| Resources/Community Housing
My mother has suffered from Bipolar disorder for almost 25 years, half of her life. I believe she is an extreme case, suffering from not only mania and depression but also psychotic symptoms (although the psychotic symptoms developed later in life).
Before moving forward, I'll provide a brief history of her battle with this terrible, unexplainable illness. My mother has a deep genetic predisposition to mental illness--considering her grandmother as well as her two brothers also suffer from the illness. After giving birth to my brother, she developed post-partum depression, but we later learned this was not an accurate diagnosis as the manic symptoms surfaced later down the road. She was initially put on prozac, one of the worst drugs for anyone with this disease and was later switched to lithium once the mania was full blown. Lithium did not hold her. She refused to take her medication like most people suffering from the illness. My mother had some good moments when she was on her meds, but she was never the same and unfortunately, as the years went on, she only got worse. She became out of control-and eventually my father, despite an incredible fight to help her, divorced her. She ran wild for a couple of years--on and off meds that just didn't work for her--until she was put on Zyprexa. This is the only drug that has held my mother. She has been endearing, positive, happy and enjoyable to converse with...granted side effects are terrible between the weight gain, sedation and the diabetes risk. As a result of finding the right medication, she has been manic free for almost 5 years until two months ago when the Psychiatrist switched her back onto Lithium. She stopped taking her meds and his back in a manic phase. Trying to get her back on track now, but feel we may have to hospitalize her…
This relapse was particularly bad--and as a result--I've been considering assisted living/community options for my mother. When she is taking her medication, she is independent and can lead a very simple lifestyle, but feel assisted living is still needed.
I am willing to pay a high premium for a nice housing community and was wondering if anyone had any information in this area.
Thanks for your help. And if I can return the favor with any insight into living with a loved one suffering with bipolar disorder, please don't hesitate to inquire.
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