Bipolar PJ fans???

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  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    This is true...although, while I was dating before I met my husband I had a lot of guy totally freak on me when I would tell them I was bipolar, I had only one guy that I dated before my hubs not care about it...and I could have fallen hard for him but he ended up getting back with his baby's mother...which is good for the baby if they could work it out, he was a great guy though, but then I was destined to meet my husband who is so understanding and patient with me.
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    E
    PJSiren said:

    This is true...although, while I was dating before I met my husband I had a lot of guy totally freak on me when I would tell them I was bipolar, I had only one guy that I dated before my hubs not care about it...and I could have fallen hard for him but he ended up getting back with his baby's mother...which is good for the baby if they could work it out, he was a great guy though, but then I was destined to meet my husband who is so understanding and patient with me.

    EVERYTHING happens for a reason. :-)
  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    whispering hands said:

    E

    PJSiren said:

    This is true...although, while I was dating before I met my husband I had a lot of guy totally freak on me when I would tell them I was bipolar, I had only one guy that I dated before my hubs not care about it...and I could have fallen hard for him but he ended up getting back with his baby's mother...which is good for the baby if they could work it out, he was a great guy though, but then I was destined to meet my husband who is so understanding and patient with me.

    EVERYTHING happens for a reason. :-)
    I do agree with this!
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jillian-mccabe-accused-throwing-autistic-son-oregon-bridge-n240606

    This woman had a mental breakdown caring for her extremely autistic child, having a husband fighting for his life and losing her father, and did something horrible and unspeakable, and the loss of London is tragic, and makes me so sad! But I do have to say that my heart also goes out to this woman, because I live in this state and I know that the mental health department/help in Oregon is a joke...I'm lucky I have great insurance and found a great doctor, but when I didn't have this insurance I couldn't get helped, I was waitlisted with Kaiser for 2 years to see a mental health professional...and this woman probably doesn't have access to a doctor like mine, and this state severely let her down, and I'm appauled...had she received the help she truly needed, London might still be alive. Oregon's mental health system is insufficient.
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    This is sooooo sad! Colorado is horrible with dealing with mental issues as well. And I just feel soo bad when I see this stuff.
  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    The situation all around for this woman is so sad....and I feel horrible for the father if he survives and wakes up to learn what happened to his son...and if he doesn't and he loses his battle then she loses him too and she's going to go even further off the deep end...

    Her great aunt speaks in that article and talks about how they tried to get her help but it just wasn't sufficient...and that's the problem here, it's not, and how could they know unless they live with her and see her every day...her family just had no way of knowing that something this awful would happen...
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    I know.. That's the worst part!! It sometimes feels like no one cares.. But, it's just that their hands are tied by bureaucracy.
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    Yes, she needed mental health care, but even more than that (and much pre-dating that), she needed proper practical supports to prevent it from getting to this point. She needed the help of additional care-givers, perhaps respite care for her son so she could get a break and some rest, a health care system that was not for-profit. Lots of important supports were missing.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    oftenreading said:

    Yes, she needed mental health care, but even more than that (and much pre-dating that), she needed proper practical supports to prevent it from getting to this point. She needed the help of additional care-givers, perhaps respite care for her son so she could get a break and some rest, a health care system that was not for-profit. Lots of important supports were missing.

    I totally agree with you. There were many aspects of help that we're neglected.
  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    I agree with this as well.
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • evsgjamm
    evsgjamm Posts: 2,108
    I've got a question for the bi-polar, ADHD, mental illness community; specifically about relationships and how they shape your lives.

    What is it like being in a relationship with someone whom suffers from these illnesses? For those that are willing to share their stories, what is it like living with your partner who doesn't have a mental illness?

    PJSiren I am very happy you have a husband that is patient with you. I can only presume that patience will be a very common answer to my question, but I ask out of kindness and seriousness. I'm genuinely concerned on the issue as it's clearly stated by many of you here, that you weren't diagnosed until much later in life. I can only therefore think that many people, myself included, could be in a relationship either now or in the future when either ourselves or our partner eventually get diagnosed. My apologies for the long-winded question. I'm just looking to broaden the discussion as it's a very important conversation.

