I need some advise. - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Lynn** · 01-17-2005, 01:55 PM

I have a very good friend who'm in the last six months got diagnosed with bipolar. He was cycling through major manic/depressive stages..and I am relieved that he's gotten help in dealing with them...and is so as we speak.

He feels as though he's got the mania under control...but is feeling very indifferent to everything and everyone. Past things he used to enjoy, he feels no desire for doing. He was a very quick paced, highly charged, constantly learning type of person. I'm POSITIVE it was manicly charged.

I guess, I wonder what suggestions anyone has on will this indifference pass for him? OR is this the way it is? He tells me often that he's bored...and has no passion or zest for anything. He explains that nothing holds his interest.

I can see that it's bothering him greatly.

Does anyone understand this? Is there other options? Is this a sign or side effect that could be dealt with with a different medication option?

I wonder does anyone have any thoughts on getting his hormones checked out...as the stress of all of this could be getting him out of wack?

I'm just trying to support him and help in searching for some clue to what might help him feel as good as he possibly can. He means a great deal to me!

Thank you in advance!

Lynn

kiehn · 01-17-2005, 02:35 PM

Hi Lynn
You are probably right his fast paced zest could have been due to a hypomania/manic
state. What he's experiening now is the reason many bipolars go off their meds, because they no longer have that high energy. It's possible he may still have mild mood swings but it really depends on the meds he's taken. Some times the mood stablizer control the hypomanic and manic states but does nothing for the depressed moods and adding antidepressant is helpful. Try to encourage him to talk with his
doctor about how he's feeling. Good Luck, K

Whelmed · 01-17-2005, 02:38 PM

Lynn,

I can relate greatly with your friend. I have found that my AD's don't make me happy - they make me not sad. I feel neutral and very rarely am I overly excited/happy/enthusiastic about anything. I'm sure different meds affect people in different ways and your friend could explain how he's feeling to his doctor.

Also, I went through extreme highs and lows which I rarely get anymore because of my AD's. These are not natural as it's a part of being manic. The AD's might be helping your friend and he's not experiencing these extreme highs or lows anymore. This is why he thinks life is boring or dull.

Hope this helps a bit... I'm not an expert!

A

mudhound · 01-18-2005, 04:32 PM

I would recomend getting involved with a group like ****. They care about those with mental illnesses.

Lynn** · 01-19-2005, 07:00 PM

Thank you for your advise. I would do anything I could to support him. I know that it's bothersome to go through this...and I was wondering IF this was "it". Is this an adjustment period or is this the way life was going to feel for him?

He's extremely open to me, and I feel, because I've experienced depression in my life that I definitely understand to a certain degree of what he's experiencing...it's just I don't fully appreciate what "bi polar" feels like. NOR do I want to stress him unnecessarily.

I do know that he's planning on speaking to his Dr. about these feelings..and I just want to be aware what he's experiencing to be the right type of support as he needs it!

Thank you again!

Lynn