Bipolar Disorder

nathansgirl1908 · May 20th, 2008, 10:34 AM

I have a question to ask you ladies. It is a rather long story.

I have a friend that I met in college who kind of became attached to me. At any rate, right before graduation she was in a terrible car accident that left her in a coma for weeks. Before the accident her behavior was always a bit bizarre to me. She would fly off the handle easily and have very erratic moods. I had to constantly walk on eggshells around her. After she came out of the coma the doctors said she had some brain damage, but not enough that it would severely impact her. However, she started hearing voices, started having even more wild mood swings, and eventually had an episode where she tried to kill her mother and sister with a butcher knife. She was subsequently disgnosed as having bipolar disorder. She started taking meds, then got off the meds because she was believing for God to heal her. She had another episode where she tried to kill someone and is now back on her meds.

Now this is my question...when you meet or know someone with bipolar disorder do you feel uncomfortable around them, to the point of not wanting to be bothered with them?

I ask this because I have noticed that many people that she knew well or only as aquaintances now no longer really seem to want to be around her once she tells them that she is bipolar. They don't return her calls, make up excuses not to spend time with her, and in general just act like she has the plague. I am one of the FEW people that still communicates with her, but I live several states away from her and so I can't see her on a regular basis. So it made me start to wonder if there is something about bipolar disorder that makes others wary of associating with that person.

Bagpuss · May 20th, 2008, 01:31 PM

Unfortunately there is a stigma attached to having a mental illness- most of the time it is portrayed stereotypically in the media as dangerous.
One good friend such as yourself is worth your weight in gold.

boxermom · May 20th, 2008, 02:02 PM

I know people who are bipolar. When the meds are correctly prescribed and TAKEN, I really saw little difference in them from anyone else. When something happens to throw the meds off or they decide they don't need or want to take them, that's when it's hard to be around them. Wild mood swings, crying jags, talking about inappropriate things, etc. For me it had more to do with how they were taking care of themselves medically.

Lots of people don't know much about the problem and may avoid her out of misconceptions.

nathansgirl1908 · May 20th, 2008, 02:57 PM

Yeah I get the sense that they are afraid of her. It really is sad. But I know it disturbs me sometimes when I am talking to her and she starts to sound a little "strange." After talking to her yesterday I have the uneasy feeling that she is about to have another episode.

LAltiero85 · May 20th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathansgirl1908

Yeah I get the sense that they are afraid of her. It really is sad. But I know it disturbs me sometimes when I am talking to her and she starts to sound a little "strange." After talking to her yesterday I have the uneasy feeling that she is about to have another episode.

Yup, I can understand people feeling a little scared around her. I think it is very sweet that you haven't given up on her though. You are a great friend. It's not her fault she is mentally ill. She should definitely keep up on her meds though, because she could hurt herself or others.

Lanier · May 20th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Unfortunately I think this is common. My mom suffered from bipolar disorder and mild schizophrenia. Most of her friends dropped her when she started getting sicker. It was heartbreaking to watch. You are a good person for continuing to offer friendship to your college friend. Do you have any other friends in common with her?

nathansgirl1908 · May 20th, 2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanier

Unfortunately I think this is common. My mom suffered from bipolar disorder and mild schizophrenia. Most of her friends dropped her when she started getting sicker. It was heartbreaking to watch. You are a good person for continuing to offer friendship to your college friend. Do you have any other friends in common with her?

I have one other friend in common with her and that person lives in Los Angeles. My friend lives in Chicago.

addisonshopper · May 21st, 2008, 10:37 AM

I believe that everyone in the world has a slight case of bi-polar- so there is nothing wrong with it- just like having cancer or any other illness that just comes about
I mean really we all have mood swings and good and bad days....
A friend commented one day about her co- worker being a bit bi-polar and another lady commented- well sh@@ arent we all......
Road rage, bills, stress, kids, etc.....all has an effect on our moods and how we address everything about our day...

mm16 · May 21st, 2008, 01:39 PM

Okay so I'm not a doctor, but I'm in school to be a psychiatrist and from what you've said in this thread it sounds like she has severe bipolar disorder and most likely she is a little schizophrenic (mild).

