topic Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS in Wellness

BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

shoppinggirl12 — Thu, 17 May 2018 12:17:50 GMT

As I mentioned on another thread, my adult son was just diagnosed with BiPolar. He is on Abilify right now, he spent two weeks in the hospital, and got released a few days ago.

He had a manic episode, which landed him in the hospital, with the diagnosis.

Anyone out there have this medical condition? I am reaching out to the wellness group.

Need some tips on handling all the stress, I am so sad and overwhelmed. He lives with his girlfriend, but he is having trouble sleeping at night, so I brought him home yesterday and he seems better. But he will be going back there in a day or two.

He has always been a pretty laid back kid, and only had early signs of ADHD. Nothing more.

Anyone going thru this, any uplifting stories to share would be appreciated. I feel very alone.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

Coopsmommy — Thu, 17 May 2018 12:52:56 GMT

@shoppinggirl12

Let me begin by saying I'm sorry your son and you are going through this, but please remember that this a medical condition and nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure with the right medication and awareness of the disease that he will learn to navigate thru just fine. My sister was diagnosed about 10 years ago and it took some time to find the correct medication, but she finally did and with mental health counseling she is the same strong, professional and highly functioning woman she's always been. She said she found the talk therapy sessions just as important as the medication, so I hope your son will find a good therapist.

There are some great books/resources out there to help educate you about the disease.....one was An Unquiet Mind. I believe it was written by a mental health professional who later admitted to being the person whom the book was based, Peace be with you.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

cherry — Thu, 17 May 2018 12:55:42 GMT

I don't have anything to share, but I will suggest something. I would look for support groups and ofrums about this, on the net

I am sure they must be out there, and can offer you some really usefull information ,and advice...good luck

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

qualitygal — Thu, 17 May 2018 12:59:51 GMT

I agree with Cherry. Wish I could help with info. Hopefully in time this will all work out for all of you. Hang in there.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

lulu1 — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:24:09 GMT

Our mother suffered from manic depression. Back then, little was done to treat her condition. As a child I remember Mommy going away periodically for a rest. We walked on egg shells as we never knew whether our mother was going to kiss us or throw a knife at us.

During my teaching career I encountered a number of students diagnosed as Bi Polar. As long as their meds were taken in proper dosages, things were great. Growth spurts and puberty in general, wrecked havoc on the correct meds and dosage.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

Another new name Sue — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:27:39 GMT

A friend is bi-polar. He has been high functioning and well employed many years with proper medication. Medication has to be modified occasionally. I believe he sees a psychiatrist (not sure).

@shoppinggirl12 I understand how sad and worried you are. The anxiety is terrible for you. Don’t think you are being selfish if you take time for yourself: exercise is good, walk in a park, gardening, go to movie, lunch with friends, shopping, whatever you enjoy. You cannot help him if you are falling apart. It’s essential you do this.

It’s good you have a diagnosis and medication. My hope is that he is motivated to work with a doctor to adjust or change his meds to even out his life. It takes time and effort, but there definitely is hope for a healthier future.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

jackthebear — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:46:34 GMT

@cherry wrote:
I don't have anything to share, but I will suggest something. I would look for support groups and ofrums about this, on the net

I am sure they must be out there, and can offer you some really usefull information ,and advice...good luck

agree with Cherry perhaps his Dr/Clinic can help you find a group

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

shoppinggirl12 — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:52:57 GMT

Oh my gosh, thank you to everyone who responded. He is my boy, the love of my life, a good kid. I am just frightened now and worried.

He doesn't seem to be manic right now, just pretty talkative, which is nice, but a little unlike his normal personality. The last several years, he got pretty quiet, not a big talker. Although in his teen years he was the life of the party. So sometimes I am not sure which is the "real" person? Is this bringing out the original kid, or not? Very confusing. I have to admit, it's nice that he is talkative. Not sure how long that will last.

He is on Abilify, 15 mg. Once a day. But again, he is having problems sleeping. Only a few hours. Don't know if he should be taking something to sleep. Guess he will have to ask that at his next checkup.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

Another new name Sue — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:11:17 GMT

Would he allow someone to go with him to the next checkup? You, girlfriend, other trusted person? He may not share his state honestly with the doctor, it being easier to say, "I'm fine." And he could be "fine" at the moment. Obviously he's an adult and might not welcome what he perceives as an intrusion.

We never stop being moms.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

chrystaltree — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:11:55 GMT

You have a computer, you should Google it. Didn't they have a family meeting before he was discharged? That's where the docs and therapists and social workers would explain everything to the family? If he's having trouble sleeping, he should have called his doctor or the contact at the person. It's possible that his med need to be adjusted or perhaps it's something that he should expect and learn to adjust to. Perhaps he was just adusting to be home again. I don't think going to your house was the best thing for him, you just don't have a good handle on any of this stuff and while you love him, I think you are most concerned with how his illness affects you. The fact is Bipolar Disorder isn't one single disease, there are several levels with different manifestations and there's no cure. He's going to has ups and downs throught his life. This is just the very beginning for him. Yes, many people do learn to manage the disease and live good lives but it doesn't go away. Honestly, I don't know why your are so stressed, sad, overwhelmed. If I were in your position, I'd be happy that my son has been diagnosed and that that he's being treated and that he has a girlfriend who is standing with him through this. If you are thinking that you should have seen this coming when he was a kid or that it's somehow your fault....stop. That just is not true. It doesn't matter what he had or did not have back when he was kid. Live in the present and try to be a positive influence in his life.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

happycat — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:29:06 GMT

@shoppinggirl12 wrote:
Oh my gosh, thank you to everyone who responded. He is my boy, the love of my life, a good kid. I am just frightened now and worried.

