Take care and hope you have a great weekend!
Coping Skills for Bipolar Disorder Step-by-Step Coping:
- Find a good doctor
- Become an expert
- Manage your illness
- mood charting - what it is and why it's helpful
- managing medications
- a healthy lifestyle helps recovery
- Plan for a crisis
- Find a community
- United States Support Organizations
- Online Support Groups and Newsgroups
- International Support Organizations
- Practical matters - work, school, and federal aid issues
- Other Resources - coping with mania, depression, and life with bipolar disorder
When we give lists of symptoms and medications for people with bipolar disorder, the entire thing can seem disarmingly simple. But anyone who has been there knows that there is nothing simple about accepting and living with a chronic illness, and it's just as important to address the emotional and practical issues of bipolar as it is to know the diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines. Those with other chronic diseases like diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or multiple sclerosis go through a similar process of grieving, accepting, learning, and adapting - and through this, begin healing and recovery.
A helpful outline to guide a healing and recovery journey is described in the acronym TEAR:
T = to accept the reality of loss. There are things that will be different after a diagnosis of bipolar, and it's important to recognize these things rather than denying or hiding them.
E = experience the pain of the loss. You are allowed to grieve what you feel has been lost with the onset of this disease, both from your own life and the lives of others. You are allowed to mourn previous goals and aspirations that must be altered to this new reality.
A = adjust to the new environment without what was lost. Whatever was lost with your diagnosis doesn't constitute the whole of your person. The core of you is still the same, and knowing about your illness now allows you to re-adapt to this new context of life.
R = reinvest in the new reality. Explore, create, engage, and live as the person you are, managing your own life and your illness as part of that life.
Below are some articles and resources that we hope will help you in your own life.
Even if you already have your diagnosis, your doctor will be your ally and partner in treatment and recovery. It's important to have a doctor you can speak openly with, who will listen to you as an equal and acknowledge your expertise on your own body, who will offer helpful suggestions and be invested in your recovery. Below are some resources on what to look for in a good psychiatrist and/or health care provider, and how to find one in your area.
- The Patient-Doctor Relationship: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly - signs of each kind of relationship, and advice from someone who has experience as a psychiatric health care consumer.
- Mental Health Professionals: Who They Are and How to Find One - article provided by NAMI.
- Contact your local NAMI chapter or another support group, and ask people in the area who has provided quality care for them in the past. Ask family members, friends, other doctors, and anyone else who has had personal experience who they recommend as health care providers.
- A Bipolar Specialist Referral Database - provided and maintained by the Harvard Bipolar Research Program
- The Best U.S. Psychiatrists for Mood Disorders - names and contact info compiled (and kept current) by Dr. Ivan Goldberg, a psychiatrist and clinical psychopharmacologist in private practice in New York City.
Putting a name to what used to be a vague collection of debilitating symptoms puts you in control. Knowing your disease as intimately as you can gives you the tools to manage it effectively, rather than it managing you. It can also make your situation seem much less frightening when you can understand and recognize what is happening in your own body. Here are some resources to get you started.
- What Is Mental Illness? - it is not a choice, a weakness, a failing, or a sign of immorality. It is a biological disease based in the brain. This information from the American Psychiatric Association gives an introductory look.
- Manic Depressive Disorders and Schizophrenia are Diseases of the Brain - an introduction to the evidence, with references.
- Guide to Depression and Bipolar Disorder (PDF) - an easy-to-read pamphlet provided by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
- Understanding Bipolar Disorder - a comprehensive, 24-page information booklet provided by NAMI.
- What Causes Mood Disorders? - a short, understandable explanation of the brain chemistry that underlies mood disorders.
- Excellent books - a list of essential reading about bipolar disorder and mental illness [coming soon].
3) Manage your Illness - mood charting and meds.
One of the best coping strategies, suggested by professionals and patients alike, is using a mood chart to track your own episodes and symptoms. A mood chart can be a preventative tool to help identify early warning signs for relapse, a record for physicians and family to help assess the efficacy of different medications and treatments, and a therapeutic tool to organize a person's daily routine and improve awareness of the illness.
The simplest method of mood charting is rating your mood (at the same time each day) on a scale of 1-10, with one being very depressed and ten being absolutely elated. A good place to keep a record is on a wall calendar or in a daily diary. Other methods involve more elaborate charts, and a more detailed rating scale (see the links below). Some people work better with graphs, others with numbers, others with writing lists of words or paragraphs to describe their feelings. The overall goal of the charts is to have a reliable and consistent record of how greatly your moods flucuate over a period of time, so develop the method that is easiest for you to achieve this goal.
