My best friend's brother is bipolar. He's my best guy friend too. She and her mother are having a hard time accepting the situation. Since we've become so close(she and her mother with me) I would appreciate any support or pointer from any one that has been in this situation.
120863
Help the brother and you will help the family. \nIt's not something they need to learn to 'accept' but is something they have accepted his entire life without having a name to it, the brother is the man who needs your support if you're going to give it to anyone. He's just been given a life-long psychological stigma attached to his name and to his moods, and now his family thinks that they are the ones that need the help? Hopefully he will seek out treatment, and hopefully his friends and family will get over the fact that he's been called bi-polar. \n\nI read a good book about depression based on a girl's own life- Prosac Nation. I know that your friend is not 'depressed' but being bi-polar means that he will go through manic and depressed states, and this book can help you realize what a burden it is to him, not only to now be called 'bi-polar' but to go through what he is.
463843
Don't know what we can do to help you.  My best friend's son is the same way, if that's any consolation.  You bring them up the best that you can, you make your mistakes but every does.  They have choices to make and it sounds like your son made a bad choice valueing money more than the mother that gave birth to him.  Try telling him how you feel and just pray for him.  That's all I can think of to tell you.  Good luck.  I know it hurts.
401720
I am Bipolar and let me just tell you, the last thing a person who has this disorder wants to hear is criticism for having it. \n\nYou may not have the intention of criticizing your friend you may just be concerned. I know when people say things like that to me my first thought and first reaction is self- defense.\n" I hear you are imperfect for something you didn't ask for and are struggling to change but I won't be sensitive to this situation I will instead make you feel bad about it until you change."\n\nIf you feel the need to say something I suggest saying something like " friend are how are you moods, do you still feel this , I don't know much but I think you should talk to your doctor about still feeling this and that.... Bcus i want to help you and I am starting to worry.\n\nLength of time someone has been medicated is also a problem it's takes about a couple of months before the medications are doing what they are supposed to being doing. And even still there is the chance that they are having leaking symptoms. \n\nLol i wrote a lot but i guess my whole deal was if you feel the need to say something. Choose your words wisely
491630
Shouldn't you guys be ecstatic that your best friend is actually yuor triplet? You guys should tell her and be excited about it and i think she would be too. If you can't tell her get your parents/guardians to tell her.
73461
Even when genetic, there is no sure proof that you or your siblings will get it as well, there is a certain level of self awareness that bipolar victims don't have, as long as you remain emotionally balanced and maintain high self confidence, I don't see how much of a possibility it would be for you to get it as well.
433796
Were you aware of her diagnosis before marrying her and were you educated? I work with chronic mentally ill people and believe you me I know what you are talking about. It takes a very strong person to deal with BPD.  I have never seen anyone with BPD get better with age. They just learn bigger and better ways of getting attention. Very hard to deal with especially when they are in the world of "ME" that is how I describe them. They are worse than any 12 year old.  I think it depends on how much you are willing to put into this marriage and if you have the strength. I have a friend who stayed in his marriage for 16 years (has 11 yr old daughter he has custody of now) and I watched him suffer dealing with her being hospitalized and she was really abusive. He thought he was obligated to take care of her, therefore, neglecting himself. He is now divorced from her and still at times keeps in touch just to be sure she is safe. She is doing fine. They know how to get their way. Anyway, it just depends on you and how strong you are. Are you willing to live this way the rest of your life? Good Luck to you and God Bless!!!
325493
this sounds all too familiar to me. you just described my brother.\nusually, when young there is no sign of (or little sign of) mental illness. typically, there is some sort of stresser that will make it come out (with avengance, i'm sure you would agree).\nhonestly, i don't know what to say except love him for being your brother and realize that this will never pass and it will get worse. i'm sorry to be so blunt with you.\nfinding others in the same boat helped my brother a great deal, but we also happen to be in an area with lots of m.r. and m.h. help and services.\nGOD BE WITH YOU (i'm not a religous freak - just spiritual)
644647
I had a husband who had bipolar disorder.  It was severe. He got arrested, shoplifted, embezzled from his jobs, was addicted to porn, chatted in porn chat rooms and eventually met up with the women he met on line, screamed, yelled, lied, broke things, slept for days, had obsessive compulsive symptoms, was addicted to Nyquil, alcohol, etc.\n\nAfter doing an intervention and telling him he either needed to get some serious help or I would leave him, he told me no.  So I left him.  He has a new girlfriend now and she has two young children.  I worry for them, but you MUST understand that this is her life's journey and it is no longer your place to save her or HIM for that matter.  Let them be.  You live your life now. I have a child with mine too and the best I can do is love her all I can, help her understand her father's illness and let them have once a week visits, but never overnight.\n\nAll of those things you are describing about her behavior are illness related. It doesn't help that she didn't seem to have a solid spiritual grounding either.\n\nGood luck to you in the future. I hope it helps to at least know others have been through this and come through it ok.
233858
You and she are in my prayers.  I had a really awesome best friend who went into a diabetic coma in her sleep (she was type I DM) a few years ago and never came to.  I know the feelings you are experiencing and only God can comfort those who suffer because He truly knows their hearts and what is going on.  I pray you are able to find comfort =)
287639
Yes. My mother is bipolar, and she can be very aggressive anyways, and drinking increases the aggressive behavior. Not to mention the fact that bipolar people should be on regular medications, medications that do not mix well with alcohol. Make sure he is on his medications, ask him to stop drinking, suggest he makes an appointment with his psychiatrist. Perhaps you may join in on a session or two with him.
