Hi,
How’s it going?
I wanted to tell you something important.
If you have been on my list for a while, you know that there was a company that did my shipping that almost destroyed this entire organization.
They lied. They cheated. They didn’t ship stuff. They were horrible. This started about 2 years ago and went on for about 7 months.
Now I have had a great shipping company for over a year.
Anyway, the reason why this company could get away with it is because nobody ever reported them and new people who replaced the old people wound up not knowing or being able to look to find out if they were a scam.
Many people who were scammed got mad but never told any body.
This happens with mental health places and doctors as well.
If you seriously believe you or your loved one with bipolar disorder has been mistreated, treated way unfair, or abused, etc. report it.
Don’t just keep your mouth closed.
Why?
Well because this will help the system get better.
There is still a stigma in this country against the mentally ill.
I talk about this in my courses/systems below:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
Stigma is one of the reasons that people with mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, don’t say anything about their disorders, for fear of what other people will think of them.
So, instead, they allow themselves to be mistreated by “the system” and other people and not say anything.
They don’t know that they have rights.
Or, even those that do know it, don’t say anything about it, because they’re scared of what would happen.
Many people with bipolar disorder just “don’t want to make trouble.”
But if you don’t make “trouble” sometimes, if you don’t make your voice heard, how are things going to get better?
How will things not only get better for you, but for other people with bipolar disorder as well?
You might think, “Well, that’s easy for you to say, you don’t even have bipolar disorder!”
But don’t forget a couple things:
1. I am, and have been for a long
time, a supporter of a mother
with bipolar disorder.
2. I volunteer for several bipolar
support groups and listen to what
hundreds of people with bipolar
disorder and their supporters have
to say about things like this (and
other things as well) every month.
3. I started and still run the largest
website for bipolar disorder in
the world.
4. I have a HUGE mailing list that
is growing every day!
5. I have over 6,000 testimonials.
6. Over half the people who work
for me have bipolar disorder or
some kind of mental illness.
7. I am constantly reading the news
and researching for new information
that I can pass onto you so that you
have the most up-to-date information
there is on bipolar disorder.
I didn’t say any of those things to brag.
I said them so that you could realize that I know what I’m talking about.
I understand, from all the people that have talked to me, written to me, emailed me, or somehow have reached out to me, that things are not all that great sometimes for people with bipolar disorder.
Sometimes people have bad experiences.
Have you had any bad experiences you want to share?
Post them below.
Post responses below
my husband Now 60yrs and two daughters(19 and 23) have been diganosed bi-polar and other mental issues as well at a very young age- why as they grew older, the Pyschiatrists and therapist stop calling it Bi-polar and use the workd Post stress tramatic disorder ? i am very confused about this situation-it is worng to do and misleading-
my wife and are going threw this now with doctors, she sees a new one this month, hopefully by the grace of God above, this one can help her and me. Its a us thing, aand effects the whole family, and now our insurance isnt covering most her meds. We need help, this as you know is life threatning. Thank you Dave for all you do, and have my blessing, and know God will bless you for things you do.
Hi Dave,
I had a minute this morning and wanted to let you know that I have had some bad experiences with being treated for bipolar. One of the hospitals I went to didn’t have my particular medications when I arrived early in the morning, like 1 am. Then I didn’t get them at night because I was asleep during dinner. I woke up then next morning around 1 or 2 am and told the head nurse that I had to take food with my medication because at that time it was an overdose to my system without taking food first. It wouldn’t kill me but it would make me deathly ill, like sicker than a sick dog! We argued for some time over this. Finally I told her to call my Dr. She said she would. I came back to check on if my Dr. had called back and she said no. I went back several times waiting like and hour between each time and she still said the Dr. hadn’t called her back and she wouldn’t get me food to take my meds. Well, a few hours after this was going on, I ended up trying to kill myself, which isn’t easy in a hospital. But I tried very hard. Ends up, in the morning, I asked my Dr. why she never called back and she told me she had never been called! I hadn’t had my medication in about 40 some odd hours before I attempted suicide, but they rushed me to another hospital with deep scratches on my neck and they had my medications on hand, and gave me food to eat first. Long story short, I did report this nurse to the nurses board. I wrote down exactly what happened, and the nurse board said my references were sited, meaning I think she lost her job. I sure hope so, she was mean.