- Mood charting resources:
- The Mood Diary - gives an explanation of how to use the mood chart, and has a blank and a completed example available for downloading (pdf files).
- A Mood Chart System - a patient describes how he developed a personal system that worked for him, including examples.
- Mood Charting for Children - the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation provides examples and resources for charting your child's moods, and eventually helping him/her to track it themselves.
Another excellent coping strategy is learning how to manage your medications effectively. The first thing to do is know about what you are taking - ask your psychiatrist what symptoms your medication is treating, how long it might take to work, how much and how often you should take it, what you should do if you miss a dose, what side effects you might have and what you can do about them, and anything else that is on your mind. Keep track of your own medication information - names, dosages, how it makes you feel, what symptoms it makes better or worse - in a journal or diary. Having this information will help both you and your doctor find the medication regimen that works the best for you, and allow you to adjust it effectively as needed.
It can be an extremely frustrating trial-and-error process to finally find a medication that works for you. Please be patient and give the medications adequate time to do their job. Most people won't feel better right away - it can take four to six weeks for a drug to get into your system and start noticeably helping. In the meantime, you can help yourself by trying some of the suggestions on this page, or finding a support group to help you through difficult times. By all means work with your psychiatrist to switch medications if you are unhappy with your current one; however, try to be realistic about what medications can and can't do, and consider the relative benefits of staying on one versus trying to adjust to a brand-new one.
Simplify your medications as much as possible by putting them in separated daily pill boxes (you can purchase pill organizers with seven separate compartments, one for each day of the week), taking them at the same time each day, or taking them with a daily vitamin pill or something else that you do religiously. If you have a lot of trouble remembering, ask family members/roommates to help, or ask your doctor about the possibility of switching to long-acting injectable medications instead of pills.
Help your medication do their job by keeping healthy habits in your daily life.
- A reliable sleep routine is especially important for people with mood disorders - research shows that not getting enough sleep can bring on a manic episode.
- Making sure you get all your daily nutrients and vitamins - especially omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help relieve the symptoms of psychiatric disorders - will keep you feeling better and more stable.
- Daily exercise will help your mood during a depression, will add structure to your day to help avoid mania, and will keep you looking and feeling better and healthier.
- More resources:
- Download Healthy Lifestyles (pdf file) - a brochure provided by the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
- Bipolar Disorder Self Care - information on eating/sleeping/exercise habits, getting adequate nutrition, reducing stress, and avoiding relapse
- A Healthy Lifestyle Approach - tips and info from the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorders Society (Canada)
Your mood charts (see above) will help you recognize what particular symptoms or behaviors tend to precede a manic or a depressive episode. Having a plan ready for relapse situations will help you get the care you need, and make sure other practical matters are taken care of, even if you are in a place where you can't effectively make decisions. One of the most difficult aspects of bipolar to deal with is the seductiveness of mania - many people don't seek help during a manic episode because they are feeling on top of the world. However, even though they can't recognize it, they still present a danger to themselves or others via reckless acts, excessive spending, uncontrollable behavior, etc.
You can take some precautionary steps while you are stable to help get through a crisis situation as smoothly as possible. Put the following information (along with anything else that might be helpful) into a "crisis plan" folder, and distribute it to your doctor, your family members, and other trusted people who can help you.
- Make a list of people you trust (close family members, friends in the area, etc) who know about your disease and are willing to help you. Have their names and phone numbers together on a "crisis alert list"
- List the names and contact info of your psychiatrist, general practitioner, case worker, or any other professional that helps you manage your illness.
- Write out the particular signs that indicate a manic or a depressive episode, to help others recognize when you need help. (See some of the early warning signs compiled by bipolarsurvivor.com to use as a guide in making your list).
- Make another list of all your medications, what dose you take, and what side effects you experience. Note any medications you are allergic to or do not want to take under whatever circumstances.
- Leave directions for the care of your house, your pets, your plants, etc., in case you are hospitalized.
- Write down your insurance plan information
- Leave the names and numbers of family members and/or employers that need to be contacted in case of an emergency or an extended hospital stay.
- Leave any detailed instructions of what kind of care you do and do not want to recieve if you are unable to make your own decisions (the legal document for this is called a psychiatric advanced directive).