305653
I TALK TO MY MOM .MY BEST FRIEND EVERY DAY . I TELL HER THAT, I DO LOVE HER EVERY DAY ,SHE IS 75 YEARS OLD .WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME IN THE DOCTOR OFFICE AND THE HOSPITAL -3 DAYS LAST WEEK .2 DAYS THIS WEEK .5 HOURS TUESDAY . WE GET THE GIGGLES .THEY ARE CHECKING FOR CANCER . I HOPE I GET TO KEEP MY BEST FRIEND
205205
My mother was bipolar and had to take Lithium all of her life.  This was something that she was born with and finally when she was in her early thirties she was diagnosed and received treatment.  She suffered a lot in her life, but once she got medication and therapy to understand her mental illness, she was more able to cope and be happier in her life.  It was 1972 when she started Lithium.  Today doctors know so much more about this illnes which stems from having a chemical inbalance.  I think it is a good thing that your son has been diagnosed now instead of years form now.  He will be in treatment and he will be helped.  Early intervention is on his side.  Be thankful that he is getting help now and hopefully will be avoiding years of unbearable pain.  Before my mother was diagnosed she tried multiple ties to commit suicide.  I am hopeful that your son won't go through that because he is getting help now!  He will learn with the help of therapy and faithfully taking his medications how to cope with this.  As far as you feeling guilty, this is a normal reaction considering he is your son, your flesh and blood.  But, the truth of the matter is that you are not to blame.  He was born with this.  It has to do with the makeup of the brain. You are being supportive and doing the right thing to let the professionals take over at this point.  Remember, you got him the help that he needs.  You love him and you'll be there for him.  I hope this helps you.  Hang in there, you sound like a good mom!
646867
I am also bipolar, and very knowledgeable about the illness.. The doctor always knows best but has no real chance of being in a position to help if he has to make guesses at her condition. \nI am thinking that perhaps her bipolar disorder may have morphed into a more serious combination of many different afflictions as a result of her age and the traumatic loss of her life partner..\nFind a way to speak with her doctor or psychiatrist and explain the finer details of her actions.. she may not be honest with him because of the paranoia of how he might try to help.. might be schizophrenia, dementia, post traumatic stress disorder.. or even being bipolar with new tendencies (it gets much worse over time, especially when treatment is abandoned and she stops the meds) \nlook into these possibilities. Doctors know best, always.. but they need your help to be effective, especially in your grandmothers case.. when she isn't being very cooperative and taking a much more proactive approach towards her own wellbeing. She needs her medicine.. and she needs your help to get this under control. It seems that she is in a bad spot with being so mixed up in all of the emotions of what is happening all around her. Powerlessness is a horrible thing.. it seems she desperatly needs a helping hand. \nEducate yourself to whatever the possibilities for her behavior might be in a clinical sense so you can be helpful to the doctors. \nDo your part to get her the help she needs. Good Luck .. :)
270602
My son, who is age 16, didn't go as far as your friend did. He just recently got out of a special hospital here that deals with this type of situation. I honestly know how you feel, but mine goes deeper because it was my son. His depression started when he lost his best friend to suicide, and I've been helping him try to cope with this, it happened in March. Then, the next thing I knew, we went for a regular checkup at the doctor's office. And then I heard him say he tried to cut his hand off when he was at his dad's house, but a neighbor stopped him. That's when the doctor put him in the hospital. Now, he is on medication to deal with his depression. We both get counseling together with a therapist and separately we see different psychiatrists to help us both cope with everything. You don't say exactly how you caused him to flip out and get depressed again. But, I have learned that I wasn't the blame for my sons actions. I felt that it was my fault, that I had said the wrong thing to make him upset. He was depressed from not only his best friend committing suicide, he was getting pressure to do things from friends his age, alot of things was building up inside his mind that he couldn't cope with the world around him. Your friend may have already had problems built up inside that whatever you said may have just triggered past emotions. Not what you had said in that moment of time. You mentioned that everyone cuts ourselves, I'm sure that you meant that when we peel potatoes or apples, that sometimes we may cut our finger by accident. We don't purposely do it. The best advice I can give you is to stand by your friend because he needs all the support you can give him. I'm sure the doctors will give him medication to help his depression. It may take time for the meds to work, but you seem to like your friend very much. Even if you can go to a support group, which several places have free support groups to help cope with your friends depression and it may help you understand that it isn't your fault. Good Luck and if you need to talk to someone, you can get to my email by clicking my name. The email address is hidden.
158934
A child with a parent who has bipolar disorder is at greater risk of developing the disorder. This does not mean that you will become bipolar, only that there is more risk than for a person with no family history of the disorder.\n\nIf you really want to help your mum, get her to a doctor to diagnose and treat her. Your family doctor is a great place to start. You doctor may treat her or may refer her to a psychiatrist.\n\nI recently started treatment for bipolar disorder and now I feel better than I have in all my 46 years.\n\nI am including two links one is the National Institute of Mental Health here in the US (I assume you are in the UK by your use of the word mum). The other is the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, also in the US. They may be able to direct you to support services in the UK.\n\nHope this helps you and your mum!\n\nSincerely,\nTerry Sisson  tls3123283@yahoo.com\nFort Worth, Texas
667149
He may have bi-polar disorder. I know someone with it and it sounds like your friend might have it. I recommend that he gets help soon. Make sure to never get too close to him if he goes on an angry rampage like that again. Just be careful, PLEASE!!! Once again, he needs professional help soon. Good Luck!\n\nP.S. You may need to talk to his parents, when he's not there, but don't tell him you talked to them until his parents are ready.
252900
I read that he Put "down" persons who are Bipolar-disorder (manic-depressive) ( a Mental Illness).  ( I am bipolar; i read it on Internet--news or something.  I don't watch movies often and hardly know him.    best wishes!!!