Living with bipolar

[Jos]

I have been married for 44 years.  My wife, 70 years of age, has had recurring episodes of mania/depression throughout our marriage.  Serious episodes occur about every 5 or 6 years with 3 or 4 lesser episodes between the major episodes.  She has been treated by psychiatrists and medical managers continually.  She has taken lithium, halperidol and an assorment of other drugs throughout our marriage.



I was constantly hoping that she would some how outgrow this disability, and it has been about 5 years since the most recent seriious episode.



She is now having a serious bout of mania.



I have tried everything I know of, including praying her out of it, fighting her out of it, going manic with her, and nothing helps.



At my age, over 75, I do not have the resiliency necessary to cope anymore.  I am almost exhausted.



If anyone has an approach to get through this last (probably) episode, or any coping mechanisms to make this easier, I would greatly appreciate knowing of them.



I hope this is not a dumb question, but I did not know that these support groups existed.  If I had I would have certainly been here sooner.



Sorry, I have to go as she has just come into the room.



She left.





Continuing, she is a skilled patient, and presents a very normal and competent facade to the physicians.  Only after some time does she exhibit the illness.  She has been hospitalized 5 times throughout our marriage.  Each time for about 6-8 weeks.



Each hospitalization has been after really bizarre behavior.



I am tired of wrestling with her, any advice to make it easier to live with her illness will be greatly apprciated.



Thank you...



Joseph

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Joseph, you are in an impossible situation. Its almost impossible to manage mania alone at home and that is why hospitalization in the past has been necessary.



Do you have children or relatives who can help? Also, I wouldn't be so quick to discount medical treatment.  IN the last five years we have come along way, with new medications, for the treatment of mania.  But you must find a specialist in psychopharmacology to treat your wife.  You can find one through your nearest university medical center.



Even if your wife presents a normal facade, the doctor will be able to see through it because of her history, so I encourage you to follow through on this before you become totally exhausted.

[Robinbobin]

oh.. sad, sad, sad, I reallty feel for her.  May God bless her

[Prowl]

I fear I am starting at the beginning of the long road you have traveled. My wife was recently diagnosed bipolar with psychotic features a few months ago. At the time she had a severe manic episode coupled with delusions and paranoia. I had never experienced this before and had no idea what to do. She refused to be seen by a doctor and denied any problems whatsoever. Fortunate for me in her delusional state she went to the hospital to be "cured of the people who have been invading her mind", the doctor recognized her mental illness and had her committed. She stayed in the hospital 6 days. That was the first episode. She wasn't taking her meds as prescribed to her, because people in her life (mainly her mother) didn't want her on medications and told her she was just stressed. Without my knowledge she weaned herself off the meds and eventually had episode number two. This episode was particularly more aggressive than the previous one. Nothing physical, just verbally aggressive and hostile. This time however she recognized the voices in her head and agreed to seek help. We went to the ER, got a new prescription for the meds, and she started them again. It was too late. Her delusions worsened, however I was fortunate enough to convince her to go back to the doctor and get a different prescription. Once the doctor saw her, he agreed to commit her immediately. She stayed in the hospital 2 weeks this time. She's out now and taking her meds faithfully (for now).



My question for you is, has your wife had episodes while on her meds? This has thoroughly disrupted my life as well as our young daughter's life. I am a member of the military and with the current world situation, I've had to go to my commander and advise of my wife's mental health. I can not leave with her in this condition. Currently she seems normal, but those delusions still swim in her head and she still believes them to be true.



You've been dealing with this a lot longer than I have, and I am very stressed out by it. I do not have the strength to deal with another episode. What can I expect in the future?

[Artimas Prime]

I have bi-polor with psyhcosis i take lithium and seroquel.I'm having these jerky body movements but they cant be seen only felt.All the time it has happened i've always had just awoke from sleep and it dont do it every time.Can you tell me what is going on. Thank You