Does Stress affect BiPolar?

[Linda2962]

I was diagnosed with BiPolar about 3 or 4 years ago.  

Recently, my husband was in the hospital.  He was going through a lot of stuff.  It turned out to be a cyst pressing on his vocal chords.  So,  the doctor went in and took it out.  The cyst was full of pus and infection.  He is finally home, as of this last Tuesday(12/16).  I've been giving him IV antibiotics since then, and will be until Jan. 7th.  

[horselover65]

I don't know what else is going on, but dealing with that type illness in a loved one would be inherently stressful. Worrying about them is also stressful. It could easily make things worse. It's emotionally painful when someone we care about is sick and/or in pain. If you're helping with meds and IVs, then there may also be the worry of messing something up. Depending on your insurance situation, you may also have financial concerns. If there are other things happening, and how couldn't there be at this time of year, then all of that will build. It wouldn't surprise me if you've become at least a bit more unstable. If it were my husband, I wouldn't stop obsessing over it until the doctors gave him a completely clean bill of health. I hope he is doing well and that you feel better soon. I'd check in with your psychiatrist if you think things are out of hand.

[LeftCoastChick]

My mum ended up with a staph infection after having a lumpectomy. She was sent home with an IV, their reasoning is that folks getting better faster at home AND there are less risk "bugs". In my mum's case, they just botched the surgery. A lawsuit is pending at this time.
My mum had a nurse come by once a day a flush the pic line and clean the IV. Pretty standard these days, and much cheaper for insurance. But after my mum got the staph, I was glad she went home.  (that's my story in a nutshell)

[ILADVOCATE]

I feel bad for what you are going through but again not quite enough details. But if your question is does stress affect bipolar of course, markedly so. For everyone. Even for myself with schizoaffective disorder having made a good recovery I still when I do something of importance such as represent someone for benefits will have panic attacks days before and after. And as for when things happen to family members, when one of my elderly relatives has a cardiac condition where they end up in the hospital it will set off a chain reaction in myself.
  If you are having your bipolar symptoms worsen that would be to be expected. But more importantly why should you have to administer IV antibiotics? There should be some insurance coverage that would provide for home attendant care temporarily until your husband recovers. You shouldn't be expected to handle that even if you didn't have bipolar. You are compassionate to help him and support him but that part should be handled by a home home health aide who is a professional.

[monkeyc]

LetaB is right, there not enough information here really.

Short answer is yes stress affects bipolar, it can bring on both depression and hypomania and it can be very dangerous - therapy is the most effective way to learn how to control stress but if it is causing anxiety there are medications that can help short term, best advice is see your doctor.

High stress environments can be harmfull to anyone mental health.

[LeftCoastChick]

Stress can always and I mean always make your BP feel worse, especially if it's not controlled well enough in the first place. Many folks, including myself, get worse if we've been physically ill. Stress is a HUGE trigger. You need to make sure you do enough self care for, but I know how hard it is when going through such a stressful time. I would suggest also seeing your pdoc and or GP to review your meds, in case they need to be tweeked. I hope your husband feels better soon

[LetaB]

There doesn't seem to be enough information here - what sort of symptoms are you experiencing that you think are being caused by this added stress?