Having a supportive community is important for anyone, but particularly for someone dealing with a chronic illness. A support group of friends and peers can relate to what you go through like no one else can, offer support or a sympathetic ear, and give practical advice and solutions for difficulties as they come up. For the times when you are not feeling particularly social, an online discussion group or chatroom is a great option to keep yourself connected with others.
National U.S. support groups for people who have mood disorders:
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance - a comprehensive website w/ information, resources, advocacy materials, and a database of local chapters
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - free education programs and support groups in every state for patients and family members
- Children and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation - a comprehensive database with support orgs/chapters for every U.S. state. Also has online chatrooms and discussion boards
- Locate Regional Mental Health Services and Support Groups with a national database provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
International Support Organizations:
- Manic Depression Fellowship - U.K. based support and services organization
- International Society for Bipolar Disorders - requires a membership fee to join, but has some info available for free as well
- Mood Disorders Associaton of Manitoba, Canada
- Balance: New Zealand Manic Depressive Network
- Dutch Association for Manic-Depressives (Netherlands) - site in Dutch only
- Fundacion de Bipolares de Argentina (FUBIPA) - Spanish support organization and website w/ thirteen regional groups in Argentina
- German Society for Bipolar Disorder - site in German only
6) Practical Matters - work, school, and federal aid issues:
- How does a mental illness affect the way I function at school?
- Documenting your disability for an educational institution - recieve the resources and support you are entitled to
- Disclosing your Disability to an Employer - this is a personal choice and NOT required by law. This article outlines the pros and cons of both options.
- Handling your Psychiatric Disability at Work and School - lots of articles and links from the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation in Boston.
- What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
- FAQs, advices, and articles about disability benefits - lots of information for most every situation.
7) Other Resources - coping with mania, depression, and life with bipolar disorder:
- Dealing Effectively with Manic-Depression (pdf) - an excellent pamphlet for patients from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
- How to avoid a manic episode
- 10 things to remember when you are manic
- 10 things to remember when you are depressed
- Should I take therapy or pills? - thoughts from someone with manic-depression
- Ideas for coping - advice from someone with manic-depression
- Myths about mental illness - good things for anyone to know, and occasionally remind themselves of.
This is a testimony of God's mercies and goodness to me in my endeavour to understand and manage bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness (a medical condition that can be treated) and other challenges in my life, by God's grace. Thank God that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! (Romans 8:37)
Friday, November 4, 2022
Coping Skills for Bipolar Disorder
How carers or friends can help - Part 1
I can identify with Marja's feeling as I often felt that way too whenever I go through depression. I am not able to feel love in any way. And that is extremely painful as I am someone who feel very deeply and love deeply whenever I am well. How I long to love and be loved though I can't feel it because during depression the chemical in our brain has become unbalanced and not able to send the right messages to our brain. So I can't think and feel aright.
Marja wrote on her Blog "Roller Coaster":
I need a friend who will listen to me and just be with me for a while, without making me feel bad about being the way I am. I need a friend who will not tire of sticking with me as I work my way out of the hole I'm in. I need a friend who will love me, no matter how ugly I feel. I need someone I can count on. I need someone who will remind me that God is there. Read more of Marja's sharing....
No man is an island. We all need family and friends in our life to make us a complete person and for us to live a meaningful life. Recently, I shared about my struggles with the issue of "What is the meaning of Life" whenever I go through severe depression. The lack of ability to know and feel the love of God, the love of my family, church brethren and friends, makes me feel life is so meaningless and it is so difficult to go on day by day. I felt as if I am left on a obscure island, isolated from the world and living a life that is utterly useless, and there is no way out of it at all. I am doomed to face the extreme loneliness and helplessness every day. I yearned for human contact but there is none because no one knows how to get onto that island. If someone tried hard enough, maybe they can come on a boat and they might find me. But no one seems to be trying. In my own distorted mind and inability to feel, even God seems so far away. I know He is there and I longed for someone to just give me that assurance again. The loneliness, pain and hopelessness one can feel during a severe depressive episode is beyond description. And another very difficult part of it is that it goes on for days, weeks, months and for some people even years. Day in day out, night in night out, week in week out, etc. You have to go through it yourself to know how it is like. But I sincerely pray that my family and friends will not need to go through these experiences themselves in order to pray and encourage me.
