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Effects of drugs on bipolar?
My associate is a diagnosed bipolar. She is on Atavan and Depakote, but still seems to be spiraling downward in a huge and serious depression. She drinks alot of alcohol, which does not help.
Unfortunately, alot of things have happened recently to exacerbate long-standing emotional issues, but I am at my wit's end here. She is supposed to take 3 Depakote at night and Atavan during the day. But it just does NOT seem to work. Can she be resistant? Or just pigheaded enought to nullify the effects of the drug?
We tried an intervention; no luck. Any ideas on how to handle this? Her family has washed their hands off her...rightly so, unfortunately...she is more manic than depressive, but this depression looks very very serious.
ALL comments appreciated!
Thanks.
Unfortunately, alot of things have happened recently to exacerbate long-standing emotional issues, but I am at my wit's end here. She is supposed to take 3 Depakote at night and Atavan during the day. But it just does NOT seem to work. Can she be resistant? Or just pigheaded enought to nullify the effects of the drug?
We tried an intervention; no luck. Any ideas on how to handle this? Her family has washed their hands off her...rightly so, unfortunately...she is more manic than depressive, but this depression looks very very serious.
ALL comments appreciated!
Thanks.
I think I have been misdiagnosed as bipolar. I have ended up in the hospital the first time after smoking marijuana and it being laced with another drug and it was diagnosed as a brief psychotic episode. The second time it was after drinking strong liquor and a long period of smoking marijuanna. The third time I said some silly things but I was not manic or depressed but they kept me in the hospital. When I take the bipolar drugs I change and act different and it expands the thoughts I already have when I am on drugs. I never have moods that I can not control and when I read symptoms of bipolar I do not experience them. I notice that doctors are quick to diagnose and they do not analyze all factors and are quick to prescribe medicine because it is a huge money market. I wish I could find a doctor that could really help me and not be so interested in making money.
AnnaLee,
I think there may be a correlation to alcohol and Bipolar disorder in that alcohol changes moods.
I am Bipolar II, currently under control with proper medications and careful lifestyle issues of getting plenty of sleep, no alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar. It has been a year since I was hospitalized for a month and diagnozed a Bipolar.
I still have hypomanic and Depressed states but they are less severe and manageable with weekly sessions with my physchologist.
Many of my relatives are alcoholics and I feel that some are actually self medicating Bipolars.
I think there may be a correlation to alcohol and Bipolar disorder in that alcohol changes moods.
I am Bipolar II, currently under control with proper medications and careful lifestyle issues of getting plenty of sleep, no alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar. It has been a year since I was hospitalized for a month and diagnozed a Bipolar.
I still have hypomanic and Depressed states but they are less severe and manageable with weekly sessions with my physchologist.
Many of my relatives are alcoholics and I feel that some are actually self medicating Bipolars.
Is it true or not true, that most bipolar's are also alcoholics? a form of self medications? I took a course in bipolar and remembered that because I had a brother that was. Interesting. It may be like " what came first the chicken or the egg"?
Response to Vicki, 11/01/99 regarding Effects of drugs on Bipolar?
Vicki, There is a possibility that your associate has been misdiagnosed. Often alcoholics are diagnosed as Bipolar because the symptoms for alcoholism mimmick Bipolar and the alcoholic is less than honest with the mental health professional about their alcohol use (misuse). A good history needs to be done as to how long the person has been using alcohol, how much,& how often.
Vicki, There is a possibility that your associate has been misdiagnosed. Often alcoholics are diagnosed as Bipolar because the symptoms for alcoholism mimmick Bipolar and the alcoholic is less than honest with the mental health professional about their alcohol use (misuse). A good history needs to be done as to how long the person has been using alcohol, how much,& how often.
Hi Vicki,
I saw your post and wanted to respond. I have recently been diagnoised with bi-polar disorder. Bi-polar disorder is not uncommon with my family. My grandfather had it and my great uncle's daughters have it.
I have been on Prozac 40 mgs for the past 2 years. It hasn't not really done anything for me. So, I went to a psychologist. I meet with her every week. After my first visit she recommended that I see a psychiatrist. So, I saw him and he put me on a new medicine called Neurontin. It is a new medicine that is mainly to treat seizures, but they found out it is really helpful for bi-polar disorder.
I HOPE that this helps you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
I saw your post and wanted to respond. I have recently been diagnoised with bi-polar disorder. Bi-polar disorder is not uncommon with my family. My grandfather had it and my great uncle's daughters have it.
I have been on Prozac 40 mgs for the past 2 years. It hasn't not really done anything for me. So, I went to a psychologist. I meet with her every week. After my first visit she recommended that I see a psychiatrist. So, I saw him and he put me on a new medicine called Neurontin. It is a new medicine that is mainly to treat seizures, but they found out it is really helpful for bi-polar disorder.
I HOPE that this helps you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Dear Vicki,
"Classic mania", euphoria, expansive mood, racing thoughts, distractability and impulsive behavior is present in about 40-50% of all bipolar patients. Another 40% have mixed mania/depression.
Her combination of Depakote and Ativan are appropriate to treat her manic symptoms but it is imperative that she is on an adequate dosage of the mood stabilizer (Depakote). However, her depressive symptoms are a concern. This may be either due to the nature of the illness or the fact that she is abusing alcohol.
I would advise a re-consult with a mental health professional for a review of her symptoms and medications. If you feel that she is endangering her life by not eating, sleeping or is actively suicidal, you can take her to the nearest emergency room for an immediate evaluation.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - RG
"Classic mania", euphoria, expansive mood, racing thoughts, distractability and impulsive behavior is present in about 40-50% of all bipolar patients. Another 40% have mixed mania/depression.
Her combination of Depakote and Ativan are appropriate to treat her manic symptoms but it is imperative that she is on an adequate dosage of the mood stabilizer (Depakote). However, her depressive symptoms are a concern. This may be either due to the nature of the illness or the fact that she is abusing alcohol.
I would advise a re-consult with a mental health professional for a review of her symptoms and medications. If you feel that she is endangering her life by not eating, sleeping or is actively suicidal, you can take her to the nearest emergency room for an immediate evaluation.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - RG
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