Bipolar Disorder

[JLM]

I understand that some people are born with bi polar disorder but a substantial percentage contract it after using street drugs. I'm just wondering if anyone happens to know what that percentage is. My wife has a niece who is bi polar contracted that way. Normally a brilliant person, but when off the rails look out.

 

[karrie]

I've seen a lot of people live with bi-polar disorder, and it is crushing to watch. Science hasn't really figured out a 'cause' for it, and all sorts of stuff can trigger it (stress, viruses, anti-depressants). The problem is, the beginning of it can also look like the cause. An episode of mania can drive people to take stupid risks, like street drugs, for the first time ever, and family can get a flawed perception of which came first, the episode or the risk.

 

[lone wolf]

Street drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs.... Are they because of the mania or the cause of the mania. All I know about bi-polar is as much as I loved her, I will not get back on her roller coaster. Her sister says she was a (starts with 'B' and squats to pee and rhymes quite well with itch) as a little kid - so it's been life long.

 

[karrie]

Considering that bipolar disease has been written about since the time of Hipocrates, I'm going to guess that while stuff can trigger it, it's not the sole cause. And I'd guess that were the particular trigger absent, another one would come along.

 

[JLM]

Considering that bipolar disease has been written about since the time of Hipocrates, I'm going to guess that while stuff can trigger it, it's not the sole cause. And I'd guess that were the particular trigger absent, another one would come along.

Perhaps there are some incidents of bi polar that are so mild they are undetected until aggravated by something else?????????????????

 

[karrie]

Perhaps there are some incidents of bi polar that are so mild they are undetected until aggravated by something else?????????????????

possibly. but, let's say you're that person. You pass on the pot which (phew, lucky choice for you!) would have made you bi-polar. What's to say down the road something else won't trigger it anyway, like pregnancy? Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to excuse drug use, or downplay it, BUT, what gets me is the implication that comes along with your assertion, that these people have brought their illness on themselves, when truly it might have been unavoidable. Ticking time bombs tend to get bumped.

 

[JLM]

possibly. but, let's say you're that person. You pass on the pot which (phew, lucky choice for you!) would have made you bi-polar. What's to say down the road something else won't trigger it anyway, like pregnancy? Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to excuse drug use, or downplay it, BUT, what gets me is the implication that comes along with your assertion, that these people have brought their illness on themselves, when truly it might have been unavoidable. Ticking time bombs tend to get bumped.

More of a question than an assertion, Karrie. All I know is the ones I've been connected with are nice people, very intelligent, when they are in the "normal" mode. I'm in the dark as much as anyone. :smile:

 

[karrie]

I know a question when I read it JLM, and you weren't asking a question, you were stating how you understand things to be. The only question you asked is what percentage end up bipolar due to drugs. And I'm not saying you're wrong in your statement that your wife's neice 'contracted' bipolar disorder through drug use, just discussing the issues I see surrounding that.

 

[lone wolf]

I've heard it called a chemical imbalance as much as I've heard it called a symptom of trauma. I've heard it's something she was born with - and a whole range of guesses from childhood sexual abuse, through the puberty hormone assault and post partum depression, to alcohol and drug abuse (symptoms or causes is your guess) Can anyone blame folks who would like to live free from a chemical straight jacket? Can anyone fault the folk who wished they would just stay on their meds? Roller coaster doesn't begin to describe it.

 

[JLM]

I know a question when I read it JLM, and you weren't asking a question, you were stating how you understand things to be. The only question you asked is what percentage end up bipolar due to drugs. And I'm not saying you're wrong in your statement that your wife's neice 'contracted' bipolar disorder through drug use, just discussing the issues I see surrounding that.

????????? generally mean a question, Karrie. I haven't asserted anything other than the fact this disorder reared it's ugly head after using street drugs. :smile::smile:

 

[karrie]

which is what I was talking about when I said your assertion JLM.

 

[JLM]

which is what I was talking about when I said your assertion JLM.

