Newly Diagnosed BP

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
Newly Diagnosed BP
4
Mon, 05-31-2004 - 3:58pm
Hi. I am new to this group and have some questions. I am newly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and am looking for any resources that might be available to me. Although this diagnosis was in some ways a blessing, it is also a nightmare at this time. I am afraid that if my estranged husband finds out about it, he will use it as a means of getting custody of our children from me. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone feels they can offer, as well as any resource ideas. I am looking to learn everything I can about this condition and how to manage it. I am on medication and in counseling, but know there must be other ways to manage this.

Thank you in advance for all of your advice and for being here for me to lean on.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 8:41am
I don't have Bipolar, but I'm half way through my masters in psychology. What I've heard about Bipolar is that it is well-treated with medication. The biggest problem is that so many people with the disorder really love to feel manic. They miss it when they are on medication, so they go off of their medication. In addition, they often feel so normal on medication that they decide that they are cured and don't need medication. So they go off of their medication.

There is no cure of Bipolar Disorder. However, it can be completely managed by medication. You may need to constantly adjust the dosage, so you need to be under a doctor's close supervision. As long as you stay on your medication and work with your doctor, you should be absolutely fine and have no problems. That's what I've heard again and again about this disorder.

As for your ex, make sure that you tell no one about the disorder. I don't mean to burden you with a big secret, but they say that the only way to keep a secret is to keep it. If you don't tell anyone, then no one can break your trust. The people close to you would probably never tell your husband, but they may tell your children or others. This is how information gets passed along into the wrong hands. Your therapist and doctor files should be protected by patient doctor privilege. Just make sure that your husband has no reason to suspect that there is anything to turn up. That means not telling the kids that anything is going on, including your doctor appointments and therapist appointments. I don't think secrets are good to hide, but I know how ugly child custody battles can get. It's better safe than dealing with a lot of nasty battles that will only hurt you and your children.

Good Luck,

MariaC

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 11:06am
Hello and welcome to the board...

What Maria said to you is so very true with the meds thing..

I have been on meds for a year now I ws diagnosed with having cyclythmic disorder (spelled that wrong)

I have been on a mood stabilizer for a year now and I feel pretty good the biggest problem I have is knowing that the meds are what is making me feel okay I get tempted to go off of them because I feel like Maria said cured when in fact that I know that I am not cured and going off the meds can be a very bad thing...so stay on your meds no matter how normal you may feel do not go off of them without your doctor knowing and wheening you off of them...that is my fist piece of advice to you.

Number two when I was feeling out of control I would monitor it and see what was triggering me which happens to be alot of things that set me off but I would pay careful attention to what was going on with me and I would find things to do that would helpme out like I picked up yoga once because it is very relaxing but also because I had to really concentrate on what I was doing and by the time I was done doing my yoga I was feeling alot better so finding things to do when you are eather at your best or worse is a great way to monitore your mmod swings..

I am not sure what meds you are taking but make sure you stay away from antidepressants especially ones with stimulants in them they can make you very manic and that is not good when you are bipolar. I took an AD and it was very bad...

I also agree with what maria said about keeping this to yourself for me I got lucky because my ex was very understanding he should be because his wife has depression so he kinda gets how I am and would never think of taking Jakob from me he knows that it would literally kill me...but if you are running a risk of that happening to you then do not tell anyone especially when they have a big mouth and sometimes say things when they do not mean to...

Also focus on yourself and getting better you owe that to yourself and your children and trust me the combination of meds and therapy works wonders you will see in no time that you will start to feel like your old self again...I look back on myself from last year I read my old posts and see how far I have some and you will do the same...

I am sorry if I jumped all over with my reply I have alot of personal things going on so my mind is kinda wandering around..

I know that the other ladies will give you some great insight on ways to help yourself...also go crazy searching the web on bipolar disorder it has such a wealth of information on it I did the same thing when I was diagnosed and now I am an expert in my own right on this disease

I wish you the best of luck

And I hope that you post often and that you will find how the ladies here are so awesome.

Erin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 3:25pm

Welcome, Scorpiolady2004!

AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 3:42pm

Hi,


I'm BP too.

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