But I agree, you have to report these kinds of things. Writing your experience down and sending it to the appropriate authority does make a difference. Some people, including drs and nurses look down on the mentally ill. I don’t know why they would be in the field to help us if they look down on us. But stranger things have happened. Just be sure you send your complaint to the appropriate authority concerning who mistreated you. You can look up places to report on the Internet, or call a mental hospital and ask them who to report a dr to or nurse, or anyone else, like a facility that mistreats or mishandles you or your loved one. If it is severe enough call an attorney. They may know at least who to report your problem to.
Thanks Dave…
Bob
Hi Dave,
I am now in the process of looking for a new psychiatrist for my husband for the one we have been seeing since March of this year just keeps telling us that the extremely high dose of Nuerotin (3200 mg)is going to work,that it might take 3-6 months but it will work. I told him isn’t it possible my husband is one of the people it won’t work for. He said no it will work I know what I am doing I have been doing this 30 years.
He raised his voice to me and insisted he knows what I am going through. He goes to hospitals and see patients with bipolar all the time. I thought to myself, but living with someone with it is different. The doctor had the nerve to tell me to stop talking. I told him he had no compassion. My husband just sat there convinced that the doctor was right that he should continue to take the nuerotin along with a tranquillzer. Well now that he is experiencing more confusion then ever and does not feel much better he realizes the doctor is not doing right by him. We asked her family doctor for advise. Our family doctor understood that my husband’s driving, job and our 41 year marriage is being adversely affected by the bipolar. He gave us recommendations for a new doctor. So a good psychiatrist not only has to know his medicines, but should take into account what the spouse has to say and have compassion and understanding this man did not.
Oh he liked to joke around a lot. All well in good, but be serious enough to listen to the important things being said.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Hi David,
My doctor told me that if I didn’t take this med she was gonna give me that she wouldn’t prescribe all my others I take,so I took it an had a bad side effect from it I then went on to take 3 other meds that did the same thing I’m going to see a new doctor this week! I’m no guienea pig! Do you think I should report her?
Re: Make Sure You Report This If It Is True
About 3 years ago i attempted suicicde and was placed in a rehab clinic for 5 days. This is where i was first diagnosed with Bipolar. It was horrible. The staff was condescending and rude. They only allowed us to go outside if one of the staff felt like taking us, and only about three times a day for smokers. The entire time I was there we only had one therapy session and it was informal and unorganized. Mostly just one of the staff chatting with some of the patiets about why they were there.
I am a Nurse and would never treat my patients that way. Before i left i got my mother to contact the facility and talk to the administrator. About an hour before they released me she came to see me. I explained my concerns regarding the treatment. She really listened and was extremely apologetic.
While there I met a man who lived very close to me. He was released 3 days after i left. About 2 weeks later he was readdmitted. When he came out he asked what i had said to them because it was like a different place. They had scheduled times for smoke breaks. They had organized group therapy sessions and the staff was no longer rude and insufferable. He said they had activities to help understand the disorders patients were suffering from and the administrator was on the floor watching what was going on.
I just wanted to let your readers know that sometimes you can make a big difference just by talking to the right people. Although i have not returned i am grateful that i didn’t keeep my mouth shut. I think it has made a big difference for the people who pass through that facility.
Thank you,
Ginger
After having a bad experience with a psychiatrist, I told my M.D. (who referred me to the psychiatrist) what had happened. She was shocked. Then she explained that in these HMO practices, the M.D. only sees the psychiatrist give a five min. intoduction of themselves and the regular doctors just have to “guess” who might be right for you. She said that with what I told her, she would never reccommend him again. I was shocked that my one little voice could make such a big difference, saving the other patients from the “cattle line” that this psychiatrist made at his practice.
Hi David,
My husband and I have struggled with his emotional ups and downs for the past 20 years. Over the years, he has staunchly maintained that there is nothing wrong with him, that it is all me. And if I didn’t like how he was acting, I could leave. So long story short, he as finally admitted to himself (and a select few people close to him) that he does have a serious problem and needs professional help.
