Bi Polar disorder

Anyone have any recommendations on websites, treatment, etc for bi-polar disorder? I am only learning about this now and someone I know needs help. It's a terrible and confusing problem and I'm trying to understand.

I just left you a mesage about this.  My stepfather was diagnosed with this a few years ago.  As far as medical treatment went, the put him on Depakote, which worked really well when he actually took it.  The problem was he liked being manic and would go off the meds.  It took a good year or two before he was consistently med-compliant.  There used to be some sites my mom would use for general info etc; I'll have a search and see if I can find them.  You're right; it can be really confusing.  Hang in there.  *hugs*

every person with bipolar requires a different treatment, and it takes a lot of trial and error. (i was diagnosed with bipolar almost three years ago and only got the proper med combination in the last 5 months.)

a couple of patient-oriented boards are at www.crazyboards.org and www.crazymeds.org. (they used to be one site, but then split a year or two ago.)

there's tons and tons and tons of info available online. if you have any specific questions, though, send me a message.

It is indeed VERY confusing and like Jen252 says, there are lots of variations. You could start with Mind's website - they are very credible and a great resource: http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+manic+depression.htm

My Son was originally diagnosed with bipolar disorder before we moved here.  The best book if its for a child is The Bipolar Child by Papalos.  Best book I ever read. In fact, it may be a good place to start because it goes through testing and all medication treatments.

I guess for me, I tell everybody to be sure to have the liver function test ran first because liver disfunction can show up as bipolar symptoms.  Also, have an EEG for brain wave activity.  Abnormalities in the temporal lobe should show up if it's bipolar disorder - also this will show if epilepsy is causing the mood disorder instead of being a chemical embalance.

Try the NAMI - they do a lot of research and work with Bipolar disorder.  You can also check into drug studies being done.  I know UTMB in Galveston Texas is doing a lot of research studies.

Good luck.

~BEG

Thanks everyone for your help and input. Although he definitely has bi-polar and needs help, the problem is that he refuses outwright to take any drugs. Because of the series of complications he had to go through, and still is to an extent, of being on various antidepressants he just won't take more than cocodamol. It's a losing battle because he has to realise that he can't get better on his own but I know otherwise. I've been getting registered at a new GP to test them out to see if maybe they will be better for him. As soon as I feel confident in that, I will have him register which he is willing to do. It's a really hard time dealing with someone feeling so good for a few weeks then so depressed and blaming you because you're the closest there. I love him more than anything and want to help but I don't know how much more I can do

My brother is bi-polar.  It's a sad and sometimes hard thing to deal with depending on how severe it is.  Our family has been dealing with it for years.  PM me if you have any questions.

My brother is bi-polar.  It's a sad and sometimes hard thing to deal with depending on how severe it is.  Our family has been dealing with it for years.  PM me if you have any questions.

Ditto to this for me (although I've got two bipolar siblings- my sister and my little brother.)  It's hard when you see a family member or close friend go through it.  I'm also available to answer questions or just commiserate.

I should add that being on medication makes a huge difference in the kind of life they can have.  That was a big problem with my brother, and also many people who have it, is thinking they are okay and don't need to be on any meds.  At his worst, my brother was the homeless 'crazy' guy on the streets, talking to himself and in another world and court ordered to stay away from his children for five years.  Today, he's lived in the same place for two years, been pretty stable for a little longer than that, sees his kids almost every weekend, his daughter loves him to death, and is very involved with our family.  It's taken years to finally get a doctor to declare him disabled because of being bi-polar and now he gets benefits and is court mandated to stay on his medication.  He also finally has a great support team in the mental health professionals on his case.  I don't mean to scare you or anyone who is dealing with that but just wanted to show how important being on medication is.  He still has his moments but that usually means his meds need to be altered.  A huge difference is that our family, mainly my mother, never gave up on him.