Frustration/Relationships - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

kikyo · 05-21-2003, 07:34 PM

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was about 15. My life has been a constant of ups and downs, whether it just be my own mindframe or just the situations in my life. I've had a few bad boyfriends and a bad father, a not so stable life in the long run.. But it seems like I've gotten all of that past me just to face the hardships of my life in the present.
Lately, my normal feelings of loneliness, sadness, etc. have changed into frustration, stress, and anger (which can be physically unhealthy, I've noticed). My current relationship seems to be going non-stop downhill because of my constant bickering and frustration-caused fighting.
I've taken several differant medications for my disorder(s) including; Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft..All of them rendered horrific side effects which only made things much worse.. I need a good stress reducer, something that'll keep me from being so uptight..

Any suggestions?

HoosierBj · 05-22-2003, 07:22 AM

I started having problems when I was 13 but wasn't diagnosed correctly until I was 30.
In my case, alot of my hardships, poor choices, bad relationships were due to my bi-polar disorder.
It's hard enough in life to make great choices when your brain isn't totally out of balance!!
Between 13 & 30 they had me on Valium to Thorazine & everything in between. I had side effects from the drugs they gave me for the side effects I got from the original drug they were trying!
The only thing that has worked for me is Lithium. From what I see on this board it seems that its not the first choice of medications anymore. But its cheap and a study-proven success in a majority of bi-polars. There are new drugs coming along every day and I'm glad for that, too.
None of the drugs you listed are classified as a drug which specifically acts to stabilize the moods in a bi-polar patient. Many bi-polars have had good luck with Lithium, Depakote, Zyprexa, Tegretol which work to actually stabilize the mood swings.
I'm personally leery of most anti-depressents since they can "boomerang" and instead being depressed, the bi-polar now manic (or REALly on edge)!
There may be a reason that your doctor has not put you on a mood stabilizer (is he a regular M.D. or a psychiatrist - who tends to be more familiar with bi-polar disorder) but you msy want to ask.
And keep coming back! You're already an expert here the minute you sign on!!
Bj

[This message has been edited by HoosierBj (edited 05-22-2003).]

kikyo · 05-22-2003, 01:41 PM

I'm pretty sure he was a regular M.D. He seemed to ask undetailed questions about how I felt, then all he'd do was prescribe me and suggest talk therapy. I had to learn a lot on my own..

Ozymandias · 05-22-2003, 10:08 PM

Got lots of suggestions - do any of them work? Dunno.

I'm an adrenaline junky; doing something dangerous makes me feel good, but then I'm trying to work that out with my shrink.
Exercise does help, but when I'm depressed I don't have the energy, when I'm manic I don't have the concentration.
Sleep... well, they tell me that regular sleep would help, I'll let you know if I ever find out.
Alcohol is a bad idea, but jamocha almond fudge ice cream will cure anything (just don't o.d.)
I think I'm starting to make no sense even to me...

rsg · 05-23-2003, 06:59 AM

If you are bi polar, you really shouldn't take ssri's. They go from making you feel good to rage. ssri=paxil, zoloft etc...That is what happenend to me anywayI was loving my Zoloft and loving the world then one day I snapped. meds now=depakote, seroquel,klonipin. I am still not leveled out, and think I need something else but I am not sure what .This is a b****of a disease huh?