I was so relieved and hopeful for the first time in years. Unfortunately, that did not last. You see, my husbands episodes have escalated over the years to become very, very violent. Rage and anger based on very irrational views. These violent outbursts have been very unpredictable and are virtually always directed at me. It is to the point now, that I am not sure how many more of these episodes I can deal with. So I am feeling a sense of urgency to get him the help he needs. Like a timebomb that you watch the timer count down on. Over the past 2 months I have contacted many, many mental health facilities, etc. and have become disheartened by every call. Because we have no insurance–we are routinely referred to the clinics that deal with “low-income” patients. These clinics and pretty much every other place I have contacted have waiting lists to get an appointment. Sometimes as much as a two month waiting list. Two month waiting list! Now I start feeling dread in the pit of my stomach at the thought of going 2 more months with the situation the way it is. The standard answer to my question of “What can he do in the meantime, if he feels he is losing control? Or begins to freak out as he calls it?” Answer is always the same–Well -if it is an emergency go to your local ER. Right-how do you get a grown man to the ER when he begins exhibiting signs of (violent) mental breakdown? Because to me that is when the emergency is apparent. And involving our local police is not an option, I have tried in the past and only succeeding in getting him thrown in the drunk tank at jail and ending up with a huge fine and 1 year probation. My requests, pleas and prayers that they get him somewhere for evaluation-were definitely ignored. The domestic abuse coordinated insinuated to the court that I was a battered wife still trying to make excuses for the abuser. So that effort to “force” him to get help did not work so well, because now I have that I betrayed in festering in his mind and when he erupts that is another weapon he uses.
I am at my wits end. I have stood beside him, supported him, tolerated things that noone should have to deal with. But I love him and I know that deep down there is hope for him. I am not sure if this post has stayed on topic, but my main complaint is the lack of apparent understanding in the mental field of the “urgency” in some situations when a person seeks professional help.
Hello David
Last week I contacted the police on a matter pertaining to a matter that needed to be dealt with pertaining to certain things that my Fiance’s Brother has done. Well when the officer arrived at my home he spoke to my Fiance pertaining to this matter. When the officer was done speaking to my Fiance he then turn to me and in his own words he stated I have some bad news for you. He stated that there was a warrant posted for my arrest. The charge being contept of court. I have to say that I was totally shocked and dumb founded, as I had done nothing to warrant a contempt of court charge. They wouldn’t tell me what the charges were about or anything. I was just placed in handcuffs and off to jail I went. I was placed in a holding cell for hours, Where I was given a mattress so that I could lay it on the floor in the cell. They later placed me upstairs to the woman’s cell block where there were 14 other females. There were only 3 small cells in this block and 15 female’s. I am 42 years old and I have never been in jail before in my life, So needless to say I was frightened out of my mind. When something of this magnatude occures suffering from Bipolar Disorder does not help. I didn’t talk to anyone or eat anything for the 2 days that I was in jail. I laid on my matress and stared at the wall and cried the entire time that I was there. At one point I Freak out so bad that I had a major anxiety attack, They had to remove me from the cell block and they placed me back in the holding cell away from everyone else. After they placed me in the holding cell I was suppose to be seen by the nurse, well that never happened. After about an hour they took me back to the cell block. On the second day my Fiance came to bond me out around 4:00pm. I was so happy to see him.
😉
I HAVE A DAUGHTER IN LAW WHO IS BIPOLAR, BUT USES THIS ILLNESS TO HER BENEFIT TO TORTURE OTHERS, SHE HAS DONE THIS TO MY FAMILY FOR OVER 6 YRS, AND GETS AWAY WITH IT,,, SHE HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT, AND JUST A LITTLE SLAP ON THE HAND TO SAY NO NO… AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HORRID THINGS SHE HAS DONE,,,, WHERE IS THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF SUPPORTERS TO A PERSON WITH BIPOLAR ,, THE SAFETY OF A SPOUSE, AND CHILDREN INVOLVED, HER DAD IS EXTREMELY RICH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE ESCAPE FOR HER ALL THE TIME….SHE IS GOING TO HURT SOMEONE ONE DAY, AND WHAT DO WE BLAME THIS ON, THE FACT THAT SHE IS BIPOLAR?…. SAD EXCUSE ..
Doctors, both Psychs and MDs, do not want to listen if you know a particular medication will help. They are all about prescribing the new and expensive ones, will even provide samples if you can’t afford to buy them. And now all you have to do is watch TV for a short period of time and see the class-action lawsuits being brought against the drug manufacturers! Not just anti-psychotics, just name a fairly new, expensive drug and there is (or will be) a class-action lawsuit to compensate for the damage the drug has (or will have) caused. It is insane to say the least! I take 5 different meds for my Bi-po and I know from a long history that I can control my disorder with just Valium and be fine. My Psych is a good DR and has helped my daughter and myself through a lot but he is very heavy on the script writing so I am going to go to a new DR this week and see if I can take away all the meds and turn them into 1 simple pill to be taken as needed. I have been given a prognosis from my Lung DR that my Emphysema is so bad that typically most people will die between now and the end of next January, I don’t know when I will die (only God knows that) but I know that all these anti-psychotics are helping me along the way and depressing my respiratory system so I am going to stop taking them whether I can get a DR to prescribe Valium or not. I lived for 50 years with BP and didn’t take all these other pills so I think I can make it a few more months without them. I know you tell people to be sure to take their meds, and I would normally agree with that, but my case is the exception to the rule, or the margin of error, however you want to say it, because I will not commit suicide when I get off all these drugs, but I will be able to live out what time I have left.
