"Dealing with Bipolar II disorder...." Topic

I'm dealing with a family member who has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder (what in the old days they called manic depressive).

Its a brutal disorder and I'm trying learn as much as possible to figure out where my relative's actions & behaviour is coming from.

I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with this disorder and can recommend any reading material or online resources to educate myself.

Thanks for any suggestions.

One thing about bipolar disorder is that there is another disease state that is similar and they is often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.

Narcissistic personality disorders are frequently mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar disorder.

The effects can be similar since the symptoms are so similar. One good book to start with is:

link

I'm sorry to hear about your family member's diagnosis, Uesugi. I don't know of anyone personally who suffers from that malady, but I can strongly encourage you to learn all you can and arm yourself with the facts. When my now-sainted Mom was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes 21 years ago, I learned all I could about it, and used my knowledge about it to help her, although she became proactive in helping herself. She never had any problems with it as long as she lived.

Before she passed, she was diagnosed with what was later termed as "advanced Alzheimer's dementia", which was basically a slower form of Alzheimer's. Again, learning about it demystified it for me and my brother and sister, and we were able to help her the best we could. So, you see, learning about bipolar disorder will empower you and your loved ones in helping your affected family member.

I did some quick searching for you and found the following:

From Wikipedia:
link

From the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
link

From the Mayo Clinic:
link

From the American Psychological Association (APA):
apa.org/topics/bipolar

I applaud you for taking the first step in your wanting to help your loved one. I'll also pray for them, for you, and for your family.

I too have a family member suffering, and despite attempts to get them treatment, when all else failed I found a good therapist to help cope with their condition myself. Worked wonders and I highly recommend it. It's important to note that like any other medical professional, they're not all created equal so don't get turned off if you don't like the first therapist you find.

Was married to a bipolar, who later was rediagnosed as a schizophrenic for 9 years. Best of luck to you my friend. My advice, they will say and do some very hurtful things. Try not to take it too personally. A lot of what they're saying is the disease talking, even if they are medicated, all the medication can really do is manage the symptoms to an extent. Get yourself some therapy too. I didn't and I regret that. Whatever happens, try your best, it's all you can do.

Thanks a all for excellent advice. I myself have wrestled with depression and have sought counselling in the past. So I've got a little background in dealing with depression, medication and therapy.

Manic drpressives are a WHOLE other bag though.

@Saginaw, thank you so much for your kind, thoughtful reply. I did find the Wiki page very informative.

Thanks again for the helpful info, your experience, and for the support.

link
I have no experience to judge how good this documentary is

Thanks for the link Nikola, I'll check it out. Some other good stuff there as well.

UK

Sir I have 3 friends with the disorder. The biggest problem is keeping them taking the meds. They are going to feel better and say the meds are making them feel weird, then try to go without taking them. (They all seem to do this) Then they have swings 10 times worse coming off the meds then they had before starting them. (this can be very dangerous to themselves and others) So do everything you can to keep them on the meds once they start them.
I wish you all the luck

Thank you Ron, and don't call me "Sir",….I work for a living.

;-)

Good documentary. One of the things it emphasized that I had already learned is that you must keep a good sense of humor when dealing with BP people.