OT - Bipolar Disorder

[DreamStalker]

I have recently developed an interest in this condition (like in the last 5 minutes). So I'm starting from zero knowledge. Obviously there is Google which leads firstly and mostly to standard medical conventional wisdom.

Like with all conditions, OSA, cardiovascular, obesity, diabetes, back pain, etc. that I have researched in the past, I have been led to partially distrust conventional wisdom and always seek alternative views for reference and comparison.

So I'm requesting any links and blogs that may provide bipolar info from an alternative perspective or just any experience you may have with friends or loved ones with this condition (causes, treatment, how to deal with bipolar people, are drugs really the only solution?, etc.).

Thanks.

[49er]

I have recently developed an interest in this condition (like in the last 5 minutes). So I'm starting from zero knowledge. Obviously there is Google which leads firstly and mostly to standard medical conventional wisdom.

Like with all conditions, OSA, cardiovascular, obesity, diabetes, back pain, etc. that I have researched in the past, I have been led to partially distrust conventional wisdom and always seek alternative views for reference and comparison.

So I'm requesting any links and blogs that may provide bipolar info from an alternative perspective or just any experience you may have with friends or loved ones with this condition (causes, treatment, how to deal with bipolar people, are drugs really the only solution?, etc.).

Hi Dream Stalker,

As one who feels psych meds destroyed my life, I am so glad you are interested in an alternative perspective regarding BP. Here are some sights you might be interested in:

http://alt-therapies4bipolar.info/
http://theicarusproject.net/ - Forum for people with BP who are into alternatives to meds and don't see BP as an illness
http://beyondmeds.com/ - The blog of Gianna Kali, who was diagnosed with BP but no longer believes it is valid. She is off all meds. On her site, there are alternative perspectives on PB.
http://www.furiousseasons.com/ - Blog is no longer kept up to date but the owner was diagnosed with BP but went off of meds. He too questions his diagnosis.
http://www.madinamerica.com/ - Great site by Robert Whitaker, who wrote Anatomy of an Epidemic essentially questioning the long term effectiveness of psych meds. So it is more than just about BP but you might find it interesting. He is a journalist who started off believing that psych meds were effective until his research indicated a different story.

49er

PS - Just so people are clear, I am not putting down folks who find meds helpful. But I do have a problem with that being presented by the medical profession as the only option come heck high water.

[SleepingUgly]

I have recently developed an interest in this condition (like in the last 5 minutes).

I don't believe that every bipolar diagnosis made is a bona fide one.

[chunkyfrog]

--Like ADHD.
Some of those kids just need a lickin'

[Sir NoddinOff]

--Like ADHD.
Some of those kids just need a lickin'

Yeah, my dear ol' mom got it right: "Hey, you kids in the back seat, stop that ruckus or I'm pulling over and walloping on your asses!!!"

[DreamStalker]

I don't believe that every bipolar diagnosis made is a bona fide one. It seems to be a very popular diagnosis these days.

--Like ADHD.
Some of those kids just need a lickin'

Yep. That's what I figured which is why I started this thread. Our broken health system is a hodge-podge of medical art/science, voodoo training by big pharma, and other corporate snake oil marketing. That's also why I'm interested in "alternative" views on this condition. You only need to read through this forum to understand that these days, every patient needs advocacy from sources other than greedy profit motivated ones. Although spankings might be fun, they unfortunately may not be an option at this time.

Thanks for the links 49er, I'll start with those.

[SleepingUgly]

As a parent of a kid with ADHD, I can assure you that a lickin' wouldn't work. Back before I was a parent, I thought it was 98% nurture and 2% nature. Every misbehaving child I saw in public, I just KNEW would behave if *I* were parenting him/her. All I can say now is . The laugh's on me.

[chunkyfrog]

--I only said,"SOME"
I've seen kids all quiet and well-behaved when they think no one is looking.
Give them an audience and all hell breaks loose.
Of course there are kids who have problems only in certain environments.
Would that we knew what was happening and why.
My great-nephew is allergic to some food dyes--avoid them and no problem,
Add a little yellow #7, his personality changes. It's like Dr Jekyll's beaker.

[SleepingUgly]

How did they EVER figure out it was yellow #7?!!

[Lizistired]

Mental illness is such a complicated issue. Is any research done that isn't funded by big pharma? They treat symptoms with no interest in cause.
My older brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia 2 days after he committed suicide. Genetic? Environmental? Just make drugs & $$$.

[chunkyfrog]

It was several artificial colorings; yellow #7 was the worst. My niece has a degree in early childhood ed.,
and used an elimination process to figure it out. The docs confirmed it in the lab.
This kid has been reading labels since kindergarten. --An outstanding kid.

[kteague]

DreamStalker - A member of the forum, CollegeGirl, has talked about her experience with her diagnosis and medication and how treating her OSA resolved the symptoms that brought on her diagnosis.

Bipolar must be a frequently diagnosed illness, as I've known quite a few people with that diagnosis up close and personal. (And known a few that even my untrained eye knew should be diagnosed.) In one family they ran the spectrum in severity of symptoms. One was socially maladjusted and wore the nerves out of everyone who dealt with him. The rest were of near normal function with endearing personalities though affected to differing degrees. In two other families, prolonged manic episodes resulted in breakdowns requiring hospitalization. Both of those persons went on to be high achievers and one is an advocate and public speaker on the subject. Seems there is no one-size-fits-all. In another family, one person's mania took them to the point of having a distorted perception of reality, and woe unto the unsuspecting person who believed her convincing web of imaginations.

