can someone please help me understand?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2006
can someone please help me understand?
5
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 10:46am
Last year my H became obsessed with chess. He played it morning, noon and night. He felt it was taking control of his life and affecting our relationship and his job. He said every day he would tell himself it would be the day he would stop and then he would fail and become very depressed. Any how, he ended up having an affair shortly after and said that he stop thinking about chess completely only to end up obsessing about this girl instead. He stated he wanted to kill himself and I got him help right away. They diagnosed him with bi-polar (which runs in his dad's side of the family)and he now is on meds. Does these impulse control issues have to do with the disease or does the impulse control issues trigger the disease?? Please if any one can explain this to me. I want so badly to understand what he is going through and help the best I can. Thanks for any input.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 11:00am

BP is the cause of impulse control. OCD is alot of times a co-concurrent dx. However, let the MS's do their work THEN see if the OCD is still there. Alot of times the MS's abate the co-concurrent symptoms to the point that no further meds are needed, sometimes not. This is a rough time right now, finding the right meds....Good luck.

tk

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2006
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 11:19am
Thanks for your reply. He was put on trileptal last year, and said he felt it worked with first trial of meds. I know with both my mom and sister (mom on lithium and sister on depritol-bad spelling) it took a long time to get the right dosage. Both had multiple returns to hospital. Anyways, he says he feels free from the negative affects of his illness. I wasn't sure if the impulse type problems was calmed due to meds or if they were not if they would cause him to relaspe. It sounds like the impulse control problems is part of the disease. Thanks!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 11:23am

For me, the answer to your question is both. I have huge issues with impulse control and that is the main reason I am ever hospitalized. Also, I can be triggered by fighting the impulses. Its really confusing, and everyone is different.

You have to be able to RECONGIZE your triggers, and this isn't as easy as it sounds...once you are able to do that, they can be controlled. Meds help.

Good luck!

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 11:45am

I agree with you "keli". Luckily in my place, with both myself and DS the impulse control is somewhat controlled with the meds and fighting them doesn't trigger. I feel for you....this disorder is NOT fun....as you are only TO aware.

To the original poster, I still stand by letting the MS's do their thing THEN see what further treatment is needed. That is from personal experience and as "keli" said, "Everyone is different". Hang in there and it sounds like you got lucky and are on the right track right off the bat. Several of us have had to muddle around through several different meds and different docs. Also be aware that meds sometimes work great and then seem to have lessening affects....keep your eyes open and trust your gut. I have seldom had my gut steer me wrong.

Luck,
tk

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2006
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 12:57pm
Keli that is exactly what my H's doctor told him to do. Recognize his triggers. I hope I can help him too in case he is too far sick to be able to "recognize". He has had impulse control issues since his teens. This is probably when his disease started. Unfortunely, it took almost losing everything before he was diagnosed as an adult. I feel guilt too since I am from a family with two bi-polar members. I wonder why I didn't recognize it earlier (we have been married for 10 years) instead the doctors diagnosed him with adult ADHD and gave him Ritlin which his present doctor said only made his impulse control problem worse. But, each case is different. My sister was diagnosed with the most severe bi-polar where she has hallucinations. I'm so proud of her. She has taken care of herself and has been able to control her disease well for 7 years now. Yes, she has had relapses but fewer over the years and less severe. So, she is my inspriration that there is hope.