Many times it was the thought of God and my aged mother which prevented me from ending my own life. Note: If you are reading this article and you undergoing severe depression with suicidal thoughts or tendency, please stop reading and seek help immediately! There is help for depression. It can be treated. Don't suffer alone. Reach out and call someone! If you are in Singapore, you can contact these people in Singapore.
During severe depression, I often wonder how to carry on in such a utter pain, misery and loneliness? Who will understand and who will help? Thank God that He is with me and Marja, and all of His other precious children whenever we have to go through severe depression. No matter how we are not able to feel God's love and presence during that time, He never leave us nor forsake us. He is very near to us and it is He who is sustaining us. For underneath us is His everlasting arms. True, during depression I just couldn't feel anything of God's love or presence with me, but that is only because at such a time the chemical in my brain has become distorted. When I am better or well, I will know once again His everlasting love and mercies, which has been unchanging.
Marja's sharing reminded me of a question a dear church friend, Wee Chin, who just asked me yesterday on how she can help me if she notices that I am either a little manic or depressed besides praying. I thank God for her willingness not only to pray for me but also to help in some ways. Several months ago, my brother-in-Christ, Chee Yean, asked me the same question after I shared with him about my experiences with bipolar disorder especially my severe depressive episodes which often lasted for 3 to 6 months or longer.
DBSA and other mental/psychological health sites have many useful articles for sufferers and carers/friends of person with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or depression, etc. As these articles are on public domain and meant to help us, I will try and post some of these articles on my blog by and by, for our prayers and help.
The following is taken from the website of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) :
Family and Friends' Guide to Recovery From Depression and Bipolar Disorder
When a friend or family member has an episode of depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression), you might be unsure about what you can do to help. You might wonder how you should treat the person. You may be hesitant to talk about the person’s illness, or feel guilty, angry, or confused. All of these things are normal.
There are ways you can help friends or family members throughout their recovery while empowering them to make their own choices.
The Five Stages of Recovery
It can be helpful to view recovery as a process with five stages. People go through these stages at different speeds. Recovery from an illness like depression or bipolar disorder, like the illness itself, has ups and downs. Friends and family who are supportive and dependable can make a big difference in a person’s ability to cope within each of these stages.
1. Handling the Impact of the Illness
Being overwhelmed and confused by the illness.
An episode of mania or depression, especially one that causes major problems with relationships, money, employment or other areas of life, can be devastating for everyone involved. A person who needs to be hospitalized may leave the hospital feeling confused, ashamed, overwhelmed, and unsure about what to do next.
What friends and family can do:
- Offer emotional support and understanding.
- Help with health care and other responsibilities.
- Offer to help them talk with or find health care providers.
- Keep brief notes of symptoms, treatment, progress, side effects and setbacks in a journal or personal calendar.
- Be patient and accepting.
Your loved one’s illness is not your fault or theirs. It is a real illness that can be successfully treated. Resist the urge to try to fix everything all at once. Be supportive, but know that your loved one is ultimately responsible for his or her own treatment and lifestyle choices.
2. Feeling Like Life is Limited
Believing life will never be the same.
At this stage, people take a hard look at the ways their illness has affected their lives. They may not believe their lives can ever change or improve. It is important that friends, families, and health care providers instill hope and rebuild a positive self-image.
What friends and family can do:
- Believe in the person’s ability to get well.
- Tell them they have the ability to get well with time and patience. Instill hope by focusing on their strengths.
- Work to separate the symptoms of the illness from the person’s true personality. Help the person rebuild a positive self-image.
- Recognize when your loved one is having symptoms and realize that communication may be more difficult during these times. Know that symptoms such as social withdrawal come from the illness and are probably not a reaction to you.
- Do your best not to rush, pressure, hover or nag.
A mood disorder affects a person’s attitude and beliefs. Hopelessness, lack of interest, anger, anxiety, and impatience can all be symptoms of the illness. Treatment helps people recognize and work to correct these types of distorted thoughts and feelings. Your support and acceptance are essential during this stage.
3. Realizing and Believing Change is Possible
Questioning the disabling power of the illness and believing life can be different.
Hope is a powerful motivator in recovery. Plans, goals, and belief in a better future can motivate people to work on day-to-day wellness. At this stage people begin to believe that life can be better and change is possible.
