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.
Let me just begin by saying that I believe in psychiatric illness and the need for it to be treated.
Let me continue by saying that I find professions in psychiatry to be a crock. Sure, there are plenty of scientific studies and clinical trials to back up the use of all these meds that pdocs put us on. I'm very happy to hear that some beepers even find a combo of meds that actually works for them.
Mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-depressants w/ anti-anxiety properties, anti-psychotics, benzos, sleep meds....all these different meds....and all the different meds within each category. How many different combos have you tried? I've tried damn near all of them.
I'm not saying pdocs don't know anything. Pdocs, on the whole, are very intelligent and understanding. They know which meds have been tested and "proven" to treat whatever symptoms. That's a lot to know. Of course, it's all guessing. Does anyone else notice how pdocs say "I think" before they prescribe a new med? As in, "I think this will work for you." There's never an "I know" moment. We're adults, we trust that our pdoc knows what he/she is talking about, and we consent to whatever treatment the pdoc suggests. Who knows? Maybe THIS TIME it'll work.
I won't even get started on what I think of talk or group therapy. Yes, I'm "resistant to treatment". Not b/c I don't try. Now though, I get to put my 9 year old son through this whole ordeal. He needs treatment.... no doubt about it. There are only 2 mood stabilizers approved for children his age. Am I surprised in the least that neither of them have worked for him? Or that he had to go through finding out that the first one didn't work?
It's all trial and error....and in my experience, more error than anything.
Let me continue by saying that I find professions in psychiatry to be a crock. Sure, there are plenty of scientific studies and clinical trials to back up the use of all these meds that pdocs put us on. I'm very happy to hear that some beepers even find a combo of meds that actually works for them.
Mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-depressants w/ anti-anxiety properties, anti-psychotics, benzos, sleep meds....all these different meds....and all the different meds within each category. How many different combos have you tried? I've tried damn near all of them.
I'm not saying pdocs don't know anything. Pdocs, on the whole, are very intelligent and understanding. They know which meds have been tested and "proven" to treat whatever symptoms. That's a lot to know. Of course, it's all guessing. Does anyone else notice how pdocs say "I think" before they prescribe a new med? As in, "I think this will work for you." There's never an "I know" moment. We're adults, we trust that our pdoc knows what he/she is talking about, and we consent to whatever treatment the pdoc suggests. Who knows? Maybe THIS TIME it'll work.
I won't even get started on what I think of talk or group therapy. Yes, I'm "resistant to treatment". Not b/c I don't try. Now though, I get to put my 9 year old son through this whole ordeal. He needs treatment.... no doubt about it. There are only 2 mood stabilizers approved for children his age. Am I surprised in the least that neither of them have worked for him? Or that he had to go through finding out that the first one didn't work?
It's all trial and error....and in my experience, more error than anything.
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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!
it looks the whole think about BP genes (plural) is that there are a number of genetic types of bipolar. Genes code for proteins that then control basic brain structure and the brain chemicals.
so at a fundamental level - doctors are not trying to treat something like a bacteria or even something like porphoryia whic have more a less a single cause - you are trying to find a treatment for something that at the molecular level has a variety of different flavours.
Plus we don't know enough to directly intervene in BP so it all tends to get a bit vague, somethings work for some, not others.
If you've never seen it....a group of 4-5 docs sit around and debate over what to treat a patient for. Then the head doc chooses which one sounds best to him. They treat the patient for it, and for the first 55 minutes of the show, they are treating the patient for the wrong thing, sometimes causing their condition to worsen. In the last 5 minutes of the show, the head doc has an epiphany goes in and cures the patient.
I'm waiting for the epiphany, and have been for quite a few years. Obviously, I don't really expect the epiphany to ever happen.
I have to put faith into people that I don't have faith in, to take care of myself and my son. I only take 1 med....and the only reason I even take that is b/c it's highly addictive, I'm on a high dose and I've been on it for years. Withdrawals suck. I'm not on any other meds b/c I've tried them already. They either don't work, or have such wonderful side effects that I'd rather suffer emotionally than take them.
I do what I'm told. Pdoc at least once a month, tdoc once a week, ECT every 2 weeks, take my meds. Been on most meds, done CBT, been through group therapy, gone to DBSA support groups regularly, changed my diet, exercised more, journal, vitamins, read books, learned coping skills...name it....I've probably done it.
All I've got left is DBT, have an appointment Monday for intake and I can't start it until I complete ECT....or experimental treatments.
I'm open to advice.
I think it's great that your going to be trying DBT, there are a lot of skill you can learn from that treatment that can help you through the rest of your life and once you learned them you can pass on to your son.
There are two key components in learning these skills and they relate to their eventual effectiveness (or lack of) in your life. These are Open-mindedness and Willingness.
DBT will challenge your beliefs and behaviours as I believe any effective behavioural therapy does, just try your best to remain open-minded and willing to give it a try.
It is my belief that the trail and error nature of the illness and it's subsequent medical treatment is way there are people who look for alternative treatment others then meds, There are effective ones out there.
I hope DBT works for you
i am so so sorry for your son for all you parents of kids with mental illness i pray for the strength you need to get through it and a good and competent pdoc.((((HUGS))))))hanna!
To me it is the gold standard. Everyone I know in the mental health facility I go to praises it..above CBT or any other group therapy method. Like my therapist and class facilitator always said "DBT is evidenced based".
WIllingness is the key. You have to take action in DBT but once you do it takes off and really starts to come along side you in times of trouble. It also enriches every life in general and even all the professionals praise how much it has helped them and they don't struggle with mental illness issues.
So glad you have DBT coming in your future. What a gift.
Her life right now is school where she excells in most area but plays with kids 5 years younger then herself, sitting in her room coloring and listing to music. And so anxiety ridden she willnot leave this house.
She fianlayy after 4 years got an IEP from the school district #@$#@!!! and so something good should start coming our way in helping her.
Good luck to you too (:
My Mother is a hard core Roman Catholic. My Father was a Wiccan High Priest. Me? I don't know what to believe. I only bring that up b/c I was raised to believe one thing, then taught that there were other things to believe. Leaving me utterly confused....but if there is something to be said, I'll listen to it. I am open minded, I will commit to this treatment and I will try to do what they ask. That being said, this whole journey has left me jaded and pessimistic. If I have to go into it believing it will work before there is any proof....it's not gonna happen.
As Merrymay stated DBT is about action, the more your willing to put into it, the more benefits you will receive.
A little off topic, I found your upbringing interesting: I was born a strict Roman Catholic and evolved into a Wiccan Priest
When my liver and kidneys were going, I looked at alternatives - exercise, eating better, supplements like Omegas, spiritual journey, music, school. Oh yes, getting rid of female hormones through menopause. (Sorry men, this won't work for you!).
Gradually, I realized I needed more structure, a reason to get up and feel good about myself, some tools to fight back the intrusive thoughts, the depression. I'm not perfect, but considering I stopped all meds, I'm doing pretty well. I still have big issues with insomnia, but I realized this week, I haven't been applying structure to my sleep the way I was my daytime. So hoping and praying this turns it around, as least most days.
Sorry to rave about myself, Just hoping that you might look in a different direction if the docs aren't working for you, before you get to too bad of a place. Hugs