Bipolar - manic or depressive? (Long post, sorry) - Page 3 - GoFuckYourself.com

Tala · 04-02-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDSmith

On another note, I find it quite funny in a 'funny' sort of way that a lot of people (and I mean a LOT) tend to drown their sorrows with alcohol, which is a depressant.

Truth is stranger than fiction.

Indeed so.

100 fucked up folks.

SMG · 04-02-2005, 03:03 PM

I've been all but diagnosed it ... shrink tried prescribing me risperdal and/or abilify but didnt actually say "you're bipolar", sister was diagnosed and its genetic, have a long history of episodes, lost 3 jobs and dropped out of college due to episodes...

Shoehorn! · 04-02-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tala

Brought this over from another thread where it was totally off topic.

Bipolar Disorder is what was once called Manic-Depression. There's something wrong with the neurons or the receivers in your brain, preventing the mood stabilization that normal people have.

Those of us with the disorder tend to have "cycles" of up and down periods. Keep in mind that normal people can do this, but we are the extreme version. According to my doctor, a normal person usually cycles between sadness and happiness on a regular basis, with more of a normal feeling of everyday regularity for a longer period of time. Usually their sadness/anger/joy etc. will only last a day or two, thus the old saying, "having one of those days."

A bipolar person often goes through that cycle in a day. I was going through it several times a week, making me volitile and depressed one moment, king of the world the next with no way of knowing which mood would strike when.

I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder - depressive tendancies. This means that I tend to get really high and happy before falling into a very deep depression that can last hours or days or months.

The drugs I'm on help so much it's incredible. I don't do the whole depressed thing for very long anymore, maybe just a day like everyone else, then I'm fine again. I still get sad, I'm not a zombie, but I'm "up" more.

Anyone else here have the same disorder? On drugs? How do you cope?

I've been on several types of medication for depression/anxiety and rage and they would help for a few weeks or months, but then it seemed like they would stop working. Going to a shrink helped when I was there talking about it, but there was still the rest of the week where I wasn't thtere and had to try and deal with shit on my own. Finally one day after being on one of the medications, (Zyprexa I think it was), and it making me wake up feeling dizzy and puking, I said fuck this and stopped it all. I still have ups and downs, more downs than ups, although lately its been better, but I don't have to take medication everyday. Some days I feel great, some days I can't leave my house. Some anti-depressants actually make depression worse, or so I've read. I didn't want to have to take a pill for the rest of my life, so I am trying to deal with it on my own and by hanging out with people who don't bring me down.

CoreAdult-Dee · 04-02-2005, 04:43 PM

You know, I think this has to be one of the all time best threads I have ever read. No, it might not be "business" but I have a feeling a lot of people in this business have this disorder to varying degrees.

SMG · 04-02-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoreAdult-Dee

You know, I think this has to be one of the all time best threads I have ever read. No, it might not be "business" but I have a feeling a lot of people in this business have this disorder to varying degrees.

It's how I got into it :-P I walked out on my job and decided I'd just get cash on the internet

Sassy Girl · 04-02-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furious_Female

I would rather go through life being moody than live in a cloud world or artifically change my mind.

Another completely ignorant statement. Anti Depressants do not artificially change your mind. It's a chemical imbalance. They give your brain the chemicals that its lacking. It puts things back the way they are supposed to be. It's no different than taking insulin when you are diabetic or taking Iron when your blood is low.

SMG · 04-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassy Girl

Another completely ignorant statement. Anti Depressants do not artificially change your mind. It's a chemical imbalance. They give your brain the chemicals that its lacking. It puts things back the way they are supposed to be. It's no different than taking insulin when you are diabetic or taking Iron when your blood is low.

Antidepressants alone are a NO for bipolar, they'll trigger manic episodes. Typically antidepressants are only prescribed along with a mood stabilizer like lithium, and those DO leave you in a cloud, I agree with furious_female on that and thats why I refused drugs when a shrink tried to put me on them.

Tala · 04-02-2005, 06:00 PM

I am on welbutirin, which is the anti-depressant, along with seraquil which is the stabilizer. It's worked wonders for me. Add to that some Zoloft on occasion and I'm a happy girl.

