I wonder about that stuff too, Matt. I just hope they find a "cure" for BP and alzheimers before we get too much older!

And, maybe they'll find a way to encourage world peace?

www.mcmanweb.com/article-161.htm

read it and ponder

It's my understanding that untreated or inadequately treated, the course of the illness will get worse. I have never, however, seen anything that said that things would get worse if we are adequately treated over the years.

Is that really true, that it gets worse if not properly diagnosed and not on the right meds?

Not sure if it is true, Ruby. But, I would hope that anyone diagnosed would do their best to be well.
"on the right meds" is kind of misleading I suppose. I mean, most of us go on and off meds throughout our lives - have them adjusted even. I believe what Mary meant was that we need to take care of ourselves and take our meds, see our pdoc and therapist regularly, for starters. hope that helps.

Thanks that helps, just not sure I'm ready for a diagnosis of bipolar, and I may be seriously over-reacting anyway

I have the problem solved...I refuse to get old!

THe only remarkable health connection I've read about is, bp's have a tendancy to have heart problems (probably from stress, smoking and drinking!!)

Also, BP disorder does tend to worsen over time. But hopefully, we also learn to recognize the symptoms of an episode sooner, and learn preemptive ways to lessen their effects.

such as, when you start sleeping less, or whatever happens to you when you start a manic phase, agreeing ahead of time with a VERY trustable friend or family member, to hand them your checkbook and credit card, any access to your $$, allowing you what you need to live on, until you sleep again your regular hours for two or three days in a row.

I feel sad when I hear people say that their BP has gotten worse over the years.

I've been DX'd 16 years, been on my meds constantly for 8 and find my life only getting better with age. So, for me, taking my meds, seeing my Pdoc, and visiting Tdoc regularly have only made my life better.

Now, about the other health issues, I can see that. Due to depression moreso for me, I've been very sedintary which has caused a LOT of health issues.

I am certainly not an expert and can only comment on my personal experience. I have been fighting this disorder for 15 years. My first really bad episode lasted 2 months. I did well, was able to return to work and did not have another really bad episode for 6 years. The next bad episode lasted 4 months. Recovery was more difficult. The long lasting effeects more significant. The next episode happened after 4 years and lasted 6 months. After a "2 year break" I am now in my most recent episode, the worse yet. So far it has lasted 10 months now. I can no longer work. For me, growing older with BP I have seen a significant worsening of symptoms, increased frequency and length of duration. With each episode I feel I have lost "brain power" so to speak. As we know everyone is different. I am hoping that instead of getting worse with age that in your case you improve with every passing day. Best Wishes.

I always wanted to die young and leave a good looking corpse.

Too Late.

Ruby, it's a medical fact that bipolar, UNTREATED or not managed well, does get worse over time. There are two theories on why this is the case; the most common one (tho it has some problems, and there is more to it) is the "kindling" theory, which addressed the fact that once you have a major episode, the chances of you having another one is 90%. As you continue, UNTREATED, the episodes will come closer together and last longer, and the periods between them become less and less stable. The "sensitization" theory is that your brain chemistry gradually becomes more and more sensitive to triggers (such as lack of sleep, alcohol, stressful events or stress over time, and season changes), and can handle them less well as time goes on.

The answer: TREAT THE BIPOLAR. Everyone has a different course of the disease; some get worse, but most stabilize completely (WHEN TREATING IT), and live functional lives despite their bipolar.

Personal experience: Because I refused to treat my bipolar for so long, it's pretty bad. Statistically, now that it's managed well, it will continue to be bad, but should not get worse as I get older.

Treat the bipolar.

I dream that one day hopefully in my lifetime, they find a cure to any mental illness, especially alzheimers. That illness is my biggest fear. I saw what it did to my father and grand mother.

I think about the future like that.Then stop myself.
We aren't all sharing the same overall bodies.
Best to think of each day and persevere.Keeping active.