Wellness

[shoppinggirl12]

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.

[Coopsmommy]

@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.

[cherry]

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

[qualitygal]

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.

[lulu1]

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.

[Another new name Sue]

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. 

[jackthebear]

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@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

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

[shoppinggirl12]

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.

[Another new name Sue]

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.  

[chrystaltree]

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.