OK Karrie- I forgive ya.......................:iconbiggrin::iconbiggrin::iconbiggrin:

 

[VanIsle]

I worked with a young fellow who was taking street drugs. His emotional highs and lows were something else. He is such a nice kid. I believe that he turned to street drugs as a means of some way of coping with what he was already feeling deep down. He had to be put in the hospital a couple of times. I talked to him - more than a little firmly about the use of street drugs. I will never know if I had any influence on him or not. I do know that after reading him the riot act so to speak, he went to his doctor, he was diagnosed bi-polar and more than 2 years, probably closer to 3, he is doing fine. The highs and the lows stopped and he takes meds. prescribed by his doctor everyday as far as a I know. Now he's just your regular nice guy. Not over the top happy like he was and not deep down in the dumps where he could turn in moments. His flaming red face, pacing and insatiable thirst for water have disappeared.

 

[Curiosity]

JLM - I am sorry to read about your family member regarding bi-polar disorder. A few thoughts because people don't just begin bi-polar - as they mature into teen years they exhibit manic and depressive episodes - but as teens are often mood swingers families fail to notice and chalk it up to those wonder years. The best route (which your family has probably taken) is to get a complete physical - even onset diabetes can cause major upheavals in the emotional presentation of a person.Drugs contribute to the mix-up but there are so many other reasons for deep depressive or manic episodes the drug abuse may only exacerbate what is an evolving situation with bi-polar or even schizophrenia.Care of a trusted doctor and monitoring at home is the only thing which can be done at the present time - and perhaps a psychiatric evaluation which may include some safer medications to relieve either the manic or depressive periods....if one or both are exhibited. The street drugs may simply be a quick way for solution of what appears to be a frightening change in a life to a young person who isn't aware of what is happening.A family should be involved wholly because rarely can a victim go it alone. Education and diagnosis are essential of course and the right kinds of medication to smooth out the symptomology.Best wishes - bi-polar is nasty. Street drugs or even legal ones unprescribed can only do more damage. The primary thing (which your family probably has done already) is to get an accurage diagnosis made over a period of time in observation. It can becontrolled with a patient's acceptance and desire to remain well. Best wishes to her - I hope she can find relief. Curio

 

[lone wolf]

Nicely placed. Chalk one up for Curio....

 

[Curiosity]

Thanks Lone Wolf I just remembered something which VanIsle wrote in her message about the insatiable thirst as part of the presenting changes or onset of the disease.... insatiable thirst is also a clue to onset diabetes soI wonder if the two have some kind of co-relation in the system of the sufferer. So many questions and I never find time to get them asked/answered.

 

[petros]

insatiable thirst is also a clue to onset diabetes soI wonder if the two have some kind of co-relation in the system of the sufferer.

Is bi-polar even real or is it just dietary, sleep and stress gone haywire?

 

[karrie]

Is bi-polar even real or is it just dietary, sleep and stress gone haywire?

it is most certainly real. Impossible to understand if you're not living it I'm sure, but, the people I know who suffer it run such a broad spectrum I can guarantee it's 'real', not just some street drug side effect, not just stress, not bad diet, etc.

 

[petros]

I know a few myself that are close to me, and my wife works for the health disctict in the mental health dept working directly with patients. I definetly know some people can really take wild swings but the use of the term and diagnosis has been broadened so wide that anyone at some point in life could be pegged as Bi-polar.

It's been a real cash cow for pharma in the past 20 years.

Food, sleep and cognative is the bulk of bi-polar treatment. If they don't understand what is happening bio-chemically, then the drugs perscribed are just fluff.

 

[Cliffy]

People who have head injuries exhibit the same symptoms of manic ups and downs. Many a brain trauma person has been diagnosed as bi-polar. Lithium will do nothing for them. Lithium is the main treatment for bi-polar disorder but it does not work for all patients. Some people have a negative reaction and it can aggravate the symptoms more that help. I know over a dozen people who have been diagnosed and each case is different. I think that the bi-polar diagnosis is over used for a range of disorders that we just don't know about. I think we should take environmental poisoning seriously when people display manic symptoms.

I know from personal experience, that brain trauma can be very similar to bi-polar and I would have been put on lithium if I had sought "professional" help. As it turned out I was able to control my manic periods with mental exercises that I figured out myself through research. I think lithium is over prescribed because Mental Health doesn't have the time to do proper diagnosis. Street drugs may agrivate symptoms but I doubt they are a major cause.