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.
So I just got done talking to my ex-girlfriend whom recently just got up and left me and I found out she was BP because of this. Well anyways I was talking to her on IM. She was telling me about this concert she went to last night. Then she tells me she quit taking her meds like a couple days ago and she has tons of energy. I told her, yeah I know why. She got really defensive and was like, "I'm not manic right now okay." I figure, my ass you aren't. You think your in love with some guy you met on the xbox, you aren't sleeping, you aren't working, you aren't teaching or even doing yoga anymore (she used to do it everyday), you quit taking your meds. And then she tells me how she was screaming at this lady at the concert for booing. I told her that's not like her, she's normally this sweet little yoga teacher. Plus she tells me she's drinking energy drink, which I know isn't good for BP either. And she has been drinking a lot lately, where as before she never really drank (big yoga fiend).
I tried to tell her that I'm concerned about her. I tried to be as polite as possible because I know when you are manic you can be in denial. Of course she said she feels really good. I told her that I have done a lot of research on BP and I'm just concerned about her so she shouldn't be mad about it because I care. She said, Ohh I know, I've done a lot of research on BP too, I have it, so of course I know about it. I'm not bad like when I was younger, and I'm not manic right now, I know how to control myself. But when talking to her on IM she's typing like 500 words a minute and just all over the place mentally. How should I approach her. She is like 500 miles away so it's not like I can sit there and regulate her meds.
I tried to tell her that I'm concerned about her. I tried to be as polite as possible because I know when you are manic you can be in denial. Of course she said she feels really good. I told her that I have done a lot of research on BP and I'm just concerned about her so she shouldn't be mad about it because I care. She said, Ohh I know, I've done a lot of research on BP too, I have it, so of course I know about it. I'm not bad like when I was younger, and I'm not manic right now, I know how to control myself. But when talking to her on IM she's typing like 500 words a minute and just all over the place mentally. How should I approach her. She is like 500 miles away so it's not like I can sit there and regulate her meds.
deleted_user
Did you find out yet if she is on meds?
deleted_user
She said she would start taking them again. They are just zoloft too and I don't know if she needs more than that. I'm guessing she will probably crash one of these days and then we can get her into the doctor to make sure she has the right meds that she needs.
deleted_user
Well this week I am going to send her a care package with some yoga books, chocolate, yoga music, a pamphlet of info on BP and that documentary "The Secret life of a manic depressive video". Maybe I can get her to realize that she does need help, or at least get her thinking about it.
deleted_user
I agree with erogers, she is manic and if she is unwillilng to help herself there is not much you can do. Sorry. I think it is great that you care enough to want to help her. One day,she might appreciate that.
deleted_user
Well that could very well be the case. But I'm considering the fact that she is bi-polar. 3 weeks before she broke up with me we were talking about getting a house and how she wants to have kids within 3 years. She quits taking her meds, 6 days later she says she doesn't love me anymore and loves this guy she met on the xbox a week before. When i talk to her now too I can tell she isn't the person she normally is (I lived with her for 2 years). One minute she says she still has feelings for me, the next she loves this guy, the next she should just get knocked up and marry another chick, so I'm pretty certain she's manic right now. One minute she'll tell me she doesn't feel pain in her hip anymore, then another she'll tell me she can't even get out of the house because he hip hurts so bad.
deleted_user
Erogers & Whoami said it best.
deleted_user
There isn't alot you can do when someone is manic. I've been there and you feel you don't have the problem, it's everybody else. You may just have to let her crash. Tell her you will be there if she needs you. I'm on the flip side now. I'm almost done in nursing school and working in the inpatient unit. It is a scary thing to watch when people are manic
deleted_user
I agree when someone is manic they are incapable of reasoning. You said she is only on Zoloft. When I was first diagnosed I was only on Zoloft, too. Zoloft is only and anti-depressant, not a mood stablizer. For the first three years I was diagnosed my depression was under control, but my manina was like an unleashed monster! My doctor placed me on depakote to help control the maina and this did wonders. An anti-depressant is not enough for a bipolar, there has to be something to stabalize mood, too.
deleted_user
Well I'm sure she is going to crash. Once that happens I will make sure she gets the proper treatment. Other people have told me she needs more than Zoloft and I will probably go with her to the doctors to make sure this happens. Thanks everyone for the info.
deleted_user
i agree with fastrev she needs a mood stablizer too the doctor will know what to put her on when she goes to the doctor and it will be great you going with her..poor thing she really sounds manic to me..good luck and hugs...
deleted_user
Thanks for the support again everyone. This forum has really helped me cope with this problem mentally instead of turning to drugs or alcohol to deal with the problem. I really do mean it from the bottom of my heart. I hope everyone has a happy easter!
deleted_user
happy easter to you to...muah....hugs terri
deleted_user
i dont even know where to begin to help myself when i'm manic.. I dont realize i'm manic till i've hit a certain point in my mania.. Sometimes I dont realize i'm manic till things are really bad..
deleted_user
I think all you can do is be there for her when she crashes. It sounds like she definately needs to be on mood stablizers. Maybe once she comes down, she will be ready to get some help. I think the care package you are sending her is a good idea, it may not be so much for her right away, but once she comes down it will be there for her. She does need more education on her illness but I think she may have to get that the hard way, by crashing. That's usually how we learn, from experience. good luck
deleted_user
Man, I'm sorry, keep yourself strong, I will pray for you.
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