a life affirming choice, can be just a powerful as any pill.
Thank you for caring for one of our own.
dave
Posted by Ritch on March 12, 2003, at 23:33:23
In reply to Denial of Bipolar - frequency of episodes, posted by Sam Grimes on March 12, 2003, at 17:12:24
> My wife was diagnoed with bipolar in 1999 after a severe manic/psychotic episode. At the time she was given haldol to ease the psychosis but once she came back to reality she debated with us about what had really happened to her - a debate that grew into denial. Since then she has had one more moderate episode (last summer) and a mild episode this past December. She is having another mild episode now (or maybe the December one never went away but just eased up a bit). She refuses medication and denies that she has bipolar - attributing her troubles to spiritual causes.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this sort of behaviour - any tips for dealing with it. Because her episodes were infrequent though severe ('88, '94, '99) her psychiatrist didn't recommend lithium or any constant medication. But the episodes seem to be coming more frequently, and perhaps now lithium or some other medication is appropriate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.I have rapid-cycling chronic BPII which is very different from what your wife is suffering. I hope others will respond and help you out. If she is in denial of the bipolar it is going to be tough to get her to take medication on a maintenance basis. There is a poster here (Judy1) who is BPI and takes high-dose Depakote only when she gets manic spells. I hope she responds with a suggestion. From what I understand lithium is the treatment of choice for non-rapid cycling BPI with psychotic features with an antipsychotic added during acute episodes. Hope this helps some.
Posted by Bittersweet on March 13, 2003, at 4:28:56
In reply to Re: Denial of Bipolar - frequency of episodes » Sam Grimes, posted by Ritch on March 12, 2003, at 23:33:23
> I have rapid-cycling chronic BPII which is very different from what your wife is suffering. I hope others will respond and help you out. If she is in denial of the bipolar it is going to be tough to get her to take medication on a maintenance basis. There is a poster here (Judy1) who is BPI and takes high-dose Depakote only when she gets manic spells. I hope she responds with a suggestion. From what I understand lithium is the treatment of choice for non-rapid cycling BPI with psychotic features with an antipsychotic added during acute episodes. Hope this helps some.
* * * * * * *
I have been looking for answers as of late regarding BP. For years now I have ignored the symptoms, but now want to find relief.
Can you tell me, is it normal to have a manic episode in December? I mentioned my concerns to my family physician, stating that in Dec. I was very manic (unusual for me, I'm usually very low from Nov-March, have SAD) and he said I probably don't have bi-polar because mania doesn't happen that time of year(??). Your input would be greatly appreciated, thanks
{sorry, Sam, didn't meen to take over your thread or anything}
Posted by Ritch on March 13, 2003, at 8:02:03
In reply to Re: Bipolar rapid-cycling » Ritch, posted by Bittersweet on March 13, 2003, at 4:28:56
> I have been looking for answers as of late regarding BP. For years now I have ignored the symptoms, but now want to find relief.
>
> Can you tell me, is it normal to have a manic episode in December? I mentioned my concerns to my family physician, stating that in Dec. I was very manic (unusual for me, I'm usually very low from Nov-March, have SAD) and he said I probably don't have bi-polar because mania doesn't happen that time of year(??). Your input would be greatly appreciated, thanks
>
> {sorry, Sam, didn't meen to take over your thread or anything}I have seasonal recurrent depressions and have experienced unanticipated mood episodes before. Mania is mania. If you are experiencing it then that indicates a bipolar disorder of *some* form. Technically, if you only have manic symptoms when exposed to an antidepressant then it doesn't count, but that is controversial.
Posted by judy1 on March 13, 2003, at 10:59:18
In reply to Denial of Bipolar - frequency of episodes, posted by Sam Grimes on March 12, 2003, at 17:12:24
Hi,
Like Ritch already wrote- I also have bp1, but only take the heavy drugs during manic episodes. it took me forever (like 5 years of rapid cycling) before i accepted responsibility for my treatment). i have to emphasize that it was me, not my husband or family or doctors. it was like a door opened up and i saw the damage i was causing others. now i have a wonderful relationship with a pdoc, and often when i'm manic i'll e-mail silly poems and he will suggest i take depakote. if it gets too out of hand (psychotic), i'll add zyprexa. it took 3 years with this pdoc to reach this point, and i'm sure my husband would love to share what he went through with you. my best advice- once she is down from her hypomanic? episode (btw, nobody on this planet wants to voluntarily stop being hypomanic, it feels too good- unless it's dysphoric), sit down with her and say you love and will support her, but demand she at least see a therapist. because taking drugs daily is so difficult and unpleasent, and because her episodes are so infrequent, she may be able to get by the way i do. Ritch- lithium just had too many side effects for me, and high dose depakote with zyprexa works very quickly (2-3 days vs. a week or more for lithium). hope some of this helped, i can add more if you need tips for overspending, etc. take care of yourself-judy
Posted by Bittersweet on March 13, 2003, at 17:45:28
In reply to Re: Bipolar rapid-cycling » Bittersweet, posted by Ritch on March 13, 2003, at 8:02:03
This is the end of the thread.
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