Can BIPOLAR people REALLY function?!
Question: i have a relative who is bipolar. She has been doing
medication adjustmenets since Dec.
She is not doing well at all.
Lithium ruined her kidneys..so that is no longer an option.
Compared to how she is now..it worked wonders.
Is there hope?
She is currently taking Geodon..it is NOT working...
Answers: i have a relative who is bipolar. She has been doing
medication adjustmenets since Dec.
She is not doing well at all.
Lithium ruined her kidneys..so that is no longer an option.
Compared to how she is now..it worked wonders.
Is there hope?
She is currently taking Geodon..it is NOT working...
People with bipolar mood disorder can function depending on a lot of things. Firstly, how severe is the disorder? The worse it is the less likely the patient will be to function well in day-to-day life on thier own. (Mine fluctuates and thus I function variably.) Secondly, is thier medication working for them? There are a large number of medications available. Some of them were never designed for bipolar disorder at all, but work none the less. Also they may work for a time and then cease to do so. When a new medication is begun it can take several weeks (perhaps as many as 8 or 10) for real effects to become apparent. Also it can take a substantial period of time to discover which medication works best for a given patient (I call this the Medication Tango.) Thirdly, how is the patients working relationship with thier treatment team? This team includes thier primary therapist, thier community access worker or nurse, possibly a nurse or some other person from a public health department, thier family, thier significant other if this is applicable (and not everyone can handle the immense stresses of livingwith a bipolar person; please don't hate them if they leave), a pastor, priest or shaman.Finally is the bipolar disorder complicated by another, or other, disorder(s)? Suffering with other mental or physical ailments can have an immense impact on how well the patient functions outside in the community, or even within thier home. In conclusion, my answer would be that some persons with bipolar mood disorder function well, some function well for periods of time, and other simply never will. Sad, but there you have it.
I have a bi-polar uncle who has been on and off medication, and every time you stop and re-start the medicine looses some of it's effect. My uncle unfortunately has done that so much that medicine is ineffective for him now. So I know what it feels like (the hopeless feeling). For some unfortunately they can't really function in society without being a menace. But I know a lot of bi-polar people who can. All you can do with you relative is by supporting and not give up.
Good Morning,
I encourage you to read this article. Hopefully, it will help you with your relative. Never be afraid to ask questions, as the only stupid question is the one not asked.
http://www.pendulum.org/bpnews/archive/0...
Take care
My husband just got out of the hospital, there were supposed to give him meds that he could work while taking them. Well needless to say he can't they make him high as a kite./ He quit taking them, got paranoid and quit his job. So, i would have to say no, they can't function normally.
I am really a successful survivor. In and out of hospitals for 9 years/ECT's/suicide attempts/countless meds/major depression and finally diagnosed BP II. Found the right pdoc and meds (lithium/lamictal) and actually back to work full-time. It was a struggle, and still is everyday. Have been working over 2 years now, and face mental illness stigma every day too.
I wish your relative the best....life with mental illness is a very big struggle and people don't realize how much of a sacrifice we make in life living with it. Take care.
Check out my blog, it may answer some questions:
http://cherished79.wordpress.com