Some questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2008
Some questions
5
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 3:14am

I posted earlier this week about my dd having bp. I'm pretty certain this is what's going on with her. Her pdoc appt. is on Thursday and I'm really looking forward to it, and hope that we come away with more definitive answers and better help than we've gotten in the past.

As I'm reading and learning more about this, I'm thinking that it's possible that either I or dh (maybe both?!) may have this. I've had depression for years, and sometimes it seems better than at other times. I can think of a few times when I've felt euphoric, but not very often. I'm more inclined to think that a manic phase for me, if I have this, would be much lower and my depression is a black pit. So like, other people's "normal" would be my "high." Sometimes I go through periods where I feel compelled to stay up extremely late at night, till around 3:00 a.m. or later. Or I'll feel compelled to stay busy constantly.

Can you recommend a good book to me? I have The Bipolar Child on order, but am thinking that I need a different book to understand about how it manifests in adults.

Also, how long do cycles usually last? How do you know when you've come out of one? Is there a middle ground sometimes when you are "fine," (whatever that is) or is it that with bp you are always either depressive or manic? I don't know if I've ever been "normal" in my life.

I can look back over my life and definitely see the depression, but it's kind of hard to figure out if I had a predisposition to it or not, because I am an abuse survivor. Up until about a year ago I was dealing with what I believe were PTSD symptoms from that. I've done a lot of work with my healing and am in a better place now. I have really been struggling with depression the last couple of months, particularly this past month, and I've noticed that it seemed to be triggered by the stress we've had with our dd. Lots of adverse reactions to meds, etc. I've been thoroughly alarmed and stressed about her well-being and trying to figure out what's going on with her. During this time I've dealt with it by eating and reverting to old coping behaviors. I've also wanted to spend money. I haven't made a huge mess with it, but have definitely made some poor decisions that way. Sometimes I feel kind of like I'm paralyzed. I feel this often when I'm depressed, especially when there is anxiety with it.

I don't know if I'm making much sense. Again, I appreciate anything you can offer.

Heidi

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 9:50am

DW has a link to a good site describing the varying types of bp or bp spectrum as this web site calls it. It describes what you are experiencing, which DW was as well and now that we have thrown a mood stabilizer into the mix, she seems to be doing much better. I will direct her this way when she gets a chance.

tk

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2008
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 10:04am
Thank you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 12:27pm

One of my personal favorites is "New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder" by Jan Fawcett--it was written in just the last few years so it's pretty up to date and was quite an easy read, not so full of medicalese you need to be a doctor to understand.


One I haven't read yet, but am looking forward to doing so is, "Living Well with Depression & Bipolar Disorder", by John McManany.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2006
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 2:25pm

Heidi, Me again. I directed you to the child bipolar board. I see you have made several posts over there. TK is my DH. As he said I had many of the same symptoms you describe. I thought for the last 30 years I was dealing with off and on MAJOR DEPRESSION. After reading the website TK spoke of I realized my problem was more likely BP and I asked my PDOC for a mood stabalizer. Iv'e been taking Lamicatal for about a month and a half. I'm up to half dosage right now and have seen a great improvement. I haven't read any adult bipolar books but I'll give you a link to a website that convinced me that I am bipolar and not just depressed.

Here is the link. http://www.psycheducation.org/index.html
I hope this helps.
Brenda

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2008
Wed, 03-28-2007 - 1:03pm

Thanks, everyone, so much! What a great website! Looks like I have a lot of reading to do. :o) Thanks, Brenda.

Heidi