SureFire · 04-02-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tala

I am on welbutirin, which is the anti-depressant, along with seraquil which is the stabilizer. It's worked wonders for me. Add to that some Zoloft on occasion and I'm a happy girl.

Tala and others this is a very good book to read: Soul Murder: The Effects of Childhood Abuse and Deprivation
by LEONARD SHENGOLD

Nothing wrong with taking meds but sometimes understanding and dealing with past issues help. The book is a bit clinical to wade through yet it might hit home.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0449...67#reader-link

Furious_Female · 04-02-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassy Girl

Another completely ignorant statement. Anti Depressants do not artificially change your mind. It's a chemical imbalance. They give your brain the chemicals that its lacking. It puts things back the way they are supposed to be. It's no different than taking insulin when you are diabetic or taking Iron when your blood is low.

Excuse me but, where did I say anything about anti-depressants? I'm talking about narcotics and other drugs that leave you in a funk. Whether something "restores" what should be there or not, it's still altering your mind artificially and I am against interfering with the brain in any way.

Anti-depressants and other drugs don't stop their affect at the brain. They can have negative effects on your organs, especially if taken in a dangerous combination.

Like I said before, a lot of us have underlying reasons for our depression and/or mood swings. Anti-depressants or any other drug to "cure" this, is merely putting a band aid on a gaping wound, because it's not addressing the underlying cause(s). It's rare that people are depressed for no reason at all. There's something (no matter how minor it might be) bringing them down and there's more options than medications to deal with this.

Tala · 04-02-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoreAdult-Dee

You know, I think this has to be one of the all time best threads I have ever read. No, it might not be "business" but I have a feeling a lot of people in this business have this disorder to varying degrees.

Thank you, and I agree, I think there are a great many who don't even realize they have a problem.

But hey, a little madness helps.

iwantchixx · 04-03-2005, 12:57 AM

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Depression in the fall when I had a nervous breakdown waiting for my son to be born. I was a nervous wreck and was starting to get violent with people. Turns out my moods had stability issues. I was prescribed trileptol, an anti seizure drug, to stabilize the mood. It worked great because angry mood swings are considered mini seizures.

When I started taking them I felt not right at all. Thoughts of death, not of suicide, but just worry that I might kill myself. I was literally terrified. Scared I'd snap and kill myself in a violent car crash or lose control and drop myself on a knife. I had to stop driving for 6 months and hide knives under other dishes so it was out of mind so I could enjoy my meal in peace. I just got back behind the wheel a month or so ago and I feel fine now. I didn't want to die but the thoughts and actions were always in my head. I guess it's quite normal with bipolar and even with normal depression. It's only when you want to die that it becomes dangerous.

To combat those thoughts so I can lead a normal day without worry I was prescribed Risperidone, better known as risperidol. THAT really fucked with me hardcore. I couldn't stay up past midnight even if I tried. Everything was confusing and overwhelming for me. I would even wake up and be UNABLE to talk. I would try to and feel totally like I could not communicate, like there was a third person there cutting me off but there was only two of us. This happened a few times and made me feel really awful.

As time went on, the two drugs mellowed out in my system. It came to a point where I didn't even notice them anymore. I eventually cut myself off of the two because they cause liver damage and weight gain but I think I'm fine now.

The long term psychological effects of these types of drugs is something not to be desired. I still get odd feelings of being overwhelmed but I have learned how to deal with them without having to go see a doc for meds. I just take the rest of the day off work and I'm fine. It's stress triggered it seems.