I've seen many different levels of bipolar (on and off meds) and she definitely sounds like she is near severe.

Anyway, good for you for sticking it out with her. People who suffer from disorders such as bipolar, etc are very hard to be around sometimes.. kudos to you for being there..

DamierAddict · May 21st, 2008, 05:21 PM

its very nice that your such a good friend and stick by her

but if my friend tried killing her mother and sister... i would probably understand why no1 wants to be around her =\

hell_lo_kitty · May 21st, 2008, 05:31 PM

My grandmother has pretty bad bipolar disoder, along with several other mental and physical illnesses.

It can be tough being around her at times.

But my family just keeps telling ourselves that we love her no matter what and that no matter how bad the episode is, she will get better.

She always takes her meds, but she has many, many other illnesses that can sometimes effect how they work, so it's a constant battle to keep her levels correct.

I think it's great that you're still a good friend to her, even if you don't live in the same state and don't see much of her. You friendship still counts.

Blobby · May 21st, 2008, 05:31 PM

A true friend is a friend indeed !!!

nathansgirl1908 · May 21st, 2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm16

Okay so I'm not a doctor, but I'm in school to be a psychiatrist and from what you've said in this thread it sounds like she has severe bipolar disorder and most likely she is a little schizophrenic (mild).

I've seen many different levels of bipolar (on and off meds) and she definitely sounds like she is near severe.

Anyway, good for you for sticking it out with her. People who suffer from disorders such as bipolar, etc are very hard to be around sometimes.. kudos to you for being there..

I'm glad you said that about schizophrenia. I was thinking that myself.

Ironically I just read an article in Newsweek about a little boy with bipolar disorder. So heartbreaking and it really opened my eyes to how severe and disabling this illness can be.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and responses.

lorihmatthews · May 21st, 2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm16

Okay so I'm not a doctor, but I'm in school to be a psychiatrist and from what you've said in this thread it sounds like she has severe bipolar disorder and most likely she is a little schizophrenic (mild).

I've seen many different levels of bipolar (on and off meds) and she definitely sounds like she is near severe.

Anyway, good for you for sticking it out with her. People who suffer from disorders such as bipolar, etc are very hard to be around sometimes.. kudos to you for being there..

mm16 is right on target with her thoughts.

I would encourage you to tell her to stay on meds, they will help her function. If she wants God to heal her again maybe you can mention that God made these drugs to help people like her. Unfortunately she's going to need those drugs for the rest of her life.

PrinceAbdullah · May 22nd, 2008, 12:57 AM

I think I have bipolar disorder... My mood always changes.. Maybe a little ADD too lol, I also procrastinate way to much, don't know what to do to get help...

May 20th, 2008, 10:34 AM	#1
nathansgirl1908 Getting close!! Location: NC	Bipolar Disorder I have a question to ask you ladies. It is a rather long story. I have a friend that I met in college who kind of became attached to me. At any rate, right before graduation she was in a terrible car accident that left her in a coma for weeks. Before the accident her behavior was always a bit bizarre to me. She would fly off the handle easily and have very erratic moods. I had to constantly walk on eggshells around her. After she came out of the coma the doctors said she had some brain damage, but not enough that it would severely impact her. However, she started hearing voices, started having even more wild mood swings, and eventually had an episode where she tried to kill her mother and sister with a butcher knife. She was subsequently disgnosed as having bipolar disorder. She started taking meds, then got off the meds because she was believing for God to heal her. She had another episode where she tried to kill someone and is now back on her meds. Now this is my question...when you meet or know someone with bipolar disorder do you feel uncomfortable around them, to the point of not wanting to be bothered with them? I ask this because I have noticed that many people that she knew well or only as aquaintances now no longer really seem to want to be around her once she tells them that she is bipolar. They don't return her calls, make up excuses not to spend time with her, and in general just act like she has the plague. I am one of the FEW people that still communicates with her, but I live several states away from her and so I can't see her on a regular basis. So it made me start to wonder if there is something about bipolar disorder that makes others wary of associating with that person. __________________ *Faith makes those things that are not, as though they were, until they become.* HA HA HA Feels great!

