Dealing with Bipolarism - Page 2

Skybird · 02-28-12, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

That seems odd what your girlfriend said:

"she does not want injections and has an aversion to popping pills but may be willing to take a pill if it doesnt require a prescription."

That seems like wanting to avoid something to me she must know that any medication to help her would be prescribed.

Seems like she wants to avoid being labeled as something but to get any help she has no choice even if nothing is prescribed they are going to you are this or that.

A bit late, this also got my attention.

GR, talk with her if there is something she maybe is afraid to reveal to you about herself. It probbaly is not the case, but stories like this have happened: that somebody denied to meet a doctor becasue it would reveal to a loved one something the person wanted to hide. Pregnancy? Drug abuse? Signs of violence experienced at home? A genetically inherited disease in her family?

Talk with her, but be indirect and careful when asking for these or other possible factors.

People also avoid doctors because they are paralysed by fear over a diagnosis of something bad. If so, she feels like a deer in a searchlight right now. I'm sure you know how to handle her in that case.

Go easy, but secure definite answers to above questions.

CaptainHaplo · 02-28-12, 08:04 PM

Professional help is the first thing. However, with a "monthly cycle" - it may be more than just bipolar disorder. That's an extremely fast up and down swing. 4 cycles a year is considered "rapid" for a bipolar individual - your talking 12 cycles a year.

At the risk of complicating the issue - how does this coincide with her menstrual cycle? Its very likely this could be related to the hormonal changes she goes through, and if so - her OB/GYN would be a good first step to talk to. Especially since she seems adverse to being "stigmatized" with a diagnosis. If its not hormonally related, the door has opened so that it will be easier to get her more professional treatment.

If she is unwilling - and you are determined to help her through this - then you can also enlist the aid of a homeopath to start. A good one can provide her with a diet that will help "balance" some of those brain chemicals that cause the episodes you see. Its not as good as a professional in the field, but you can't MAKE her do what is needed - and its sometimes wise not to jump into mental health conclusions. You go see a Dr. with "we think she has XYZ" and they are likely to just confirm it and treat the symptoms - not the cause.

GoldenRivet · 02-28-12, 08:16 PM

she has an aversion to traditional medication and injections

partly because she is scared of needles

party because her mother became an addict and she was removed from her home life at a young age and placed with other family members.

add those two together and you have a recipe for someone who is hard core about new age medicine

She wont even take Asprin or Tylenol... but im sure i can get her to do something when we spend some time talking this weekend.

who knows? its tough when you end up caring for someone who either has bipolar disorder - or just sort of seems like they do.

CaptainHaplo · 02-28-12, 09:00 PM

GR - I went through a heart rending situation a couple of years ago because of the depression of someone I cared for. All I can say is stay strong, respect that the other person has a perspective you can partially understand, but never fully. Be supportive as you can be, but don't sacrifice who you are in trying to help them.

If I can offer support in any way, let me know.

Skybird · 02-29-12, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

hard core about new age medicine

VERY BAD IDEA.

Stop her from depending on that exclusively. Even shoot her in the leg if that is needed to stop her from going there.

Esoteric dumbheads should be held responsible by penalty law code for what they write and tell other people.

GoldenRivet · 02-29-12, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

VERY BAD IDEA.

Stop her from depending on that exclusively. Even shoot her in the leg if that is needed to stop her from going there.

Esoteric dumbheads should be held responsible by penalty law code for what they write and tell other people.

I agree

my motto is "better living through chemistry"

to my credit i did manage to get her to take a tylenol for a headache a few weeks ago.

02-28-12, 08:04 PM	#17
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Professional help is the first thing. However, with a "monthly cycle" - it may be more than just bipolar disorder. That's an extremely fast up and down swing. 4 cycles a year is considered "rapid" for a bipolar individual - your talking 12 cycles a year. At the risk of complicating the issue - how does this coincide with her menstrual cycle? Its very likely this could be related to the hormonal changes she goes through, and if so - her OB/GYN would be a good first step to talk to. Especially since she seems adverse to being "stigmatized" with a diagnosis. If its not hormonally related, the door has opened so that it will be easier to get her more professional treatment. If she is unwilling - and you are determined to help her through this - then you can also enlist the aid of a homeopath to start. A good one can provide her with a diet that will help "balance" some of those brain chemicals that cause the episodes you see. Its not as good as a professional in the field, but you can't MAKE her do what is needed - and its sometimes wise not to jump into mental health conclusions. You go see a Dr. with "we think she has XYZ" and they are likely to just confirm it and treat the symptoms - not the cause. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

02-28-12, 08:16 PM	#18
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	she has an aversion to traditional medication and injections partly because she is scared of needles party because her mother became an addict and she was removed from her home life at a young age and placed with other family members. add those two together and you have a recipe for someone who is hard core about new age medicine She wont even take Asprin or Tylenol... but im sure i can get her to do something when we spend some time talking this weekend. who knows? its tough when you end up caring for someone who either has bipolar disorder - or just sort of seems like they do. __________________

02-28-12, 09:00 PM	#19
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	GR - I went through a heart rending situation a couple of years ago because of the depression of someone I cared for. All I can say is stay strong, respect that the other person has a perspective you can partially understand, but never fully. Be supportive as you can be, but don't sacrifice who you are in trying to help them. If I can offer support in any way, let me know. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo