Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group
This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.
I have a friend who has been diagnosed bipolar and schizo-affective - different doctors. the "label" makes no difference to me. i'm trying to understand what's happening to her. Her ex-husband was abusing her, so I invited her to come and stay with me; and went to court with her to get an interdict againsr said ex-husband.
Her affect is very flat most of the time; she battles to motivate herself to do anything. If I make a list of things like wash the dishes, hand the washing, feed the animals, whatever - she'll do it and she'll do it well properly.
What gets me is her depression. (Ive seen her in a manic phase - it's not pretty. Last time was maybe 18 month ago and she broke off contact with me (which suited me at the time because she was incredibly high maintenance and I didn't realise it was mania - she said the doctor said it wasn't mania. Turns out later she never told him what was happening and how she was feeling so he couldn't have known I suppose.) She tried to kill herself last week Thursday - cut her one wrist and then sent me a text message saying what she'd done. I took her to the ER to have it stitched, and she was admitted to a psych hospital. I can;t be angry with her - I honestly don;t think she;s accountable. As far as I know she takes her meds. (mood stabiliser, antipsychotic, anti-depressant, and something for her thyroid (eltroxin)).
if she's not taking them the way she should it's not intentional.
What are the chances that she'll get better? I know none of you have seen her, and I'm not trying to get someone to predict the future, but has anyone here known someone in similar circumstances to improve? The doctor was talking of institutionalising her. i'd hate that, but it may the best option - I work, so I can't watch her all day, even if I wanted to. It breaks my heart to see her like this - I've known her for more than 20 years, and she's only been sick maybe 8 years or so (and getting worse as far as I can tell.) Every now and then I see a tiny glimpse of the person I used to know, but not very often and not very much.
Anybody?
Anybody?
Her affect is very flat most of the time; she battles to motivate herself to do anything. If I make a list of things like wash the dishes, hand the washing, feed the animals, whatever - she'll do it and she'll do it well properly.
What gets me is her depression. (Ive seen her in a manic phase - it's not pretty. Last time was maybe 18 month ago and she broke off contact with me (which suited me at the time because she was incredibly high maintenance and I didn't realise it was mania - she said the doctor said it wasn't mania. Turns out later she never told him what was happening and how she was feeling so he couldn't have known I suppose.) She tried to kill herself last week Thursday - cut her one wrist and then sent me a text message saying what she'd done. I took her to the ER to have it stitched, and she was admitted to a psych hospital. I can;t be angry with her - I honestly don;t think she;s accountable. As far as I know she takes her meds. (mood stabiliser, antipsychotic, anti-depressant, and something for her thyroid (eltroxin)).
if she's not taking them the way she should it's not intentional.
What are the chances that she'll get better? I know none of you have seen her, and I'm not trying to get someone to predict the future, but has anyone here known someone in similar circumstances to improve? The doctor was talking of institutionalising her. i'd hate that, but it may the best option - I work, so I can't watch her all day, even if I wanted to. It breaks my heart to see her like this - I've known her for more than 20 years, and she's only been sick maybe 8 years or so (and getting worse as far as I can tell.) Every now and then I see a tiny glimpse of the person I used to know, but not very often and not very much.
Anybody?
Anybody?
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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!
Bipolar is an episodic disorder, including mania and depression. Some you in effect see three distinct modes, elevated (hypomania/ mania), depressed and normal.
Schizoaffective is a sort of blend of bipolar and schizophrenia. In bipolar psychosis (loss of touch with reality, hallucinations, delusions, hearing voices etc) are largely confined to the manic episodes. In schizoaffective in addition to the mania, psychosis can appear at other times.
I'm bipolar, I know alot of people that are schizoaffective. Some are largely stable others although they do take their meds give me serious concern a lot of the time. Sometimes med changes can help but some people seem to always struggle which is just heartbreaking.
Maybe a medium term stay in hospital would help.
they have peer support groups and educational classes. If she is into being a active particitant in her wellness it is helpful.It is a start .A lot more is needed.
I'm happy to report that after 20 days in hopital and a new pdoc and new meds and 4 ECT sessions my friend is a whole lot better - not a sign of depression; no racing thoughts (what she calls it - not sure if it's similar to voices and she calls it thoughts because she knows it's in her head). So she's not manic, depressed or psychotic, but she's not the person I used to know either. She's a bit like a child of about 12. A shy child. I can take her along when I visit friends but she hardly says a word. She likes being there though. Wants to go pretty much everywhere with me (except work.) I can leave her alone for the day but I have to do the "mommy" things like make sure there is food, and make sure she takes her meds. She's happy to help in the house but doesn't take initiative, I have to ask her. I'm in the process of trying to organise sheltered employment for her.
Her circumstances also changed a lot (no more ex-husband - doctor says he is not to have any contact with her ever) which I'm convinced also helps. I suspect she won't ever get much better than she is now, and there's a chance she may eventually have to be institutionalised but for now all is well, and I'm enjoying it while it lasts.
Just thought I'd share the good news.