What friends and family can do:
- Empower your loved on to participate in wellness by taking small steps toward a healthier lifestyle. This may include:
- Sticking with the same sleep and wake times
- Consistently getting good nutrition
- Doing some sort of physical activity or exercise
- Avoiding alcohol and substances
- Finding a DBSA support group
- Keeping health care appointments and staying with treatment
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- Offer reassurance that the future can and will be different and better. Remind them they have the power to change.
- Help them identify things they want to change and things they want to accomplish.
Symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder may cause a hopeless, “what’s the point?” attitude. This is also a symptom of the illness. With treatment, people can and will improve. To help loved ones move forward in recovery, help them identify negative things they are dissatisfied with and want to change, or positive things they would like to do. Help them work toward achieving these things.
4. Commitment to Change
Exploring possibilities and challenging the disabling power of the illness.
Depression and bipolar disorder are powerful illnesses, but they do not have to keep people from living fulfilling lives. At this stage, people experience a change in attitude. They become more aware of the possibilities in their lives and the choices that are open to them. They work to avoid feeling held back or defined by their illness. They actively work on the strategies they have identified to keep themselves well. It is helpful to focus on their strengths and the skills, resources and support they need.
What friends and family can do:
- Help people identify:
- Things they enjoy or feel passionate about
- Ways they can bring those things into their lives
- Things they are dissatisfied with and want to change
- Ways they can change those things
- Skills, strengths and ideas that can help them reach their goals.
- Resources that can help build additional skills
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- Help them figure out what keeps them well.
- Encourage and support their efforts.
The key is to take small steps. Many small steps will add up to big positive changes. Find small ways for them to get involved in things they care about. These can be activities they enjoy, or things they want to change, in their own lives or in the world.
5. Actions for Change
Moving beyond the disabling power of the illness.
At this stage, people turn words into actions by taking steps toward their goals. For some people, this may mean seeking full-time, part-time or volunteer work, for others it may mean changing a living situation or working in mental health advocacy.
What friends and family can do:
- Help your friends or family members to use the strengths and skills they have.
- Keep their expectations reachable and realistic without holding them back.
- Help them find additional resources and supports to help them reach their goals step-by-step.
- Continue to support them as they set new goals and focus on life beyond their illness.
- Help them identify and overcome negative or defeatist thinking.
- Encourage them to take it easy on themselves and enjoy the journey.
People with depression or bipolar disorder have the power to create the lives they want for themselves. When they look beyond their illness, the possibilities are limitless.
What you can say that helps:
- You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.
- I understand you have a real illness and that’s what causes these thoughts and feelings.
- You many not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change.
- I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel but I care about you and want to help.
- When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold of for just one more day, hour, minute - whatever you can manage.
- You are important to me. Your life is important to me.
- Tell me what I can do now to help you.
- I am here for you. We will get through this together.
Avoid saying:
- It’s all in your head.
- We all go through times like this.
- You’ll be fine. Stop worrying.
- Look on the bright side.
- You have so much to live for why do you want to die?
- I can’t do anything about your situation.
- Just snap out of it.
- Stop acting crazy.
- What’s wrong with you?
- Shouldn’t you be better by now?
What to find out:
Contact information (including emergency numbers) for your loved one’s doctor, therapist, and psychiatrist, your local hospital, and trusted friends and family members who can help in a crisis
Whether you have permission to discuss your love one’s treatment with his or her doctors, and if not, what you need to do to get that permission.
The treatments and medications your loved one is receiving, any special dosage instructions and any needed changes in diet or activity.
The most likely warning signs of a worsening manic or depressive episode (words and behaviors) and what you can do to help.
What kind of day-to-day help you can offer, such as doing housework or grocery shopping.
When talking with your love one’s health care providers, be patient, polite and assertive. Ask for clarification of things you do not understand. Write things down that you need to remember.
Helping and getting help
As a friend or family member you can provide the best support when you’re taking care of yourself. It helps to talk to people who know how it feels to be in your situation. Talk with understanding friends or relatives, look for therapy of your own, or find a DBSA support group.
DBSA support groups are run by people, families and friends affected by depression or bipolar disorder. They are safe, confidential, free meetings where people can learn more about depression, bipolar disorder, and how to live with the illnesses.
One father of a daughter with bipolar disorder says, “DBSA support groups help take a lot of stress out of your life. As a family member, you have to be as prepared as possible, and accept that things will still happen that you aren’t totally prepared for. DO all the research you can. Build a long list of dependable resources and support people, so when a situation arises, you know where to turn and how to take the next step. This really helped my family when we needed it.”
