Posted on 02/21/2010 6:06:27 AM PST by j_marie
So which is it? Physical, or mental? Makes a huge difference. If physical, then there's little hope without drugs. If mental, then (to speak very broadly) therapy and personal responsibility.
Well, I have no idea..., but I do know that you can see it "ramping up" and there's nothing you can do about it ... except run.... :-)
Hi,
Well after dealing with the whirlwind emotions for nearly 45 years, I’m just beginning to lean a little about what a trigger can do. I’d have to respond to you that bipolar IS chemical and that triggers (outside stimuli) somehow effect these chemicals. One of my doctors told me that seasons like fall could spur an episode due to the length of the sun.
Does this help at all?
Living and loving someone bipolar can be hell.
I’m really sorry that she treated you so. I think that those who love bipolars are just as effected as those suffering from the illness. My husband can always tell when I’m not taking my meds. Thank goodness he isn’t afraid to call me on it either. Presently they had me on a new medication which I loved because it evened out my moods where I wasn’t manic or down. But low and behold, I developed an allergy, so now I’m on Abilifi (spelling). We’ll see how this one works.
Oh yes I have I live in Calfornia.
That may be the answer. The analogy to anyone being more prone to, say, ill-temper when he’s low on sleep or hungry, is probably a good one.
My next question would be: have “they” actually found a physical cause? I mean, have they found that bipolars are low on Chemical X, or their DNA has an extra joker thrown in, or there’s part of their brain that’s green?
I ask it so precisely because for decades the mental-health profession has been enamored of this medical model, calling everything a “sickness,” and thus removing both responsibility and hope.
Oh, and thank you, btw.
The best treatment for bipolar, and I do believe this, is comprehensive drugs and talk therapy. I’ve been in and out of therapy for years. There are periods when I simply require the drug therapy, but life has a way of popping up with the unexpected and knocking me on my bottom. That’s when the ability to sound off to a professional is vital.
Oh yes I have I live in Calfornia.
Well then, you should know that there are several orders of magnitude difference between them by your own experience... :-)
You know, I have absolutely no idea what science has found or discovered. What I have heard is that a well rounded treatment is best and that is one of drug therapy to relieve the chemical imbalance of serotonin (spelling) and psycho therapy to enable the person to develop life skills and deal with unresolved issues.
Wow, enough! It’s back to the Travel Channel for me. LOL. I’m really glad someone posted this thread about bipolar.
Well, when I say that there’s nothing to do about it, I’m not indicating that there’s technically nothing one can feasibly do about it to help with some kind of treatment, because there is.
What I’m saying is that you can’t make someone else do something about it, and after having been through police calls, medical emergency calls, psychiatric calls, hospital calls and carrying someone down for emergency treatment several times and having them held for a few days — I know that part of the equation, too...
I don’t look for the government to fix things for me or my bi-polar son. I wish my extended family were more supportive but can’t fix that either. It’s his job and to a certain extent the job of my husband and I.
bookmark!
Thanks for the reply. We should all have friends who care enough about us to tell us we are being jerks.
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