May 20th, 2008, 01:31 PM	#2
Bagpuss Purseaholic	Re: Bipolar Disorder Unfortunately there is a stigma attached to having a mental illness- most of the time it is portrayed stereotypically in the media as dangerous. One good friend such as yourself is worth your weight in gold.

May 20th, 2008, 02:02 PM	#3
boxermom Member Location: North Carolina	Re: Bipolar Disorder I know people who are bipolar. When the meds are correctly prescribed and TAKEN, I really saw little difference in them from anyone else. When something happens to throw the meds off or they decide they don't need or want to take them, that's when it's hard to be around them. Wild mood swings, crying jags, talking about inappropriate things, etc. For me it had more to do with how they were taking care of themselves medically. Lots of people don't know much about the problem and may avoid her out of misconceptions.

May 20th, 2008, 02:57 PM	#4
nathansgirl1908 Getting close!! Location: NC	Re: Bipolar Disorder Yeah I get the sense that they are afraid of her. It really is sad. But I know it disturbs me sometimes when I am talking to her and she starts to sound a little "strange." After talking to her yesterday I have the uneasy feeling that she is about to have another episode. __________________ *Faith makes those things that are not, as though they were, until they become.* HA HA HA Feels great!

May 20th, 2008, 03:34 PM	#6
Lanier Eeek! It's a mouse! Location: The Southeast	Re: Bipolar Disorder Unfortunately I think this is common. My mom suffered from bipolar disorder and mild schizophrenia. Most of her friends dropped her when she started getting sicker. It was heartbreaking to watch. You are a good person for continuing to offer friendship to your college friend. Do you have any other friends in common with her? __________________ I the University of Georgia

May 21st, 2008, 10:37 AM	#8
addisonshopper Preggoliscious ... Location: WASH/DC/VA	Re: Bipolar Disorder I believe that everyone in the world has a slight case of bi-polar- so there is nothing wrong with it- just like having cancer or any other illness that just comes about I mean really we all have mood swings and good and bad days.... A friend commented one day about her co- worker being a bit bi-polar and another lady commented- well sh@@ arent we all...... Road rage, bills, stress, kids, etc.....all has an effect on our moods and how we address everything about our day... __________________ only one ticker please

May 21st, 2008, 01:39 PM	#9
mm16 #1 Pug Lover~! Location: Avon Lake, Ohio	Re: Bipolar Disorder Okay so I'm not a doctor, but I'm in school to be a psychiatrist and from what you've said in this thread it sounds like she has severe bipolar disorder and most likely she is a little schizophrenic (mild). I've seen many different levels of bipolar (on and off meds) and she definitely sounds like she is near severe. Anyway, good for you for sticking it out with her. People who suffer from disorders such as bipolar, etc are very hard to be around sometimes.. kudos to you for being there.. __________________ Visit my mom's blog, www.jollieprimitives.blogspot.com. Visit imy mom's new website, www.jollieprimitives.com.

May 21st, 2008, 05:21 PM	#10
DamierAddict Member Location: NY	Re: Bipolar Disorder its very nice that your such a good friend and stick by her but if my friend tried killing her mother and sister... i would probably understand why no1 wants to be around her =\ __________________ www.celebfashionblog.com Katherine Kwei bag giveaway ^ What celebrities are wearing? Fall Must Haves ! take a look

May 21st, 2008, 05:31 PM	#11
hell_lo_kitty Proud Freak!!!!!	Re: Bipolar Disorder My grandmother has pretty bad bipolar disoder, along with several other mental and physical illnesses. It can be tough being around her at times. But my family just keeps telling ourselves that we love her no matter what and that no matter how bad the episode is, she will get better. She always takes her meds, but she has many, many other illnesses that can sometimes effect how they work, so it's a constant battle to keep her levels correct. I think it's great that you're still a good friend to her, even if you don't live in the same state and don't see much of her. You friendship still counts. __________________

May 21st, 2008, 05:31 PM	#12
Blobby Member	Re: Bipolar Disorder A true friend is a friend indeed !!!

May 22nd, 2008, 12:57 AM	#15
PrinceAbdullah Sofa King Banned	Re: Bipolar Disorder I think I have bipolar disorder... My mood always changes.. Maybe a little ADD too lol, I also procrastinate way to much, don't know what to do to get help...