Mental Health - NEW

Posted on: Sun, Nov 11 2007 3:40 AM

Posted by: samsara1 Posts: 1

 Hi,

Brain disorders (also called mental illnesses) can disable us, too.  Bipolar Disorder is often described as "extreme highs coupled with extreme lows,"  but as many who have BP I or BP II (maybe another post about that later??) can tell you, it can be SO much more than that.  The extreme highs and lows refer to depression--extended, proglonged, severe, or just plain unwarrenated feelings of sadness, sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or waking in the middle of the night, even insomnia), loss of interest in activities you used to find pleasurable, lack of interest in sex, weight gain or loss, the list goes on.  The extreme highs, called mania or hypomania depending on severity, might show as pressured speech (a pressing urge to talk), rapid speech, flight of thoughts, feelings of expansiveness, rapid thoughts, and unfortunately, sometimes like depression which can turn suicidal, these thoughts can ratchet out of control and end in psychosis--people hear voices, believe they are an historical figure, do not sleep for days at a time.  This condition, if allowed to continue to spiral can require hospitalizaton as it can be quite dangerous.

Sometimes people have what is called mixed states, which means that symptoms of BOTH mania or hypomania AND depression are there at the same time.  Sometimes people change very quickly between mania and depressed states.  This is called rapid cycling.  And sometimes, mania and hypomania are not experienced as the euphoric, feel-good high like we hear about, but rather as a state of irritibility and agitation which is called a dysphoric mania or hypomania.  Now, given all that, we can have someone who is rapid cycling with mixed states who experiences dysphoric hypomania for years before getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.  So we get farther and farther away from the "extreme highs coupled with extreme lows," in the typical description, at least to the outward appearances of the untrained eye.  And even then, as mentioned earlier, it can take several years for this pattern to be recognized by the trained eye.

I've heard the average length of time to diagnosis of BP is from 7-15 years, depending upon whose esitmate you are using.  In fact, treatment and diagnosis of mental illness is often a process, so it can differ from some of the stories on this web site of people who have suffered a traumatic accident, for example, and lost use of a bodily system all at once.  But it is also similar, in a way, because we can remember a time when we were not plagued by the terrible feeling that WE were not in control of our lives.  Biploar Disorder tends to be reported in men in young adulthood--late teens and early 20's, whereas onset for women lags behind to tend toward the mid to late 20's.  But, diagnoses are made in fairly young children today as well as those over thirty.  People over 60 are virtually never diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder generally includes medicine and some talk therapy, at least at first.  There are varying degrees of illness within the disorder.  Not all people with Bipolar DIsorder ar disabled by it, but it can be a very formidable adversary.
 

OH. I think it would be nice to have a mental illness community.  I saw an ad for this site claiming it's the best new thing for disabled people, then lo and behold, no room at the inn...I'm disabled, too...
 

Posted on: Sun, Nov 11 2007 4:29 PM

Posted by: Nonniebee Posts: 57

Hello Denise!

I, like you, have been dealing with Bipolar Disorder. Many people do not realize how debilatating this mental illness can be. I tend to lean more to the depressive side and have long periods between manic episodes. When I do have a manic episode, I am told that I act like I'm bouncing off the wall, since I don't remember anything I've done until I "wake up" in a normal state.

I was  first diagnosed when I was a teenager and meds were not as effective as they are today. About 8 years ago, my family was going through some hard times. I thought that we could save money if I quit taking my meds which were quite expensive at the time. Needless to say I quickly sunk into what I like to call the "BLACK HOLE". I was refusing treatment and it took a court order to hospitalize me. My husband had never seen me in such a state and was very frightened. With meds and therapy,I recovered  and have been doing well ever since.

When Social Security asks for my disabilities, bipolar disorder is listed as a secondary disability. I am not ashamed that I have a mental illness. I don't understand why people with mental illness are treated so much different that someone ,say ,with any other physical disability. Isn't the brain part of the human body? Even insurance companies pay out differently for mental health treatment (50% for mental health & 80% for all other treatment)

I think the stigma that go along with  mental illness needs to be changed. So many important and gifted people have bipolar disorder. Just like a diabetic,with proper treatment a person with mental illness can lead a happy and productive life.

Posted on: Mon, Nov 12 2007 5:12 PM

Posted by: jmsjane Posts: 1

samsara1:

OH. I think it would be nice to have a mental illness community.  I saw an ad for this site claiming it's the best new thing for disabled people, then lo and behold, no room at the inn...I'm disabled, too...

I am confused by this statement.  Aren't you in the mental health forum right now?  What do you mean by mental illness community?  As far as I can tell, Disaboom just has one community, the disaboom community that is open to all.

Posted on: Mon, Nov 12 2007 10:40 PM

Posted by: problemchildbride Posts: 64

Hi.  I'm bipolar too.  I have no physical disability but there are times when I've been knocked right on my bum by this illness and have been no more able to function than a person unable to move.  In my twenties I was hospitalized and when I started to emerge from a very bleak depression indeed, the nurse told me I'd been catatonic for a time; completely unable to respond to anything. There is no doubt in my mind that I was incapacitated and disabled in a very real sense during that time, and in the unstable times prior to and following that episode.

Nowadays I'm lucky enough to have a fairly stable time of it with medication that works well for me but I know this is not always the case for bipolar sufferers.  My mother is a case in point.  Nothing has ever really worked for her and she's had the lot.  Given ECT at 16 didn't help matters but lithium, carbamazepine, all the MAOIs, every modern drug she's tried has never been able to keep her on an even keel for long.  She's a rapid cycler and, like me, tends towards mixed states and  depression although Iwe've both experience euphoric highs at different stages.

Anyway, pleased to make your 'quaintance, marm!  How is life for you at the moment?

Posted on: Thu, Dec 20 2007 9:03 PM

Posted by: catherder Posts: 10

I'm a 3rd generation Bipolar victim. At another time I'll tell my "Crazy Stories" my life has been full of them. It a damn shame that I can't remember all of the important detail. I could write a book and be rich.  My memory is affected by the bipolar.

  I would be glad to talk to any of you. 

My thought of the day is; if you have not had or have lived with someone with bipolar You can't possibly understand the complexity the disease causes. Even the people with bipolar who can pass off as "normal' struggle every minute of the day..

Posted on: Sun, Jan 6 2008 8:23 AM

Posted by: drsha9 Posts: 1

hi my name is shawn, i was wanting to know how can i get help with no money.i have never been diignosed with bi bolar just a few test on my com.but the syptoms decribe me to a tee.and im losing everything and i really need help.

Posted on: Sun, Jan 6 2008 1:17 PM

Posted by: Kara Posts: 2,333

Hi Drsha9,

Do you have any insurance coverage? If so, you may be able to find treatment that way but if not community mental health centers often offer treatment on a sliding scale. If you have NO income, you'd be treated at their lowest fees.....I know even that may be difficult but some people look at it with the idea that if they can begin functioning better/again, they'll actually be able to pursue working again or living a happier life. I hope you find help that works for you. Good luck!

Posted on: Sun, Jan 6 2008 11:02 PM

Posted by: jeannie Posts: 3

hello shawn! if you are in need of medical care and can not work right now i suggest you go to your nearest social service office and apply for insurance coverage, you may qualify for temporary medical insurance.