Anger management classes have also helped control the mood swings and violent behaviour. I have reprogrammed myself. Although, I still have days where I feel like I'm going to freak out and launch my GF out a window but that's just because she likes to nit pick and be sarcastic with everything I say. I got her reading my anger management course material and she's learning how to communicate better so we don't argue as much.
All in all, I recommend you try ways to deal with bi-polar that doesn't involve medication. It can really make you feel worse off than you were to begin with for a couple months. Take an anger management course even if you don't have anger problems from bipolar. It teaches you how to deal with everyday things and let things roll off your shoulder much easier thus your mood swings are less severe. I highly recommend it. Also, there seems to be a connection between being a night owl and the severity of bipolar swings. Lack of daylight seems to make your whole world more gloomy and your mind more prone to go into mood swings. Set a schedule and STICK to it. Work from 7am til 4pm and walk away from the office after that and enjoy life. Head to bed around 11 every night. I got myself back into my damn night owl mode and I can feel the effects of it already. I'm impossible to please and to deal with. So I postponed a client's work until Monday so I could get to bed around 5am, wake at 1pm then go to bed at 2am Sunday night. By Monday I'll be back to normal and feeling human again.

iwantchixx · 04-03-2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tala

I am on welbutirin, which is the anti-depressant, along with seraquil which is the stabilizer. It's worked wonders for me. Add to that some Zoloft on occasion and I'm a happy girl.

I'm starting to think that zoloft is the cause of most mood disorders. Everyone I know who was on it before are now suffering either anger or bipolar disorders. I was on the stuff for many years and I honnestly think it fucked my head a bit.

MicroChick · 04-03-2005, 02:32 AM

Not seeking help is dangerous...to you, and to those in your life.

I have known many manic depressive aka bi-polar people, and they are in hell. The highs are so high that they ruin their lives with inappropriate acts. One friend took his credit cards and used all of them to the max and ruined his credit. He took items from friends and gave them away. He thought he was invincible. He remembered what he had done, but had absolutely no control over his actions.

Then he would sink into despair, feeling suicidal and depressed for days and weeks. When he was feeling depressed, he felt the need for help. When he was in a manic mood, he refused to take his medication. He never found medication that worked for him. Lithium left him with permanent numbness in his feet

You must seek help as soon as you realize you have moods which last too long, both high and low. If you are lucky, someone close to you will help you.

Those who have never experienced these extreme mood changes and those who have never known bi-polar people should not be speaking in this thread. Don't you think sick people deserve to be treated? I have never known a bi-polar person who didn't want to cure himself without medication.

You are a strong individual if you try and try to find the right medication for yourself and stick to a program.

Those who sit back and do nothing will remain in their own private hell. By the way, how is Amp doing?

$5 submissions · 04-03-2005, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkJedi

if you can't deal with shit without drugs, you = weak.

Realizing one has a problem and getting help is NOT weakness. Real weakness is trying to deny the problem.

Zerof8 · 04-03-2005, 02:59 AM

the only problem with psychiatric(spelling) disorders is that they are hard to diagnose and that unfortunately often leads to misdiagnoses in many cases. For instance ADD. Soooo many kids are given ridallin(spelling again,lol) each year that dont have a problem simply because teachers cant handle their natural exuberance(spelling once more)
Lens have you ever thought of adding a spell check on here?

uno · 04-03-2005, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head

Non-drugs alternatives agsist but drug companies don't want you to know about them.

St. John's Wort, 5htp, that horrible smelling herb... um... i can't remember.

5htp is amazing. It's the secondary metabolic precursor to serotonin. Serotonin = happy juice. It's like the stuff in turkey that makes you sleepy. Increased serotonin levels can help with everything from better sleep, losing weight, quitting smoking, general mood elevation, etc. Too much serotonin isn't good so consult your doctor about mixing it with prescriptions or even other over the counter stuff.

sjoerdv · 04-03-2005, 04:36 AM

Been diagnosed as bipolar 12 years ago. Started Lithium again 6 weeks ago. Main reason is that living with a bipolar disorder is making me and the people around me very tired. For the people who think you can cure bipolar with going to a gym and take therapy pls read more about this disorder. It has been proved to be a chemical problem in the brain. The use of Lithium makes sure I don't make a financial mess of my life in manic periods. Furthermore I don't have to suffer periods of depression almost all of the time. It's not bad to feel depressed from time to time but believe me, being depressed almost everyday is no fun.