yes i am having a really rough time right its not the same of other people but i am so pissed sorry for my launage but i am so upset i was throwing things in the house and then i was so really mad at myself then i couldnt stop crying and i really thought of killing myself really bad well here it goes my mother in law use to live with us for 6 mos. but that wasnt bad because i was always at work and always stayed like and i didnt really like her moving and changing these around and she is so mean to me all the time and she never does it when my husband home she treats me so different she has not lived with us for about 5 years but she always comes up she had moved to southern indiana and gets mad because we dont come and see her when she could of stayed in the town that was close but not to close my husband neice said lets a happy 80th birthday party but lets have it at your house and i dont do no and she has been coming to our house the last two weekends and she said we really have to get this place cleaned up and i wanted to say to her is our house not good enough so have it somewhere else and i always tell my husband to give her a lot of money when i was flipping out i said no money fishing pole instead since i am always is the one that says oh give her that and pay for that ever that comes up like i got my daughter a cell phone when she was in college and of course i added her to our plan and she dont act like appreciated and when she moved down south she said let me put these certain plants in around our house and she told her grandaughter oh you can have them she said are you sure and she said yes they are my you know and she also put two holsta out front and i told my husband i wanted them out i dont care what she says i have had enough i can not take one more thing i was just going kind crazy and then felt so bad for thinking of her like that but i just cant deal anymore it wouldnt be so bad but she is always saying something mean to me all the time my husband said she dont treat me that way when he is around oh well and also i have no therphist my left and my other was one i am going to have and wait for insurace to ok him i feel so bad now because i got so really upset with her and i feel so guilty and when i tell her not to rearrange my living room or my pictures on wall she just does it anyway no matter what i say and its not her age she has been like this but i havent been able to work or drive i pass out alot they dont know why and she wants me to drive her car anyway and just not tell my husband or her son she wants me to lie to him i am sorry i just went on and on but thanks for listening and any imput thanks debbie
Let me start by saying I read this email everyday and say that you have given me alot to think about. I never thought I would write in. The whole subject of stigma is a touchy one for me.I am bipolar. I have been bipolar for soon to be 19 years. With love, an incredible support system and spirituality; I have come a long way. It has been hard to get decent help; question prescriptions and dosage and a host of other issues. However, it has been my experience when I have been ill and in the hospital that when I want better treatment and tried to diligently pursue it I would be treated worse. So what I have done is when I have an episode; I follow the rules and make a fuss about nothing so I can get in get better and get out of the hospital. Sometimes it’s meant sleeping on the floor, sometimes it’s meant being disrespected in one way or another. You talk about stigma. The worse part of this illness for me is that because you can have episodes; people around you treat your feelings as something to be ignored or dismissive. I feel like if something really bothers me I better make some inner peace with it or someone will think I’m about to have an episode. Same thing happens if I get too happy. After many years go by being ill; you realize the help is just as sick as the patients sometimes. You realize that the people who are supposed to treat and assist you have stigmas or a cookie cutter approach to dealing with you or they are more focused on making themselves feel superior to you while you are being treated that you just leave them and go on to the next professional hoping things will be better. These days, I have a good psychiatrist, therapist and I am determined to take my medication. I have to work on sleep and exercise but I haven’t had an episode in three years and for the last five years I have been a caregiver to my spouse who has kidney failure. I have a full life despite being bipolar and it is not easy but I am living my life and try to function as well as I can on a day to day basis with the hopes that things will get better each day. Living with bipolar disorder means your life is a work in progress having good days with some bad ones in between. However, I realized I could have had a life where I could have been on too much medicine unable to do anything but receive a check and am so grateful that my life is a real live life with issues yes but that’s what tissues are for. You can always change your plans after you wipe the tears away. Thanks for your time and consideration. Have a great day.
