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.

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Does he or doesn't he?

Pulpit
Pulpit
I have a friend who we met about 8mnths ago now. He is part of our church family and the group of us that kinda hang out togeter and do pick ups for services and that kinda of stuff. He was coming for about 6mnths and then one day he never called us, didn't return his messages from us. We drove by his house and he was home and truck was parked outside but he didn't respond to anyone of us, he just kinda stopped all outside activity and went in hiding for a week or so, then one day he called us for coffee and got right back in the swing of things again...just like notthing happened! He hung around for a couple of weeks than a month ago he dissapreared again, a few days ago he called us and has been part of the group again...very funny and positive and eager for fellowship with us! We don't know how to approach him cause we don't want to stress him out but we we're wondering if this could be some kind of depression he goes through, I don't know much about this subject. Does anyone out there have any advice for us and how to deal with him, we don't want to lose him again!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I do this to everyone I know. It comes and goes, but there are gaps that make no sense and I just CAN'T face the world. It breaks me down to answer simple daily questions from the "real" world..."How are you?" makes me want to throw up on a bad day. "What have you been doing?" reminds me of all of the eating and destructive behavior I've learned to accept and somehow managed to become my life. I don't know if he is the same, but it sounds just like me.
Pulpit
Pulpit
Thanks alot. This may help us decide what to do. I get like this too with my Bipolar but I want to make sure we are not touchy with him and lose him. hmmmm Thanks for the response. Have a great day. Love and Prayers Ramona xoxoxoox
deleted_user
deleted_user
I can totally relate to Reality61 because it's my story too! And just maybe your friend's too. Maybe try sharing some of your own personal experiences with him to build trust so he knows he doesn't have to go thru this alone and that you support him.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agee, sometimes i just need to be by myself. If he is going through something, just be there for him, and let him know you are there for him no matter what. If he feels comfortable, he will open up. The group you have going sounds great. He obviously knows he has a place he can go.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ok well then I have a question to those who have already been diagnosed , sorry for spelling.I have not been diagnosed with bipolar but my hisband thinks I might be and even though I still am in denial I am starting to wonder. I go through times of I don't want to be near anyone, yet I force myself to go. Like a few months ago our church went to our local theme park. I woke up that morning wasn't really wanting to go but I forced myself to get up and get dressed and go, then gradually throughout the day I just keep feeling like I didn't want to be there, the next morning I got up for church still felt I don't want to go but forced myself to and for three weeks I was forcing myself to go places and do things i didn't want to. what caught my attionis she said she was forcing a smile. Well I seem to be forcing a smile alot while inside I just feel dead, like there is not hope and that I would rather be dead than to fake yet another smile. I just want to know what anyone else thinks about it and if anyone else believe like my husband does
deleted_user
deleted_user
Its not good to just assume he has a mental illness. It could be a number of things. Maybe he has colitis, or IBS. Why not ask him.
Halterbroke
Halterbroke
I too go through these times, and the hardest part was telling my friends (finally) why I would disappear, and where I would go. What happened was one of them came to me and told me about her depression and the dam just burst open for me. Is anybody particularly close to this person? Sometimes just saying, you know, if you ever want to go out for coffee or...(whatever) I would like that can help.
dancingd
dancingd
Moony # 5

You could be BP..but your husband isn't the one who is qualified to DX you.

You may also just be an unhappily married church woman ,who thinks she "has" to stay married,because it's the "right thing to do"


I was that woman...and stayed..because I thought it was right.
The stress and depression ,were the final triggers to my phycotic depressive break down.

Take from my story ,what you will
deleted_user
deleted_user
I do this stuff, too.
I don't know if you should ask him, anything. Just accept him as he is.
When I can't go for a while, I feel like I can never go back. I am afraid that someone WILL ask.

as for you,,,could be. You need to as a doctor.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Maybe nothing is wrong with him. if he were married and doing this would you think something was wrong??
Shelly4
Shelly4
Reality61, I agree with you. I feel the same way. I also agree with baggyknee. When I do exit for a while I fear going back because I dont want people asking me "what is wrong?" or saying "how do you feel?" You might just tell him that you miss him when he isnt around and if he ever needs anything, to let you know, then leave it at that. As long as his absence isnt obscurring the balance of the group, he just needs his space for whatever reason.