    My friend whom is bi-polar: I am very patient with him. It comes naturally to me. I enjoy his company and we have a tonne of fun together. I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are on how a mental illness can affect a relationship and what lessons can be taken away.
    Thanks all.
    Vancouver '03, Paramount Theatre '05, Saskatoon '05, Calgary '05, Edmonton '05, Saskatoon '11, Calgary '11, Calgary '13

    2010 WATCH IT GO TO FIRE!!
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    The hardest thing to deal with us the Stigma that goes with it. You stated you have a friend that has it, so you kind if understand a tiny but how it works. The biggest difference between B-Polar people and the common population is that we have a chemical imbalance that causes us to react way off course to things that the common man or woman takes in stride.. I.E. My blow up at work yesterday.. We are either super depressed, or super hyper.. There is no I between. Honestly I think the scariest part is this: because each and every person's triggers are different as is their imbalance, some can flip like light switches, and it is literally a moment to moment thing! Then there are those like myself that are on the opposite extreme, and we cycle for weeks and even months!! ( I've had both manic and depressive cycles last two years apiece!!) that's scary in it's own right because a person invests that time getting to know only one half of a Bi-Polar individual's personality! That's really scary to some people. The most important thing to realize is this: whether BP or not ( or any other mental issue existent) is that each person is different. Like you said patience is a HUGE key.. But more so than that, is true understanding. Know that when someone with these disorders starts taking things out on you, or pushing you away ( in an intimate setting like a relationship), that you've most likely not done anything truly wrong, we just get frustrated really easily, and things get blown out if proportion. A lot of times we act out, because that frustration simply has nowhere else to go, and suddenly we go from level headed adult, to tantrum throwing two year old! Again yesterday was a perfect example! So try not to take everything personally. Also research the illness you are dealing with. Half the battle is knowing what you're up against. I have had biyfriends tell me they just couldn't handle me on a manic.. And it took me a long time to get over that hurt, because I couldn't see where they were coming from. But now I know that it's going to take one hell of a special man to be in my life, because I have such a screwed up, toxic combo of disorders. But I do believe there someone out there. And thanks for keeping this conversation going. It IS a very important subject, that out if fear, gets swept under the rug. The more we can bring the truth of it to light, the more can be det with properly.
  • ledvedderman
    ledvedderman Posts: 7,762
    Bipolar II here. The first indication of it goes back to being in my teen years. My therapist said to go to a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis and I didn't. After my marriage ended because of reckless and behavior unbecoming of me, I went back and decided to get a diagnosis. I wanted to find answers and not an excuse for what happened.
    So I got my diagnosis and then the loooooong road of getting the right mixture of meds started. I had a terrible doctor. Terrible. Eventually he put me on klonopin and it caused me to lose my mind. I was admitted to the hospital for a week. I developed a drinking/prescription drug problem. I nearly died a couple of times from overdosing. It put me out of it and I didn't know what the hell to do. On December 23rd of last year my parents found me out cold in my house from an overdose. They thought I was dead. At that point, I agreed to get treatment.
    So I went up to the Mayo Clinic in early February of this year and tried to enter into a program. I was all checked in and then the nurse came to my room and said insurance wasn't sure if they were going to cover it or not. So, I couldn't risk spending $4,000 with insurance or $40,000 if they decided not to. So, I packed my shit and I was on my way home.
    My general physician slowly got me off of the klonopin which was hell on earth. Some say it's more difficult to come off of than drugs like heroin. It sure as hell was difficult. So through that process, a new psychiatrist and new meds...I'm good and clean. I still have the mania and depression, but they are nowhere near what the past had in store.
    E8toX.gif

    http://www.reverbnation.com/brianzilm
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    ledvedderman said:

    Bipolar II here. The first indication of it goes back to being in my teen years. My therapist said to go to a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis and I didn't. After my marriage ended because of reckless and behavior unbecoming of me, I went back and decided to get a diagnosis. I wanted to find answers and not an excuse for what happened.
    So I got my diagnosis and then the loooooong road of getting the right mixture of meds started. I had a terrible doctor. Terrible. Eventually he put me on klonopin and it caused me to lose my mind. I was admitted to the hospital for a week. I developed a drinking/prescription drug problem. I nearly died a couple of times from overdosing. It put me out of it and I didn't know what the hell to do. On December 23rd of last year my parents found me out cold in my house from an overdose. They thought I was dead. At that point, I agreed to get treatment.
    So I went up to the Mayo Clinic in early February of this year and tried to enter into a program. I was all checked in and then the nurse came to my room and said insurance wasn't sure if they were going to cover it or not. So, I couldn't risk spending $4,000 with insurance or $40,000 if they decided not to. So, I packed my shit and I was on my way home.
    My general physician slowly got me off of the klonopin which was hell on earth. Some say it's more difficult to come off of than drugs like heroin. It sure as hell was difficult. So through that process, a new psychiatrist and new meds...I'm good and clean. I still have the mania and depression, but they are nowhere near what the past had in store.

