Comments on: Post a Question

By: Candida Fink MD

Candida Fink MD — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:52:41 +0000

Hi Patrick – this very situation is one of the most difficult ones in the medical treatment of bipolar disorder. Depression is actually the more frequent mood cycle and causes terrible problems in people’s lives – but it is unclear how best to use the antidepressants in treatment of bipolar depression. This is something you must discuss in detail with your doctor – ask lots of questoins – seek a seond opinion if you feel unclear on what your doctor is suggesting and why.
Best of luck to you!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:08:20 +0000

Hi everyone. I am a 25/M with Bipolar I and have been on medication since I was 15. I have been in the hospital 4 times (once for detox). Last summer, I had my first full blown manic episode with voices and excessive spending (declared bankruptcy). I never want to have that happen again, which is why the doctor took me off of Effexor and Wellbutrin. However, now I am only on mood stabilizers (Tegretol, Lithium and Abilify) and I am so depressed I can’t function. My question is should I start just one antidepressant to get me out of this depressed state, so I can work again, even though it runs the risk of throwing me into another manic state? Thanks.

By: kelly

kelly — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:48:15 +0000

My girlfriend has bipolar disorder and will get get mad at me for the smallest things. I don’t know how to react to her. Her reactions seem very immature and overblown. She seems to think that everything i do is to hurt her. ITs like what normal people would think a problem is a 3 she sees it as an 11. i don’t know how to talk to her when she gets in these moods. its like nothing i say will make it better. I try to be the adult about it and she tells me not to try to fix everything. But if i fight back to tell my side she just shuts down and doesn’t try to talk it through. I know in her mind she thinks that she is right so whats the best way to handle those situations?

By: Joe Kraynak

Joe Kraynak — Sat, 15 May 2010 17:07:18 +0000

Hi, Karen–

This is an excellent question about a dilemma that many loved ones find themselves in. Our usual answer is that “you can’t do much unless the person is posing a physical danger to herself or others.” But that’s not a solution.

Your friend’s husband needs to realize that what’s going on is probably an illness and not just some inexplicable personality change. It may or may not be bipolar disorder. Hormone imbalances, thyroid malfunction, and a host of other possibilities exist. He may need to get the kids out of harm’s way, but he needs to stick around and help her.

Is there any way you, your friend’s husband, and perhaps other friends and family members can get together and speak with her as a group? Keep it low-key and non-confrontational… express your love and concern, your observations, and your desire to get her help. No threats or ultimatums. Encourage her to see her doctor for a complete checkup. Her doctor may be able to take it from there. Doctors are better able than you in calling for a forced hospitalization if that is necessary.

Dr. Fink and I will be working on a post to address this dilemma more formally. Until then, keep being a good friend and don’t give up on trying to help. When your friend is well, she will probably appreciate your determination even if she gets furious about it now. Very likely, she can’t see that anything is wrong with her. She will be able to see only when she is well.

By: karen

karen — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:37:26 +0000

I have a friend who I am very concerned about and need direction as to how I can help her. We have been friends for 30 years now. She had been on Prozac and stopped taking it 3 months ago. She told me it was for depression, but I see WAY more than depression going on.

One day she will call me in complete tears, just crying and repeating herself (not always making complete sense or taking something small and blowing it way out of proportion).

The next day (or even hour) she will call talking non-stop; you can not get a word in edge-wise. She doesn’t listen, she just talks, talks, talks!

Lately, the past 3 months, she has called and left me voice mails or sent emails or text that are out of left field. Accusing me of not being her friend, calling me a bitch (which in 30 years she has never spoken a harsh word to me). This is happening constantly. I don’t know how to help her,or what to even say any longer. She is attacking me for no reason, for now I have chose to remain silent. I feel like i am turning my back on her but she doesn’t hear me anyway.

Her family is beside themselves. Her husband of 23 years is ready to take the kids and walk. He said she wont go to a Dr. and she is getting worse by the day. She is self medicating with drinking alcohol and it is making things that much worse. From what i understand she is treating her closest friends like we are the enemy. What can you do to help someone like this? I love her dearly and miss my friend.