Bipolar identity
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| Mon, 09-11-2006 - 12:21pm |
Why does my bipolar friend spend more than $6,000 annually for meds/therapy and still has difficulty maintaining relationships with friends, family and significant others and cannot hold a job? He is truly miserable and worse off than when first diagnosed 20 yrs ago. He goes to the best therapists in this large metropolitan city and has access to the latest meds, takes them RELIGIOUSLY, adjusts them as needed under advice of doctors.
Sorry for my naivete I don't mean to offend anyone, but as a former anorectic I'm thinking the bipolar, as with anorexia, just becomes such a part of your identity that you in some senses choose not to let go of the behavior. It's easy just throw up your hands and blame your diagnosis for everything, and you get a lot of sympathy and attention for doing it. Also, he talks about bipolar/himself/his problems constantly and reads about it tirelessly; it's like he is obsessed with it but never takes action. I feel I've been there, in some capacity, and wonder if anyone has any insights.
Shouldn't the meds be alleviating his misery to some small extent? Ever?

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It would be great if my friend could get himself into a work situation where there was more support, where people knew he was bp and were more understanding. He's lost his last couple of jobs due to his moods. He takes full responsibility, but honestly didn't understand why it happened the first time. Now he's understanding more, but it's not always so easy to apply what you've learned on the spur of the moment...most likely he reacts emotionally. I'm hoping things are going better where he is now overseas, but it's just a short-term job.
I've read up a bit on people filing for disability on the job but it sounds like it could be a double-edged sword. I guess where you are taking classes it's not such an issue. Thanks for your response.
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