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.
Hey everyone! I’m brand new to this and also the first time I have spoken about this on a platform such as this.
MY BACKGROUND STORY
My name is Alida and I’m 21 years old. Currently, I am a nursing student in college living with my dad. I have been in a relationship for 8 years with my boyfriend, Aaron, 25. I love my life and am so grateful for everything I have and the opportunities that have been presented to me. From the outside looking in, it seems that I have everything I have always wanted, however, that is definitely not the case. About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and panic disorder. It wasn’t a surprise, as I had known something was wrong when I was around 7 years old. With my medication and excellent support system in my father and Aaron, it makes day to day life a little less of a struggle with their love.
However, in January of 2017, I noticed a stark shift in Aaron’s behavior. I blew it off thinking it was due to his new job causing him more anxiety than usual. (I won’t post his job title for privacy reasons). He previously had issues with stress, but nothing more than he couldn’t handle. This was different. The first thing I noticed were the mood swings. He would cycle rapidly, from irritability and frustration to elation and talkativeness. As the months progressed, he became worse: lacking patience, and that was something he always had with me, becoming more impulsive and irrational, and also developed a gambling issue. Aaron’s moods are unpredictable and all over the place, never knowing what he is going to be like from day to day. About 6 months ago, I tried to bring his mood swings to his attention, but that only made him angry and argumentative. He didn’t want to hear what I had to say and began to attack me on a personal level. Needless to say, I haven’t tried to talk to him about it again. The only person I have confided in about Aaron is my dad, and I know he is sick of hearing about all of his antics.
I have tried to get myself into counseling but being a broke college student really doesn’t work in my favor. So, this is why I have decided to come here. :)
AARON’S BACKGROUND STORY (if you want to read)
Aaron is 25 years old with a demanding but great paying job. We have been together for 8 years going on 9. He is a wonderful man who loves me and has immense talent with limitless potential. He lives at home with his parents and his brother and sister. For the past two years, we have talked about living together, but I have too much apprehension because he can’t admit to his extreme mood swings. On the other hand, I know that living with me would be better for him. His home life is volatile (domestic abuse and alcoholism). His parents constantly fight, and since he’s the oldest child, he is always put in the middle of it all, and forced to protect his younger siblings. The emotional side isn’t any better, either. He has been put down by both parents, calling him a disappointment, stupid, etc. In addition, the relationship he has with his father is almost nonexistent. This has caused him depression for most of his life, and now it’s all coming out.
NOTE: Aaron has not been clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After observing his behavior for over a year and a half, bipolar is the only conclusion I have come to.
(Sorry for such a long read)
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
...and btw an upbringing in a volatile home rife with Domestic Abuse, Alcoholism, etc. can cause Emotional issues that have nothing to do with BiPolar Disorder. Sounds like your boyfriend needs to see a Pdoc for Diagnosis and a referral to a good Therapist.
The reason I added the part about his home life is to see if there’s any correlation to how he grew up to the way he is now. Basically, it’s the nature vs. nurture argument.
While I myself do not have bipolar disorder, I strongly believe that education and awareness can go a long way. I will not make a statement like, “my boyfriend has bipolar disorder” without the 100% certainty by a physician, hence why I added the note at the end of my discussion. My number 1 concern right now is his mental health and stability. By broadening my intellect on the matter, I can gain a whole new perspective that I hadn’t thought of before. By sharing my experiences with him and vice versa, I hope to gain a greater understanding. Maybe we will share several parallels or maybe we won’t. Essentially, I’m here for him to love and support him through whatever is going on mentally.
Re your boyfriend - while you have come to the conclusion he is bipolar that determination can only be made by a psychiatrist. There are many disorders that look like bipolar - many I think the general public haven't heard of, but many are as common as bipolar.
IF he is bipolar then he would need to take meds and the only way to get those are through a proper diagnosis - so try and persuade him to do that - other than that there really is nothing you can do.
I think it might be better if you posted on the families & Friends of Bipolar board.
https://www.dailystrength.org/group/family-friends-of-bipolar
List of things that look like bipolar which require medical differential diagnosis
Borderline Personality Disorder (frequently confused even by doctors)
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Thyroid disorders (e.g thyroid disorders)
Schizophrenia
ADD
ADHD
Pituitary gland disorders (e.g Cushing’s Disease)
Brain Tumour
Some bacterial / viral infections (e.g meningitis or encephalitis )
Autoimmune disorders (leading to body rhythm dysregulation)
Some forms of seizure disorders.
Drug/ Alcohol abuse
Reaction to prescribed mediacations
Cerebrovascular accidents
Also you can have two common disorders that might mimic bipolar, e.g unipolar depression plus an anxiety disorder.
There is good help to be had when he's ready to admit that he needs help
There is a really good Anxiety board on here as well that might be helpful for you..... Big squishy hug..... This is a good site.....xo
https://www.dailystrength.org/group/anxiety
He needs to see a Psychiatrist and be diagnosed before there is any discussion on any website or support board about how to handle his "BiPolar".
My apologies to anyone who I may have offended for being on this particular support group- this is all new to me and I’m still trying to figure out where to go for my specific situation.
In regards to speaking for my boyfriend, I cannot do that. The things I can do is talk about my experiences with him, educate myself, and do the best I can to get him to see a psychiatrist. I also fully understand that I do not know what’s going on inside his mind- no one does until he gets the proper therapy.
Again, my apologies if I have offended anyone. I will be back when and if he gets the proper diagnosis.
Hugs and best wishes to you all! :)