com · 04-03-2005, 05:08 AM

All in all I find it astounding, for every waking moment of my life there's a new pill being pushed to suppress/stimulate/enlargen/tone/every aspect of my body and every part of my life. and I have to aggree with DarkJedi... let's turn the dials back a few years... I don't see anyone hearding sheep, stacking hay, or running cattle complaining that Doc. John couldn't supply their Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the day, so they can't get on with their life, which feeds their survival. Somehow, after you remove the silk-lining, this day-to-day habbit of "staying normal" dies off, and the "truth" sets in... once all your friends and drugs are gone... what the fuck are you going to do?

com · 04-03-2005, 05:25 AM

I guess my woes are just slightly more colorful than most... liquor lined with lsd always puts a smile on me ;)

04-02-2005, 03:03 PM	#102
SMG Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,798	I've been all but diagnosed it ... shrink tried prescribing me risperdal and/or abilify but didnt actually say "you're bipolar", sister was diagnosed and its genetic, have a long history of episodes, lost 3 jobs and dropped out of college due to episodes... __________________ TGP Webmasters: sign up for the top 100 tgp list! Submit galleries If you add me to icq (title) make sure to mention GFY or I'll think you're a bot and deny you.

04-02-2005, 04:43 PM	#104
CoreAdult-Dee Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 187	You know, I think this has to be one of the all time best threads I have ever read. No, it might not be "business" but I have a feeling a lot of people in this business have this disorder to varying degrees. __________________ Professional design, development, and "grunt work" for webmasters and sponsors at reasonable prices. NOT OFFSHORED. ICQ: 312068826 ::: AIM: CoreAdult :: Check us out

04-02-2005, 06:00 PM	#108
Tala Fucked if I know Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Do you have a flag? Posts: 23,368	I am on welbutirin, which is the anti-depressant, along with seraquil which is the stabilizer. It's worked wonders for me. Add to that some Zoloft on occasion and I'm a happy girl. __________________ ICQ: 11120676 \| Google: mindcrime \| Skype: suitemindcrime\|E-Mail: mindcrime AT gmail.com\|PR girl with great writing skills for hire!!!! Contact me to work for YOU!\|TECHIEMEDIA? 24/7 support from some of the best techs in the biz. Tell Jim that I sent you.

04-03-2005, 02:59 AM	#116
Zerof8 Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,245	the only problem with psychiatric(spelling) disorders is that they are hard to diagnose and that unfortunately often leads to misdiagnoses in many cases. For instance ADD. Soooo many kids are given ridallin(spelling again,lol) each year that dont have a problem simply because teachers cant handle their natural exuberance(spelling once more) Lens have you ever thought of adding a spell check on here? __________________ SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60. Let me repeat... A 120 x 60 button and no more that 3 lines of DEFAULT SIZE AND COLOR text.

04-03-2005, 05:08 AM	#119
com Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 4,541	All in all I find it astounding, for every waking moment of my life there's a new pill being pushed to suppress/stimulate/enlargen/tone/every aspect of my body and every part of my life. and I have to aggree with DarkJedi... let's turn the dials back a few years... I don't see anyone hearding sheep, stacking hay, or running cattle complaining that Doc. John couldn't supply their Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the day, so they can't get on with their life, which feeds their survival. Somehow, after you remove the silk-lining, this day-to-day habbit of "staying normal" dies off, and the "truth" sets in... once all your friends and drugs are gone... what the fuck are you going to do? __________________ Real. Professional. Hosting. .:Expect Nothing Less:. 320-078-843 :: www.realprohosting.com :: [email protected] Last edited by com; 04-03-2005 at 05:10 AM..

