I do that too, and on kind of a large scale. It is easy to spend thousands so fast. :-( Tell your pdoc right away and see if they can adjust your meds more, because that way it will take the urge to go all out and be impulsive. (I have a baaad habit of doing this everytime I am even just hypomanic - but I have gotten so much better with meds)

Hi vader, I think you need help from both your psychiatrist in terms of meds to limit this part of your Bipolar, and from a psychoptherapist to help you manage your behaviour when you have those urges. There is definitely help on offer for you.

I do this when I am manic. It's hard. Some Bi-polar people are addicted to sex, some drinking, w/me it's money. I think it's due to not having much when I was little. So money is my "out" with this disorder. I understand your frustration. I've been in legal trouble for embezzeling money. That was 8 years ago, but on three occasions. It hasn't happened again for a LONG time. But I don't work anymore. I'm afraid to, I have two kids to raise and am trying so hard to be the right kind of Mom. I have my meds adjusted when needed and that has helped. I've learned to notice when I feel a manic episode coming on. I have more depressive episodes than manic. But try the med adjustment, talk to your Dr. I agree with reply one. And you're not alone.

Hi, My mom is bipolar and she did that (does that too) She is in so deep right now I have to seriously consider bankruptcy. Please get yourself some help asap. It is good that you realize what you are doing. My mom did not and always had an excuse or would lay blame elsewhere. Please see you Dr for help before it consumes you so badly you are in a hole you can't get out of. A suggestion also is that you remove any overdraft you have on your accounts. If you must have credit cards, keep the limit very low and the same with any other lines of credit etc. That way you cannot get into the trouble my mom is in.

I have also had this problem while manic. Try to lower limits on charge cards and hide them. Utilize the wish list options on many online shopping sites. You feel like you are selecting items to buy, but are actually putting them on a wish list. It is almost as good as the real thing.

i can relate to this, my therapist told me that sometimes freezing your credit/debit cards can help because you cant use then on impulse and by the time they thor out you have time to think i guess. hugs xoxox

I wish I actually had money right now. I would go and buy a bunch of purses and shoes.

But to help solve your immediate problem, I would cancel all of my credit cards, and arrange a reduction in your balance through a consolidation company, and go on a payment plan. Than I would see my pdoc so he/she can put you on an antipsychotic, which is helpful for this type of behaviour. I would also entrust someone whom who trust to control your finances until you become stabilized. Also, try to see if you can hook up with a good therapist; this will help immensely.

Good luck.

christa, sensational suggestions and great suggestions from everyone - many minds are better than one Eh?

I've come to realize that at some points in my illness I have to hand my finances over to someone else I trust. I don't know if things are that bad for you yet. But it might be something you want to set up before you need it. It can really keep you from getting into lots of debt.

Abilify is beginning to make me feel better; so much so that today I spent $2100 on a new watch and a silver bracelet. MY husband will only see$1800 because I put the watch on our joint credit card.
I also talked endlessly to who ever was willing to listen. I took the dog to the park too. ( All this after spending the last 6 months in the house living in my pajamas.)
Tomorrow is going to be very interesting.
Susan

there's a lot of practical ways to deal with the financial system in saving money. hate to be practical in the face of a bad situation, because honestly I struggle with saving money as well. if you are employed/once you are employed, open a Certificate of Deposit (CD) with a bank, a useful account I activated myself, as the money in a CD cannot be touched for a certain amount of time, but the bank will continue put a certain amount of interest into the account. if you're looking longer term than that, there's programs in government jobs where if you deposit a certain percentage of your pay into a retirement fund, the government will match it. I believe some big business also does this, although I really don't know too much about it.

hope this helps in any way!

to all who have replied all i am saying thank you.I have been spending money like water and it is so easy to go overboard.Money is like poison to me and i wish I was rich.Being able to wake up and not worry about money has been my lifes dream.Because of my bi polar I have been unable to find a good job.They notice how depressed i get so I must learn to curb my emotions.I am on abilitfy now and it is helping me and once again...to all a big thank you and i did cut up all my credit cards because right now I am not working and i cant afford credit.The rates that I was being charged is silly and i dont want to spend the money on stupid things.

Well you can have someone else control your money for or:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision


Impulse-Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified

Sections: Introduction, 312.34 Intermittent Explosive Disorder, 312.32 Kleptomania, 312.33 Pyromania, 312.31 Pathological Gambling, 312.39 Trichotillomania, 312.30 Impulse-Control Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Topics Discussed: impulse-control disorder.

Excerpt: "This section includes disorders of impulse control that are not classified as part of the presentation of disorders in other sections of the manual (e.g., Substance-Related Disorders, Paraphilias, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Mood Disorders may have features that involve problems of impulse control). The essential feature of Impulse-Control Disorders is the failure to resist an impulse, drive, or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or to others. For most of the disorders in this section, the individual feels an increasing sense of tension or arousal before committing the act and then experiences pleasure, gratification, or relief at the time of committing the act. Following the act there may or may not be regret, self-reproach, or guilt. The following disorders are included in this section: Intermittent Explosive Disorder is characterized by discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses resulting in serious assaults or destruction of p..."

exactly what Surferjet said. Get rid of it and get someone to hold onto what you don't need, credit cards etc.
i shop like crazy when I am manic and when I feel it coming on now I pass my bank card and credit cards to my sister, and just keep a small amount of cash on me.

I'm glad to hear that you cut up your credit cards. Carrying a limited amount of cash with you when you go out may also help. I like to make a list of what I need to get before I have to go out shopping because without it I overspend. I've also heard that it can be helpful to put off any kind of large purchase that you think you need for a week or two. This can help with impulse buying, if you still truly need it in a week or two it will still be there to buy later. :-)