Bipolar II

[maillotpois]

My mother had Bipolar disorder, as well (the worst kind, where episodes result in psychosis). Starting in the early 60s, she went through every treatment/medication available, including old school ECT. The docs never really could get it under control until she was in her late 60s. Of course, back in the 60s-early 80s, mental illness was considered "shameful" so there was really no support for my dad or my siblings/myself. But I digress.
Colorisnt--thank God science has come a long way, as has society. You aren't alone. Everyone here has offered excellent advice. Sending you lots of good wishes.

That's exactly the same situation as my mom. She even had ECT quite recently as well as back in the 60's, which seemed to have helped. The anti psychotic drugs she was on for years have led to some pretty awful side effects for her lately, right when she seemed to have been getting things together.

[Selkie]

Sarah -- It's a horrible condition, particularly when the psychosis steals them from you (when I was 12, she thought the ice age was coming back and almost set the house on fire. She was trying to balance the environment in our house so the glacier wouldn't form over it, had the stove blasting, gas burners flaming up! The was one occasion where my dad had no trouble getting her committed!).

Sending you and your mom lots of good wishes.

Once they found the right meds for my mom, she was a different person. Of course, all those years of Haldol, Stellazine, Thorazine, Lithium, etc. took a toll.

[maillotpois]

Once they found the right meds for my mom, she was a different person. Of course, all those years of Haldol, Stellazine, Thorazine, Lithium, etc. took a toll.

Right - my mom now has Tardive dyskenesia because of all those meds. I'm probably spelling that wrong.

Thanks for the good wishes - sending them right back to you. It's a tough thing. Sounds like guys had a really rough time of it.

[colorisnt]

Wow, Selkie, I am glad to hear with the meds your mom finally got the help she needed. It's awful about the side effects, which I am certainly concerned about but I'm on such a low does that I don't know really if it is really a big worry.

I'm doing okay. Just trying to balance everything out here.

[Selkie]

Wow, Selkie, I am glad to hear with the meds your mom finally got the help she needed. It's awful about the side effects, which I am certainly concerned about but I'm on such a low does that I don't know really if it is really a big worry.

I'm doing okay. Just trying to balance everything out here.

Colorisnt - Remember, my mom's treatment began in the early 60s, and she was on a combo of various meds until she passed away in 2001. She was on some high doses, particularly after a hospitalization.

From what I understand, treatment today is so much better.... The best thing is that it's no longer seen as something shameful and is recognized as a medical condition, like diabetes.

Have you read Kay Jamison Redfeild's (I know I got her surname wrong, sorry) books on her own struggles w/bipolar?

A lot of very talented, intelligent people are/were bipolar.

[badgercat]

Have you read Kay Jamison Redfeild's (I know I got her surname wrong, sorry) books on her own struggles w/bipolar?

Close, Selkie--it's Kay Redfield Jamison, and the book is called An Unquiet Mind. It's an excellent read. I've shared it with a couple people who, while not bipolar, have/had clinical depression, and they found it to be a really moving story.

I don't have much to offer beyond book titles, but how wonderful that there are so many people here to empathize with and support you, colorisnt! Good luck with everything. Grad school is plenty hard enough all on its own.

[jelee1311]

Colorisnt you are brave and I hope things will get better soon. Since you are concrned about grad students and money have you tried maybe finding a forum or website for bipolar?It might give you some perspective from people that have bipolar. I look forward to hearing more from you and I will send good thoughts your way