He doesn't seem to be manic right now, just pretty talkative, which is nice, but a little unlike his normal personality. The last several years, he got pretty quiet, not a big talker. Although in his teen years he was the life of the party. So sometimes I am not sure which is the "real" person? Is this bringing out the original kid, or not? Very confusing. I have to admit, it's nice that he is talkative. Not sure how long that will last.

He is on Abilify, 15 mg. Once a day. But again, he is having problems sleeping. Only a few hours. Don't know if he should be taking something to sleep. Guess he will have to ask that at his next checkup.

I think you or he should contact the dr and let them know he is not sleeping. We all need rest and I'm wondering if sleep deprivation could cause any problems with his diagnosis possibly. Or if the Abilify could be causing him not to be able to sleep.

All the best to you and your son.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

shoppinggirl12 — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:54:36 GMT

I called the hospital that he was released from, left two messages yesterday, no call back. I think they really don't care, now that he is discharged.

And they did not require a family meeting before he was discharged, I am telling you, the place was not the greatest.

Now he will be an outpatient, I will have to look into the next doctor appt., and maybe I will go with him, if he is okay with it.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

qbetzforreal — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:19:56 GMT

@shoppinggirl12 wrote:
I called the hospital that he was released from, left two messages yesterday, no call back. I think they really don't care, now that he is discharged.

And they did not require a family meeting before he was discharged, I am telling you, the place was not the greatest.

Now he will be an outpatient, I will have to look into the next doctor appt., and maybe I will go with him, if he is okay with it.

It's not that the hospital doesn't care. Their job was to stabilize your son which they did. I'm sure in your son's possession is a discharge summary which tells him what do for aftercare.

The onset of bipolar disorder is between 15-24. It could be that he was misdiagnosed as ADHD when in fact it was bipolar disorder.

It seems as though you're not handling this well. Other posters have mentioned and suggested support groups. Self care is very important. There is a wealth of good information out there.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

webbgarner1 — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:21:39 GMT

@shoppinggirl12 Check to see if there is a local chapter of NAMI ( National Alliance on Mental Illness ) in your area. They are a good support group for individuals with mental illness and their families. They can give you information and resources. Good luck to you and your son.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

twinkies — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:27:00 GMT

Bipolar is a very serious disease. My daughter has it , My father also had it , I have to say all cases are different but there are so many new medications that do help . But for some it is a roller coaster ride ,Ups and downs and intense mood swings .Every case is different butit does have a tendency to run in families . Believe it or not the manic state is the most dangerous because patients get out of control and lack serious jusdgement . There are also problems wwithspending too much money ,gambling ,drugs aaand angry outbursts , It can happen on a dime. Its tough to have it and even tougher tolive with someone who is Boplar especially if they are unmedicated . There is a lot to it , The best thing to do is to buy abook that explains the illness.

cathy from ma

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

IMW — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:43:55 GMT

Posts: 1,492

Registered: ‎06-15-2014

Re: My son was admitted to hospital last night

‎04-27-2018 11:19 AM

If it is bipolar I suggest reading The Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and A Mother’s Love.

Bipolar can’t ever be cured, only managed at best.

My mil suffered from this as does my dh. It is very hard to live with for everybody. The sufferer feels good manic and does not want help.

You positively did the right/best thing. He will be stabilized with meds. You need to prevent his life from unraveling. Tell employer he’s ill, pay bills, etc.

People can go years without an episode, once diagnosed you will find out about out patient care, a psychiatrist,

what hospital to take him to in emergency.

He needs you, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself, if necessary see your md. Good luck.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

skuggles — Thu, 17 May 2018 22:23:22 GMT

I know many people who have it. They are fine as long as they stay on their medication. The problems arise when they don't, and they do seem to suffer more frequently from illusions episodically, that they don't need or want to continue it. Every case is different from my experience, but many of them have familes and know success in their jobs.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

151949 — Fri, 18 May 2018 00:26:02 GMT

You said in a previous post that he hadn't gotten his Rx filled - has he done so now? He really NEEDS that medication.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

Catiele — Fri, 18 May 2018 01:16:24 GMT

This is the beginning of a long road with your son. My son is bi polar. He was a little older when we realized he had a problem. We honestly didn’t know what to do. It has been a long road. Stays in the hospital, different medications, worrying. This is what happened with our son. We never gave up and was always there when he needed us. Today he is the best he has been in a long time. Sometimes I would just step back from it when I felt I needed to. Find out as much as you can about the disease. Please take care of you. Will be praying for you both.

Re: BI-POLAR DIAGNOSIS

CatsyCline — Fri, 18 May 2018 05:05:31 GMT

Like another poster mentioned, there are varying degrees to this mood disorder. Some become Manic, some only hypomanic. Men usually start with Manic episode,

It is possible that your son was so quiet in the past because he was depressed and did not recognize his depression and neither you or your husband saw the signs of depression. Son took Adderall, may have triggered the manic episode.

Abilify can cause insomnia in some patients. Son could take the dose AM to avoid sleep issues. Full benefit realized after about a month on this med. No need to wait until next appointment to ask questions. He can and should pick up the phone and call. This is his health condition and he needs to handle it.

I gave you several resources for bipiolar orgs on your other threads - the best thing for both of you is support systems in form of a group or even online. Face tp Face is best - you will find many many folks to talk to - just like you and son.