manic/schitzophrenic borderline - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Kokopelli · 09-14-2002, 06:43 AM

This is basically for chrys but anyone jump in.. bev, starcat? or whoever is reading this post.

chrys since you have studied alot about bi-polar when or how do we see the signs of each illness (since they both are different) say for instance the doctors diagnose david with bi-polar and then go back to schitzophrenia how can I help his doctors conclude the diagnose, since I take care of him and know him better.
16 years of my family taking care of david with this illness is a long time. And to this day they still will not all agree he is schitzophrenic I feel people like starcat are going to having a rougher time caring for their loved one if they don't have a true diagnose of the illness. Although more doctors that have studied david say he is schitzophrenic and we have seen schitzophrenic type behavior more so on his point there is still times doctors say he may be bi-p (I know nothing on bi-polar) Bev I read somewhere where your husband tells you to slow down a bit and that you don't realize you are having these episodes.. David doesn't ever stop anymore he cannot seem to figure out even a kind voice telling him to slow down so they obviously have your illness pinpointed and are treating you properly (I hate saying illness). Can you give me some pointers?

Hugs
Koko

when you give up your dreams your life is over
never give up your goals, fight to the end

bev52 · 09-14-2002, 12:19 PM

Hi Koko,
Yes, I have a tendency to get on a roll...I get faster, and louder and continue to pick up momentum until some one says something. My hubby, doc, family have told me "you almost sound like you're speaking another language" or..."you sound like it's a life and death situation!" These kind of comments can really set me off. I'm desperately trying to make them understand something that is very important to me and they're treating as if it's really nothing. In reality, it probably and usually isn't as important as I thought it was - but at the time - it seemed incredibly important and their remarks just made me want to grab them and shake a dumplin out of 'em!
When I'm through that 'episode,' usually I can see that what I was trying so hard to get across...really wasn't that big of a deal and lacking in importance, as they tried to tell me. I think the key, (as bconn mentioned), is family and those around the bipolar person....need to have as much insight as possible because it REALLY does make a difference as to how we are talked to when in that state.

Hope I've helped a little,
Hugs,
Bev

bconn seems to be quite knowledgeable in this area. Hope she comes on the scene w/something to add.

09-14-2002, 08:03 PM

Ok, I will jump in but I know nothing about Schizophrenia. I do know about bi-polar manic episodes and I can control mine most of the time. I think that I might be somewhat unusual in that I can control my episodes to a degree but I don't think I am the only one that can.

I think that doctors and all the mental health people want to treat bi-polar people with medicines rather than take the longer route of teaching them how to change their lives to deal with their thought process. It is hard but it can be done and you have to work at it all the time. It does become easier because you find that you are happier.

I think that your spouse is much sicker than I was (or am) and I feel so sorry for both of you. I want you to know that it is important to help as much as you can but do not destroy your own mind doing what you can't do! You can't cure but you can love. Sixteen years is a lifetime when you are dealing with stress of bi-polar episodes much less Schizophrenia!

Keep trying to find the right way for you both. It may actually be the meds but ask questions all the time. Don't take it for granted that the doctors know what is best. They don't always. You do because you are the one there. You can see what is helping and what isn't. Insist that they change the meds if they aren't helping or if the meds are making things worse. All you have to do is watch this board or read about meds to find that a lot of people have problems with the meds that doctors insist are helping when they aren't.

In the meantime, remember that a kind voice helps (us) much more than screaming or accusing (not that I think that you are doing that) because we get so damn defensive so damn easy and you usually won't even know it!

Please know that healing thoughts are being sent your way!

Brenda aka bconn

StarCat · 09-16-2002, 07:52 AM

Cheers for Koko for starting the perfect topic for me! Now that I'm back at work where I have internet access....let me flex my typing muscles........

Oh my gosh it is SOOO frustrating not being sure of the diagnosis. Today will be a huge day for my b/f as his primary hospital doc returns from vacation, and will be made aware of the mania and paranoia that's been occurring. I am obviously not a doc, although I feel like I'm just as qualified to make a diagnosis, since I'm the only one w/ Mental Health expertise that knows my b/f real well...some ego I have huh? I am stuck on Bipolar type 1 w/ Schizo-affective, mostly b/c my psychiatrist thinks he's Bipolar 1, not schizophrenic. The doc there only dx'd Bipolar 1. And like I said, my psychiatrist, who of course has never seen my b/f, also thinks that he is Bipolar 1....because even Bipolar people can get paranoid. She also said that with his history of paranoia, it doesn't matter what the dx is, because he'll still get the right meds (antipsychotics in addition to mood-stabilizers).
BUT IT MATTERS TO THE FAMILY AND ME

But Chrys (as usual) made a good point that maybe doc's are being more cautious with dx's lately in part because they realize the intricacies of mental health, and acknowledge that they don't have all the answers. I've been keeping a log of my b/f's behavior and mood, which I hope will be helpful to a doc someday... Right now, he is still blazing manic, although they're trying to dope him up to "slow him down" so they don't have to keep restraining him. I've tried nonchalantly mentioning the volume and tone of his voice in an effort to alert him to his state, but he keeps insisting that he's just happy.

I think having a support network is vital, since so often the sufferer cannot pinpoint a mood-swing as easily as family, etc. I just wish the doctors would listen more closely to the families for feedback on what the sufferer is really like. Doc's really don't end up knowing what the sufferer is "normally" like, since they don't see him/her unless something is wrong (at least in a hospital setting).

Well, I've done my share of rambling. Hugs to all,
StarCat

bev52 · 09-16-2002, 08:54 AM

I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to share, and draw from your resources. You have all helped me and I have great appreciation for your time.

It hasn't been all that long ago that I was dx'd w/bipolar...I just hate to admit this infront of all of you...but I'm still just a little in denial.

Family and friends 'don't want me to be - Bi-Polar,' and have said, "I just don't believe that doc knows what he's talking about, and you shouldn't be so quick to believe everything you're told." It makes me feel like they don't want to be associated w/someone that's mentally ill....well, neither do I! My family and friends are COMPLETELY in denial! Unfortunately, I can't get away from it if it's true...and from everything I've read -- I fit the ticket and this is the 2nd psych that has told me that.

Well, enough about me and my piddly little things going on. I know it pales in comparison to what Koko and StarCat are up against.

I'm hoping to hear good news from you Koko, and StarCat.

Best Wishes and please care of yourselves,

Bev

[This message has been edited by bev52 (edited 09-16-2002).]