I think deciding on medication could depend on if there was a need to prevent or mitigate a crisis. Or if the person truly is miserable living in their skin and sinking their own ship. I wouldn't want to prolong their misery just to avoid taking a med. But short of that, natural remedies and a thorough medical evaluation to try to pinpoint a treatable cause seems a reasonable first approach. Sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction, medication side effect, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, and hormonal imbalance would be at the top of my list to investigate. Hope things work out well with whatever path is chosen. Do let us know if a non pharmaceutical solution is found.

[ekubaskie]

Bipolar is up-front and personal for me, too. I'll vote for meds. Without going into the relationships, we'll just say that I know one who gets the meds and one who does not. Does leads a pretty normal life. Does not, well, does not. I once spoke to does not on the phone, and I think I was talking to the REAL her - a lucent phase, and I swear shivers ran down my spine. I wanted so much to ask her to stay with us.

[sleepycarol]

My son was diagnosed at the age of 3 with ADHD. He literally could not sit still. His diagnosis came after I referred him to our local Children's Therapy Center. The watched for several days through a one way mirror and his interaction with the preschool and his environment. At the time, the psychologist said he had never encountered with the degree of hyperactivity as my son. This expert immediately got his script pad out and started to write a script. I told him in no way was they medicating my son. We learned behavior modification techniques, monitored his diet closely (several triggers being food colorings, food preservatives and additives, etc), and held him accountable. I taught him to never blame the hyperactivity on his misbehaviors -- he had to learn to channel that activity. He is a great kid, married with a family now, and keeps busy. He can not sit through a movie without getting up and going for a walk in the lobby, never liked video games, etc. I am proud of him and what he has become.

Bi-polar/manic depression runs in my family. (I have wondered if there is a connection between that and our families history of ADHD -- son, brother, nephew).

As kids we didn't realize our mother was "different". She was a stay at home mom, with 6 kids (5 in 5 years and my little sister five years later). Our house was spotless. As kids we never knew what would set her "off". We would leave for school and things would be great, when we returned after school the world had fell apart and things were horrible. You did not invite friends to the house because they didn't fit into the routines my mother had. She was very rigid with her routines. She washed clothes everyday at 7:00, no matter what. She hung the clothes to dry as clothes dryers were for "lazy people". She ironed clothes at 10:00, again no matter what was going on. I remember her ironing frozen clothes, damp clothes, etc. We ate lunch at 11:45 every day. Supper was at 6:00 without fail. Kids were not allowed to do any housework. If we tried helping such as making our beds, the bedding would be stripped and she would remake the bed with the lecture that "we couldn't do it right". As a kid we could not leave our yard, period. Oh, did I mention that we would get a beating if we tried to help, get out of the yard, etc. The story goes on and on. When I was about 10, my mom had her first break down. She spent several months in a mental ward. From that time forward mom was in and out of hospitals.
Mom had some of the bizarre treatments tried on her such as electroshock, etc. since this was in the 60's/70's. Mom was medicated and soon became addicted to the various drugs. She would float from one doctor to another to get her fix. Do I blame the doctors -- you bet I do since her quality of life suffered (not to mention us kids). You might wonder where my dad was. He stood by mom and they stayed married, but he mentally distanced himself from the choas.

My sister has been diagnosed (is it over identified -- I don't know). She has had issues over the years with heavy drinking and drugs. She has few coping skills. Her two kids are following her path. She has never addressed any underlying issues through counselling or treatment.

One brother has not worked in 20 years. He does not draw assistance of any kind. He relies on family members for his needs. Thankfully he owns his own home. Has no gas so unable to cook (uses wood to heat), has no running water in the house, and has went long periods of time with no electricity using kerosene lamps. He lives in a fantasy world for the most part. Does he mental issues -- most probably, is it bi-polar -- unsure.

I have suffered from depression at various times. At times I have taken anti-depressants to help. I have went through counselling and have learned many coping skills to help with it. Am I bi-polar, not diagnosed as such. I hold down a full time job, have a college degree, been married almost 40 years, and have 5 kids.

Oldest son has tried to commit suicide. He nearly succeeded (took an overdose, slit his wrist, and doused himself with lighter fluid and set himself on fire all in one period). He was on meds for awhile and with the help of a life coach as learned coping strategies. He has been diagnosed bi-polar with a personality disorder. He is not currently on meds, graduated from college, and holds a full time job. He is married and has a family.

My second son is the one with ADHD and his story is above.

My oldest daughter has been diagnosed with bi-polar. She, too has tried suicide by taking an overdose. She has went through counselling, was on meds for a period (is no longer on meds). She has graduated from college and is a social worker.

My youngest son is currently in the VA hospital for depression and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (from his service in Iraq). They are trying to stabilize him with some meds. He originally diagnosed with bi-polar, but the VA has discounted that diagnosis and said they do not believe he is. He will follow up with counselling and learning coping strategies to deal with life.

At this point, the only one without some type issues is my youngest daughter.

I am interested in the replies to this post. Is bi-polar over diagnosed? I truly do not know. We live in a high stress society now. We are bombarded with televisions shows that bend and distort reality (have you noticed even the "poor" families have nice houses?), ads that imply you are not "someone" unless you use/buy their products, the cost of living is out of site, wages are low, etc.

What do others think?

[Lizistired]

Check this website for your local area. They offer training, support groups for both patients and supporting family members. I went through the course for general knowledge. It's a fantastic community resource and is nation wide.
http://www.nami.org/