Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
My husband was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder last fall. He's on 1mg of Risperdal and 20mg of Lexapro (he also has panic disorder). He's also a gambling addict, and was unable to leave our home from December to June of last year because he was vomiting daily and he didn't want to do it in public. This stopped the gambling, but now he is back to gambling and seems manic and has learned to cope with daily vomiting. Its a nightmare! Is 1mg of Risperdal a normal dose for Bipolar Disorder? I don't want him to be overly "sedated" as he is also an extremely successful businessman. Honestly, he won't go back to the psychiatrist though, so I'm not sure any advice would even matter. Its so hard to be helpless and watching this. ANY ADVICE at all would be helpful. He's gained 120 pounds these past years as well because he is also a food addict! I have loads of sympathy because I was a counselor but I am also just human, and did not intend this to be my marriage. I know that probably sounds terribly selfish. Some days I am SO understanding, but he can also be very angry and nasty, which I assume is part of the bipolar? So, its hard to every day be patient. Advice, please, and many prayers to all of you out there who personally deal with this disease.
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I find myself going places in the car and not wanting to get out of the car. I come back home and I don't want to get out of the car. I think it's the only time I spend reflecting. Chronic tiredness from Long Covid plus the immunosupressing meds for my Crohn's is slowing me down but everything just seems a massive effort. I am dealing with the paperwork following my father's death but it's not...
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Wow, it's the middle of the week already!Today is our 11 year anniversary, so we're going out to a nice dinner. I'm losing a lot of sleep these days, hence a wonky schedule and uncomfortable feelings. But I know it will pass, eventually.I hope all of you have a peaceful day, and may good things come your way!
Being angry can be part of bipolar for some - but only when you are in an episode. And some people don't get angry at all.
Re your other query re dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder
Oral formulations:
Initial dose: 2 to 3 mg orally per day
Titration dose: May increase in increments of 1 mg per day at interval of 24 hours or more, as tolerated.
Effective dose range: 1 to 6 mg orally per day
Maximum dose: 6 mg orally per day
I think both you and your husband should consider therapy as well. Your individual and collective problems/afflictions are going to ratchet your problems and issues up. He is physically sick and manic, so you drink your way through it -- this is not healthy for either of you. Getting healthy together might save your marriage - I somehow doubt either of you signed up for this kind of life. If he was a former body-builder and is now 120 pounds heavier, he can't be real happy about that. I am sorry you are both having such a bad time.
It's going to take expert help to get you both back to balance and some semblance of healthy. But it will be worth it! Honest! I am Mrs. Acuriousfish - it is worth it to get the help you need - you can have a good life together - we do. I am also widowed from my first husband who was a recovering alcoholic. Counseling and recovery saved my first marriage, my late husband was clean and sober 20 years when he passed. Health and happiness are worth striving for. Don't give up.
Love and Hugs....
My point is that when someone is high and they think everything is honky dory they many a time do not listen to reason.
My daughter and I have now decided that I will now legally pass over to her my power of attorney so the next time I get manic she can freeze my assets, credit cards etc, to stop my spending sprees. Maybe you should think about this ann, especially as he is a gambler, but you may find you will have to wait until his mania subsides before he will agree.
My heart goes out to you and I sincerely hope that you can both get through what must be a traumatic time.
I also have bipolar1 and I agree with the previous statements. It took me MANY trial and errors before they found the right concoction for me! I do not know how you are going to get him to seek help but he definitely needs it. I have never been on Risperdal but I have been on plenty of others and weight gain is also a side effect of many of the drugs for bipolar disorder. I don't know too much about Risperdal besides the lawsuits,etc. but it seems he needs to be on a mood stabilizer as well. That is what saved me. The anger is usually a product of mania as well as the compulsive spending. The power of attorney is not a bad idea but good luck getting that if he won't even see a psychiatrist. I see a psychiatrist and therapist very regularly but even I would not agree to give that power to my loved one. When they finally got me stabilized I was so for much longer periods of time. I used to be hospitalized for a month every couple of months and now I am only sick once a year or less and for much shorter periods. I am sorry you have to deal with this. I know it is hard. My grandmother, mother and then lucky me have had to deal with this. It was so hard for me that I decided to have a tubal ligation to prevent passing it on. Depakote was my miracle drug. Lithium works for many but not for me. Both are mood stabilizers. Hang in there. I know you were a counselor so have you read any books on bipolar disorder? The book by Kay Redfield Jamison titled "An Unquiet Mind" is excellent if you want to get a peek inside a bipolar person's mind. She is a psychiatrist I believe that is afflicted with this great disorder and she lets the readers inside her head. There are many other really helpful ones too. Please write me if you have any questions you would like to ask as I don't mind answering anything. Sorry I have written so much here.- Suzanne
I've never taken risperdal but i had a friend who took it and that does seem like a low dose to me.