A mother of a son with depression says, “When you are in the middle of a situation, it’s hard to see what’s happening, but when you sit in a support group meeting across from someone who is going through the same things, it gives you perspective.”
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has a complete section with information for family and friends to help a loved one on their recovery to wellness.
Thank God for Marja's "Living Room" ministry which is a Support Group for people with mood disorders.
Regards,|
Nancie
March 2008
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Helping someone with mood disorder
(taken from the website of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) affect millions of people. Their family members and friends are affected too. If someone you love has a mood disorder, you may be feeling helpless, overwhelmed, confused and hopeless, or you may feel hurt, angry, frustrated and resentful. You may also have feelings of guilt, shame and isolation, or feelings of sadness, exhaustion and fear. All of these feelings are normal.
What you need to know:
- Your loved one’s illness is not your fault (or your loved one’s fault).
- You can’t make your loved one well, but you can offer support, understanding and hope.
- Each person experiences a mood disorder differently, with different symptoms.
- The best way to find out what your loved one needs from you is by asking direct questions.
What you need to find out:
- Contact information (including emergency numbers) for your loved one's doctor, therapist, and psychiatrist, your local hospital, and trusted friends and family members who can help in a crisis.
- Whether you have permission to discuss your loved one's treatment with his or her doctors, and if not, what you need to do to get permission.
- The treatments and medications your loved one is receiving, any special dosage instructions and any needed changes in diet or activity.
- The most likely warning signs of a worsening manic or depressive episode (words and behaviors) and what you can do to help.
- What kind of day-to-day help you can offer, such as doing housework or grocery shopping.
When talking with your loved one's health care providers, be patient, polite and assertive. Ask for clarification of things you do not understand. Write down things you need to remember.
What you can say that helps:
- You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.
- I understand you have a real illness and that’s what causes these thoughts and feelings.
- You may not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change.
- I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.
- When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold on for just one more day, hour, minute - whatever you can manage.
- You are important to me. Your life is important to me.
- Tell me what I can do now to help you.
- I am here for you. We will get through this together.
What you should avoid saying:
- It’s all in your head.
- We all go through times like this.
- You’ll be fine. Stop worrying.
- Look on the bright side.
- You have so much to live for; why do you want to die?
- I can’t do anything about your situation.
- Just snap out of it.
- Stop acting crazy.
- What’s wrong with you?
- Shouldn’t you be better by now?
Download a quick guide to "What Helps and What Hurts" here.
Some people are able to stabilize quickly after starting treatment; others take longer and need to try several treatments, medications or medication combinations before they feel better. Talk therapy can be helpful for managing symptoms during this time.
If your friend or family member is facing treatment challenges, the person needs your support and patience more than ever. Education can help you both find out all the options that are available and decide whether a second opinion is needed. Help your loved one to take medication as prescribed, and don’t assume the person isn’t following the treatment plan just because he or she isn’t feeling 100% better.
There is hope:
As a friend or family member of someone who is coping with bipolar disorder or depression, your support is an important part of working toward wellness. Don’t give up hope. Treatment for mood disorders does work, and the majority of people with mood disorders can return to stable and productive lives. Keep working with your loved one and his or her health care providers to find treatments that work, and keep reminding your loved one that you are there for support.
page created: May 3, 2006 | page updated: November 2, 2006 |
Detox and Rejuvenate Program (Part 1)
Friday, October 28, 2022
Prolonged Recurrent Depression
For the first 13 years the medicine and treatment plans worked well. My health still alternating between hypomania (well) and severe clinical depression (very unwell), these being the characteristics of Bipolar. Thank God I was able to recover from the clinical depression within 2 weeks to a month after my Doctor increased the dosage of my anti-depressant whenever I have relapses. Once I was well, the dosages are lowered back to my regular dosage.
But over the last 2 year, 2 of the 4 medicines I have been taking, didn't work any more despite increased in dosages. It seems that my body has got used to them after taking them for 13 years. So I began to feel unwell. I realized that due to aging and menopause, my body is also undergoing some changes which also affect my whole body.
My Doctor is making some changes in my medicine as well as finding new treatment plans. For 2 years now, she has been trying me out with combinations of some new medicines and trying to find optimal dosages for my health to get better and stabilise.
So far, she has not found the right combinations of new medicines and the optimal dosages yet. It generally takes around 6 months for old medicines to leave my body system. So it also takes that long for the new replacement medicine to work.