A Manic Episode? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Jovial206 · 01-23-2005, 11:07 AM

My ex-boyfriend was diagnosed about two years ago as having his bipolar disorder in full remission. (Through research, I now know that it never really goes away, but that is what his doctors' report actually says). He had successfully weaned off his medication under his doctor's supervision. He was very excited about marrying me this year and it was obvious to all who knew us that he was deeply in love with me. One night in the car, I asked him a simple question about an issue that was extremely sensitive to him and he got more angry than I had ever seen him. He yelled at me and drove erratically. He commanded me to shut my mouth, which he has never done before. I was scared of him for the first time.

A week later he broke up with me, telling me that what we had died that night. He didn't love me anymore, not the way he did before.

I think of the symptoms that I've read regarding the disorder such as erratic driving, impulsiveness, the absence of emotions except for fear and anxiety.

What do you think? Could that have been a manic episode?

princesspea · 01-23-2005, 12:19 PM

Hi Jovial,

I personally have never heard of anyone with bp in remmission. I especially don't know how someone could dx that when he was on meds. Did you actually see the doctors report or is that what you were told? I'm not saying that bp's are liers. I am saying that that is one area we tend to lie about. Denile can be our middle name. If that's what the doctor said he was probably a quack or covering himself for some reason. It just doesn't make sense to me. I could be wrong maybe someone else has heard of such a thing. Depending on what type of bp he had he could have long period of semi stable behavior where his highs weren't to high and his lows weren't too low.

As to his behavior in the car. I'm not a doctor and don't know your X but, the whole thing could have been part of a manic episode. There's a chance that it was or he could have just lost it. His behavior falls within the symptoms of mania but, not knowing what lead up to the problem I can't give you a very solid answer. I'm sorry. Hope this helped in some way.

Love,

Jamie

Jovial206 · 01-23-2005, 01:19 PM

I actually saw the report.

Yes, you have been helpful. Thanks.

*music23* · 01-23-2005, 03:01 PM

Bipolar can go into remission. It is always in your body, your chemistry... but some people can go long periods of time completely asymptomatic. I read a case where a woman with bipolar went into remission and got off her meds and stayed fine for over 40 YEARS! And one day, she started cycling again! Those people are the lucky ones.
Also, for many people, particularly non-rapid cyclers, there are "normal" periods between their highs and lows. Those are probably indistinguishable from an actual "remission" until a cycle starts again. Or maybe they are considered the same thing.
And yes, I would say that sounded like a mania. I am very sorry. Best of luck working everything out.
Kristina

Ruth6:11 · 01-23-2005, 03:46 PM

You raise a very interesting question - but I'm pretty sure that the answer lies in the actual dictionary meaning of the word remission.
The word "Remission" doesn't refer to a cure. For example, I haven't had a mania or depression in 20 yrs. I am "in remission" due to the lithium I take. There is no doubt in my mind that I would begin cycling within months (not right away since my cycles were farther apart).

In answer to your question about your boyfriend (and I question whether he was truly bipolar if he has been off meds for a year or two without a moodswing) I found the following on a bipolar disorder neuroanatomy site:

Even in remission, patients with bipolar disorder remain sensitive to external stressors that can trigger new episodes.

Hope this helps a bit, it's a mystery to me that they pulled him off meds. I'm tempted to think that they told him he was in remission and HE chose to go off his meds on his own, but I could be wrong..