Dave – you MUST realize that if someone is hospitalized, with either a manic or depressive episode – that is PRECISELY NOT the time to “make waves.” During my second hospitalization, on the University Psych Ward, I was treated ABYSMALLY. The resident in charge of my case, turned out to be an alcoholic, who later committed suicide. In an effort to “deal” with my mania, he proceeded to over medicate me, to the point of starvation. I lost my appetite, and went down to 78 pounds. Also – a young man and I had sex on the Ward, and I got put in the Quiet Room!! (To this day, we don’t know “who raped who!”). I was in a padded “cell,” with only a mattress on the floor. I was in there for 11 days.
Yes, I got bathroom breaks, but only after “holding it” beyond human measure. I also got cigarette breaks, where I’d sit with a tech, and we’d talk. One time, in my less-lucid moment, I accepted a book of matches to set fire to my mattress – but was caught in time by a tech. This did NOT look good on my record. As you can imagine, I continued to lose weight.
At Christmas time (1970), they emptied the Ward so the techs wouldn’t have much to do over the holidays, and “my” resident told my Mom to pick a place for me to go to DIE!!! Fortunately, she chose the State Mental Hospital, which was just 40 miles away, so she could visit me. The other choices were in other STATES!!
As you can imagine, I SHOULD have brought suit against the Resident for malpractice. But – who would believe a mental patient? Besides, a lawyer was hired to “represent” me before a judge, to be committed to the Hospital. No one took my side, and I was scuttled to the State Hospital. My poor Mother was beside herself, and utterly unable to even THINK about what would have been best for me.
I know of several cases where people in a Quiet Room had to relieve themselves ON themselves, because NO ONE came to take them to the bathroom. One woman contracted a deadly bacterial disease because of it. Did she sue?? No. She felt too ashamed to tell the truth, when it would have helped her to do so. AND – no one LISTENS to “crazy people” after all.
Irregardless, I survived to “tell the tale,” and am doing fairly well. I haven’t had a major manic episode in 32 years. I am twice-widowed, with no children. I would feel VERY uncomfortable if I had a “caregiver” at this stage in my life. Although I make a LOT of mistakes (sometimes daily!), I am reasonably stable and able to carry on everyday life. I schedule my own doctor and therapist appointments, and take my meds religiously. I can even drive for an hour-and-a-half to see my boyfriend!!
Though Tammie and Linda are also GREAT examples of stable people with bipolar disorder, we are AWARE that there are some who are not so lucky. I wish ALL of you much success with dealing with your bipolar, so that you can join the ranks of survivors who are happy 🙂
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.
I have been looking at the National Resource Center for Advance Directives. Congress passed the Patient Self-Sufficiency Act relatively recently, which allows patients to state their wishes regarding treatment.
We can work on these legally-binding documents at any time when we are able to express our wishes, and to provide a rationale for our decisions.
This is for any person with a mental illness. It is that person’s plan, so the primary responsibility lies on the patient, not the caregiver or supporter. Of course, you might find input helpful, but the law is for YOU. The document is for YOU.
I think it’s a fantastic way to take some of the pressure of decision-making off of supporters, and at the same time it greatly empowers people receiving treatment.
I thought about much of the suggested areas to address in a PAD, and I was surprised, but relieved that I have a good deal of insight into what I would request in advance from providers, and why.
There are safeguards, and caveats. You can determine the degree to which you would like a supporter, loved one, etc. to participate in your treatment. While some folks might prefer to complete it alone, others can appoint a medical power of attourney, leaving a supporter basically in charge.
I got this information from the National Resource Center on Advance Directives website. I don’t know how to paste a link here, but if this interests you, I hope you’ll Google it!
I know none of this can possibly undo the heartbreak and hurt expressed here. It is a terrible feeling to be victimized by people you have entrusted to help you when you are ill.
But writing your PAD might give you a sense of empowerment…it might help restore the belief that neither your illness, nor outside circumstances beyond your control, can leave you helpless. You can do something proactive. You can have a voice in your treatment, even when you are suffering the most, and it is possible that someone will respect your wishes.
Dear Dave, First of all, I don’t ‘blog,’ I just don’t have the time. But I WILL write to you when the spirit moves me.
My name is Lynn and I’m a ‘real’ alcoholic; I also live w/Bipolar II Depression, and read your emails on a daily basis. I feel that one thing I’m doing, that makes all the difference in the world, is remaining active in A.A. In October, God willing, I will be granted 30 continuous yrs. of sobriety, which enables me to make better decisions abt. my mental health, too.
