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bipolar leading to obsessive paranoia

Answered by

Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness

Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.

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bipolar leading to obsessive paranoia

by lynz, Feb 22, 2004 12:00AM

Tags: bipolar, paranoia, mental, Health, Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health, family, years

My brother was diagnosed as bi-polar in his teens. He is now 48.  We live on opposite coasts so rarely see each other: I feel I would have 'recognized' how 'bad' he has gotten if I'd seen him: he was very good at 'acting normal' for brief enough encounters, I believe he has been 'worse' for over 5 years.  After several years of one stressful event after another, he developed an obession with money (based in reality, but even when repeated shown 'proof' he clings to it). This elevated into paranoia about the people involved with the money and then into his being investigated by a government agency (again based in reality: re: security check for his employment).

I understand the basics of paranoia and obsession (banging my head on a brick wall with him) but he started deteriorating so much that myself and other family members contacted his doctor (supply emails and describing phone conversations etc) and she simply said 'he loves his kids so much, and has accomplished so much in taking care of them': I agree he loves his kids and has/is surviving some hardships: but this man goes to work,somehow does his job, then comes home to this paranoia, venting it on his family & friends.  He gets verbally abusive, admitted to me once (in anger) that he'd spent 2 years feeling suicidal: he will, or course not 'hear' suggestions: re trying new meds (or even an MRI to see if they could determine if he is schizophrenic and may need different treatment etc..)

We can't get him to see a different doctor, I had to completely cut off communication with him (abuse) and the rest of the family followed suit.  I know he was on lithium, that they added on neurontin, but am uncertain what he is on now.  I know you can't give strict medical advice, but with the advent of so many new meds is there something that could be suggested to him to try? (Not that he'll listen or do it, but just so I can feel like we are all atleast still trying to help him.)

Thanks

lynz

Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D.

, Feb 23, 2004 12:00AM

Those two medications are the standard treatment approach at this time, and its largely a matter of achieving the right dose. If you can ever get through to your brother, it would be best if he also had therapy along with the medications. The medications alone are not enough.

Member Comments (4)

by lynz, Feb 23, 2004 12:00AM

To: Dr. RG

My brother has been in therapy most of his adult life, and with the same doctor. It has been suggested that he try a new doctor but he won't hear of it.

Thanks for the input: maybe I'll forward him a copy of the post, but then that just might get him jumping down my throat again.

Thank you for your time.

lynz

by Compassionate, Mar 23, 2004 12:00AM

I am 53 years old and was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disease three years ago. It took me a year to find the right combination of medicines. I will not disagree with the M.D.'s comment, but during the time I searched desperately for the right meds, I never heard of the combination of meds your brother is on. All the symptoms you speak of, and more, are what I experienced before I found the proper meds. I had more phobias than I care to list here, but they have "ALL" gone away. My shrink told me that lithium is a very old medication, and with the tremendous discoveries they have with new meds today, I'm surprised that his doctor is so apathetic to his condition. Hey, if he reads this, I hope he understands that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. He doesn't need to live in fear, and mental anguish anymore. Will switching Doctor's work? I know that as a Bi-Polar, the mere thought of telling another Doctor my history, and all the explanation that comes with it is pain staking. Instead of a change, I would tell him to be very asertive(which is not easy for Bi-Polar people), and tell his head doctor to start a new regiment of meds. I'm not a Doctor, but who knows better than his loved ones, and the personality disorders he is displaying. This disease is devastating, and although I didn't have thoughts of suicide, I told the Doctor I didn't know how I could live in the condition I was in. It is genetic by the way, and my Daughter has been diagnosed with it. She has had more than one episode of suicidal thoughts, and was off work for eight months. She is back to work, and with the proper meds, she is healthier than I've seen her since childhood, she is 27 now. You need to seek all the resources available to you. The misery you and and his family are going through is not fair, nor is it necessary. Don't give up. Through the trial and error period of searching for my meds, I thought I'd never find the ones that would work for me. Get him some help before it's to late. Something else I did every single night, Pray.

God Bless

by Compassionate, Mar 26, 2004 12:00AM

Walking on egg shells is a syndrome that most families deal with when disease attacks a loved one. Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, are types of diseases that cause loved ones to make things as comfortable as they can for the one that are affected by a potential deadly disease. Intervention in a loved ones behalf, no matter how dfficult it may be, is better than living with the guilt associated with the afficted ones future decisions, which could include harming himself, or others.

My wife saved my life with her intervention. I was furious with her at times, but remember I have a serious disease, and before I found the proper medication regimen, I was almost incapable of making decisions for myself. Tough love is a very difficult thing, but in this case it is imperative that someone care enough to save his life. Oh, do not try to do this on your own. Get all the support you can, family, and professionally. Try not to live in fear. His outburst are coming from a sick person. Try not to take it personally. Love him more for it. He is trying to maintain some independence, but in the end it's your strength, and the strength of loved ones that will get him through this. Don't give up. It may be a long time coming, but he can get better than you imagine. Good Luck

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