    Awesome that you are working towards getting yourself straightened out! It is a difficult journey at times. But once you find out what works, stick with it! It is very common for us to think that we're ok, and quit taking our meds! DON'T do that! Then you have to find a whole new combination! That's no fun, as you have partially experienced. Kalsomine, don't get discouraged, this is still a relatively new thing, that doctors are just beginning to understand.
  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    ledvedderman said:

    Bipolar II here. The first indication of it goes back to being in my teen years. My therapist said to go to a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis and I didn't. After my marriage ended because of reckless and behavior unbecoming of me, I went back and decided to get a diagnosis. I wanted to find answers and not an excuse for what happened.
    So I got my diagnosis and then the loooooong road of getting the right mixture of meds started. I had a terrible doctor. Terrible. Eventually he put me on klonopin and it caused me to lose my mind. I was admitted to the hospital for a week. I developed a drinking/prescription drug problem. I nearly died a couple of times from overdosing. It put me out of it and I didn't know what the hell to do. On December 23rd of last year my parents found me out cold in my house from an overdose. They thought I was dead. At that point, I agreed to get treatment.
    So I went up to the Mayo Clinic in early February of this year and tried to enter into a program. I was all checked in and then the nurse came to my room and said insurance wasn't sure if they were going to cover it or not. So, I couldn't risk spending $4,000 with insurance or $40,000 if they decided not to. So, I packed my shit and I was on my way home.
    My general physician slowly got me off of the klonopin which was hell on earth. Some say it's more difficult to come off of than drugs like heroin. It sure as hell was difficult. So through that process, a new psychiatrist and new meds...I'm good and clean. I still have the mania and depression, but they are nowhere near what the past had in store.

    I've heard bad things about klonopin, I'm glad my dr's never put me on it. I'm glad you've gotten off of it and are on new meds now too...that's great....and have found a new psych...they're very instrumental to our health....I love mine. I still have some cycles also, but nothing like what they used to be...and as Whispering hands said, definitely don't take yourself off the meds, I've done that, before I was actually diagnosed, and was only being treated for depression...and it only made things worse....I wish you luck in your journey, and keep posting here for support, we're here for each other!!!
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • PJSiren
    PJSiren Salem, OR Posts: 5,863
    evsgjamm said:

    I've got a question for the bi-polar, ADHD, mental illness community; specifically about relationships and how they shape your lives.

    What is it like being in a relationship with someone whom suffers from these illnesses? For those that are willing to share their stories, what is it like living with your partner who doesn't have a mental illness?

    PJSiren I am very happy you have a husband that is patient with you. I can only presume that patience will be a very common answer to my question, but I ask out of kindness and seriousness. I'm genuinely concerned on the issue as it's clearly stated by many of you here, that you weren't diagnosed until much later in life. I can only therefore think that many people, myself included, could be in a relationship either now or in the future when either ourselves or our partner eventually get diagnosed. My apologies for the long-winded question. I'm just looking to broaden the discussion as it's a very important conversation.

    My friend whom is bi-polar: I am very patient with him. It comes naturally to me. I enjoy his company and we have a tonne of fun together. I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are on how a mental illness can affect a relationship and what lessons can be taken away.
    Thanks all.

    Patience is definitely key, and understanding of what they're dealing with...like Whispering hands said do research and know what you're up against. Living with my husband who doesn't have a mental illness can sometimes be frustrating for me, because though he is patient and understanding with me I am not a patient person and I get frustrated easily especially when I'm not leveled out and I'm having either an up or down swing....