I recently filed a complaint that my mental healthcare would NOT be removed from the county facility where I’ve been receiving care for sev. yrs. I finally got a response today: the call from the clinical director said that, yes, I WOULD be able to stay there for my care!! It’s truly an answer to prayer, w/all the budget cuts in the local mental health community. Now all I have to find out is, how do I go abt. making my next appt. w/my Dr.; I have a msg. into her to call me back. I will keep you posted on the status of this matter. Thanks for listening.
I WANT TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT THE MISTREATMENT IN A MENTAL WARD IN CANADA. I TOOK AN OVERDOSE OF MY MEDICATION IN OCT.2008, MY WIFE AND STEPSON TOOK ME TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, I WAS THERE FOR 20 HOURS AND THE ONLY THINGS THEY DONE FOR ME WERE TO PUT ME IN A LOCKED ROOM AND TAKE MY BLOOD PRESSURE, THEN I WAS SENT TO A MENTAL WARD FOR AN ASSESSMENT 300 MILES FROM MY HOME. WHILE THERE I WAS CONSTANTLY ABUSED BY THE STAFF, I JUST KEEP MY COOL AND RODE OUT THE ABUSES OR GOD KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAD HAPPENED TO ME. I DID NOT HIDE MY DISPLEASURE TO MY ABUSERS, THEY DID GIVE ME A PAMPHLET THEY GOT FROM A HOSPITAL 200 MILES AWAY EXPLAINING WHAT I COULD DO IF THEY KEPT ME FOR MORE THAN 72 HRS. AND TO CALL SOMEONE IF I FELT MY RIGHTS WERE BEING DENIED. I WROTE A LETTER TO MY SOCIAL WORKER AT THE HOSPITAL ON MY DISCHARGE DAY, WHO I TRUSTED, EXPLAINING WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO ME, WITH NO REPLY, THE WORSE THING THEY DID TO ME WAS TO WITHHOLD MY ANTIPHYCOTIC MEDS FOR FIVE DAYS. I WAS FINALLAY DISCHARGED AFTER 72 HOURS, I STILL DON’T KNOW WHAT CONCLUSION THEY CAME TO, APPARENTLY I’M SANE. I ASKED HOW MY RETURN TO HOME WAS BEING ARRANGED,AND WAS TOLD TO GET MY OWN TRANSPARTION (I WAS SENT THERE IN AN AMBULANCE) SO I CALLED MY WIFE TO COME GET ME, I WAS SCARED SHE WOULDN’T. AFTER WAITING IN THE LOBBY 4 HOURS SHE CAME, PRAISE GOD. I’LL DIE BEFORE GOING BACK TO THAT PLACE, CAPE BRETON REGIONAL HOSPITAL, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.
I know this is off subject totally but i am having a huge problem getting my husband into a doctor. I currently am the only one working and my company does not provide insurance for there employees. I live in texas and have gone to MHMR and they placed us on a waiting list for at least 3 months maybe longer. My husband is in bad shape right now! I need some help and have used all my resources that i can think of to get him so help and i still have nothing. If anyone has any advise for me please e-mail me so i can give my love one the help that he needs. Thank you all for you time and your help!
greetings! I am not a blogger most days; but since is one of those MM days (mania maddness), I can multitask with the best of them. lol
I was diagnosed bp six years ago; but genetically my faternal grandmother was “crazy” and institutionized for most of her life. Her name was endearing mama “grace”. Family used to say I was most like mama grace and I never could understand why they said that. I am manic more often than depressed (I prefer it that way); but the past 3 years had been the real challenge. I will be happy to give testimony later. For those of you doing MM days, don’t het too exhausted. I have learned to be kind to myself. By the way, I am between careers so I am finally going to complete my PhD–yeah, you guessed it counseling psychology! If you can’t beat, learn and teach others
Hi Everyone!
I am new to this blog and new to blogging so have patience. I came accross this blog in search of finding the right meds. I was diagnosed bipolar in 2007 after being treated for depression for about 10 yrs. I am seeing a new med Dr this Friday. I am currently on trileptal have been for about 4 months I feel like I am getting really depressed feel hopeless not sure if its the medication or the stress being unemployed.Financial situation is getting serious and not many jobs around. Has anyone used trileptal? I can say over the yrs I think there are not many meds I haven’t tried. I also think bipolar and depression is hereditary my father is father his sister and on my mothers side her sister and both her parents and all family mentioned were also alcoholics. Now my youngest daughter who is 23 was diagnosed bipolar in 2008. So I guess I’m writing this to learn what I can and maybe help others.