04-03-2005, 12:57 AM	#112
iwantchixx Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Boonies Posts: 12,860	I was diagnosed with Bipolar Depression in the fall when I had a nervous breakdown waiting for my son to be born. I was a nervous wreck and was starting to get violent with people. Turns out my moods had stability issues. I was prescribed trileptol, an anti seizure drug, to stabilize the mood. It worked great because angry mood swings are considered mini seizures. When I started taking them I felt not right at all. Thoughts of death, not of suicide, but just worry that I might kill myself. I was literally terrified. Scared I'd snap and kill myself in a violent car crash or lose control and drop myself on a knife. I had to stop driving for 6 months and hide knives under other dishes so it was out of mind so I could enjoy my meal in peace. I just got back behind the wheel a month or so ago and I feel fine now. I didn't want to die but the thoughts and actions were always in my head. I guess it's quite normal with bipolar and even with normal depression. It's only when you want to die that it becomes dangerous. To combat those thoughts so I can lead a normal day without worry I was prescribed Risperidone, better known as risperidol. THAT really fucked with me hardcore. I couldn't stay up past midnight even if I tried. Everything was confusing and overwhelming for me. I would even wake up and be UNABLE to talk. I would try to and feel totally like I could not communicate, like there was a third person there cutting me off but there was only two of us. This happened a few times and made me feel really awful. As time went on, the two drugs mellowed out in my system. It came to a point where I didn't even notice them anymore. I eventually cut myself off of the two because they cause liver damage and weight gain but I think I'm fine now. The long term psychological effects of these types of drugs is something not to be desired. I still get odd feelings of being overwhelmed but I have learned how to deal with them without having to go see a doc for meds. I just take the rest of the day off work and I'm fine. It's stress triggered it seems. Anger management classes have also helped control the mood swings and violent behaviour. I have reprogrammed myself. Although, I still have days where I feel like I'm going to freak out and launch my GF out a window but that's just because she likes to nit pick and be sarcastic with everything I say. I got her reading my anger management course material and she's learning how to communicate better so we don't argue as much. All in all, I recommend you try ways to deal with bi-polar that doesn't involve medication. It can really make you feel worse off than you were to begin with for a couple months. Take an anger management course even if you don't have anger problems from bipolar. It teaches you how to deal with everyday things and let things roll off your shoulder much easier thus your mood swings are less severe. I highly recommend it. Also, there seems to be a connection between being a night owl and the severity of bipolar swings. Lack of daylight seems to make your whole world more gloomy and your mind more prone to go into mood swings. Set a schedule and STICK to it. Work from 7am til 4pm and walk away from the office after that and enjoy life. Head to bed around 11 every night. I got myself back into my damn night owl mode and I can feel the effects of it already. I'm impossible to please and to deal with. So I postponed a client's work until Monday so I could get to bed around 5am, wake at 1pm then go to bed at 2am Sunday night. By Monday I'll be back to normal and feeling human again.

04-03-2005, 02:32 AM	#114
MicroChick Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,277	Not seeking help is dangerous...to you, and to those in your life. I have known many manic depressive aka bi-polar people, and they are in hell. The highs are so high that they ruin their lives with inappropriate acts. One friend took his credit cards and used all of them to the max and ruined his credit. He took items from friends and gave them away. He thought he was invincible. He remembered what he had done, but had absolutely no control over his actions. Then he would sink into despair, feeling suicidal and depressed for days and weeks. When he was feeling depressed, he felt the need for help. When he was in a manic mood, he refused to take his medication. He never found medication that worked for him. Lithium left him with permanent numbness in his feet You must seek help as soon as you realize you have moods which last too long, both high and low. If you are lucky, someone close to you will help you. Those who have never experienced these extreme mood changes and those who have never known bi-polar people should not be speaking in this thread. Don't you think sick people deserve to be treated? I have never known a bi-polar person who didn't want to cure himself without medication. You are a strong individual if you try and try to find the right medication for yourself and stick to a program. Those who sit back and do nothing will remain in their own private hell. By the way, how is Amp doing?

04-03-2005, 04:36 AM	#118
sjoerdv Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South America Posts: 350	Been diagnosed as bipolar 12 years ago. Started Lithium again 6 weeks ago. Main reason is that living with a bipolar disorder is making me and the people around me very tired. For the people who think you can cure bipolar with going to a gym and take therapy pls read more about this disorder. It has been proved to be a chemical problem in the brain. The use of Lithium makes sure I don't make a financial mess of my life in manic periods. Furthermore I don't have to suffer periods of depression almost all of the time. It's not bad to feel depressed from time to time but believe me, being depressed almost everyday is no fun.

04-03-2005, 05:25 AM	#120
com Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 4,541	I guess my woes are just slightly more colorful than most... liquor lined with lsd always puts a smile on me ;) __________________ Real. Professional. Hosting. .:Expect Nothing Less:. 320-078-843 :: www.realprohosting.com :: [email protected]