    We also have a 13 year old daughter who I try to explain my illness to, but she still doesn't understand it....and that can get frustrating because she doesn't know why mom sometimes is the way she is and I don't know how to help her understand.
    Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior!
    Tattooed Dissident!
  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    edited November 2014
    i don't suffer at all with my adhd/add. if others without adhd/add could wear my shoes awhile, those are the folks who would suffer. im just a guy living in my own world & that world is creativity & not giving a damn about much of anything unless it is worth my caring about. i find that most people care about things i wold never give two shits about & this may be important documents, business paperwork, legal papers & things. i lose everything in the paper shuffling heaps. i am the scratch paper king as i write notes & important info like dr. appointments down on scrap pieces of paper that camouflages itself into disappearance status. who gives a fat rat's ass? "not me," said the chadwick. rotate your tires after so many miles? are you fucking kidding me? yeah that's gonna happen. can ya be a little gentler on things? it's not like i destroy things on purpose, things just are not built to last in this day & age. can you just tell us the fucking story? god damn dude, you're wearing me the fuck out! because i may need 2-14 day notice with a lot of things/situations sometimes when the letter from whomever says, "please fill out & return to us within two weeks of receiving." damn! what the frig?! who the hell do they think i am!? hell i may not even open that envelope for two months. 90% of my mail never is opened & is tossed in the shit can & recycled. i am not depressed, never have been & never will be. sure i get sad like everyone else does but im not a depressive. i have insane determination & high levels of self-esteem. my worst days were just horrible every way around & i probably wore a grin with the exceptions of close family members dying, dad & one brother. i've never had a g/f live with me or i live with her for any real length of time. nine months was the time spent. but soon it is on as wedding bells call out to us. we'll have to see how well we pull this off. it will be wonderful for us. we're both a couple of real dicks, that's for sure! you wanna talk about disastrous proportions? she's a genius, beautiful & one or seventeen barrels of monkeys. she's a frickin professional/business woman built like a brick shit house, carries herself a leather brief case thing, wears the librarian glasses that have a high iq themselves & she has no idea what time it ever is nor gives a damn. so we'll help each other out with giving support where one may have weakness, the other may not. like i'm a fuckin disaster, she is a disaster herself but not in the fields of expertise i may be in & vice versa. we're the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder kids or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder couple or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder dicks or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder penises or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder confusioned or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder it's hot it's cold it's hot it's cold or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder wow what the frig dude or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that's fuckin fucked the fuck up dude or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder poetry committee den leaders or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder my memory blows but that's ok because my memory rules the world or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder teamwork fired up & rolled out...... team fucking work! teamwork fired up like wounded soldiers carrying one another out of the bad shit. we will. we are a force to be reckoned with. men & women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are different in the fact that males & females are effected differently. if she can appreaciate my need for knives, axes & sledge hammers under the bed then i think we'll be ok.
    Post edited by chadwick on
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • rollings
    rollings unknown Posts: 7,127
    chadwick said:

    i don't suffer at all with my adhd/add. if others without adhd/add could wear my shoes awhile, those are the folks who would suffer. im just a guy living in my own world & that world is creativity & not giving a damn about much of anything unless it is worth my caring about. i find that most people care about things i wold never give two shits about & this may be important documents, business paperwork, legal papers & things. i lose everything in the paper shuffling heaps. i am the scratch paper king as i write notes & important info like dr. appointments down on scrap pieces of paper that camouflages itself into disappearance status. who gives a fat rat's ass? "not me," said the chadwick. rotate your tires after so many miles? are you fucking kidding me? yeah that's gonna happen. can ya be a little gentler on things? it's not like i destroy things on purpose, things just are not built to last in this day & age. can you just tell us the fucking story? god damn dude, you're wearing me the fuck out! because i may need 2-14 day notice with a lot of things/situations sometimes when the letter from whomever says, "please fill out & return to us within two weeks of receiving." damn! what the frig?! who the hell do they think i am!? hell i may not even open that envelope for two months. 90% of my mail never is opened & is tossed in the shit can & recycled. i am not depressed, never have been & never will be. sure i get sad like everyone else does but im not a depressive. i have insane determination & high levels of self-esteem. my worst days were just horrible every way around & i probably wore a grin with the exceptions of close family members dying, dad & one brother. i've never had a g/f live with me or i live with her for any real length of time. nine months was the time spent. but soon it is on as wedding bells call out to us. we'll have to see how well we pull this off. it will be wonderful for us. we're both a couple of real dicks, that's for sure! you wanna talk about disastrous proportions? she's a genius, beautiful & one or seventeen barrels of monkeys. she's a frickin professional/business woman built like a brick shit house, carries herself a leather brief case thing, wears the librarian glasses that have a high iq themselves & she has no idea what time it ever is nor gives a damn. so we'll help each other out with giving support where one may have weakness, the other may not. like i'm a fuckin disaster, she is a disaster herself but not in the fields of expertise i may be in & vice versa. we're the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder kids or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder couple or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder dicks or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder penises or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder confusioned or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder it's hot it's cold it's hot it's cold or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder wow what the frig dude or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that's fuckin fucked the fuck up dude or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder poetry committee den leaders or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder my memory blows but that's ok because my memory rules the world or the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder teamwork fired up & rolled out...... team fucking work! teamwork fired up like wounded soldiers carrying one another out of the bad shit. we will. we are a force to be reckoned with. men & women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are different in the fact that males & females are effected differently. if she can appreaciate my need for knives, axes & sledge hammers under the bed then i think we'll be ok.

    I love 'dis guy :)

    add rules . there are none!



  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    Love ya Chad! You always make me laugh! You and your girl are lucky to have one another! Very very happy for you! Kitty!
  • evsgjamm
    evsgjamm Posts: 2,108
    Thank you for going all the way up my ass. That was comforting to twist my eyes on.

    Does anyone here live with someone who has ADHD, ADD, Bi-polar disorder or is depressive? I think it's key to hear that side of the discussion, to keep this a healthy & balanced topic. It is very interesting and is critical to get the stories all out there. If anything, the stigmas will deplete the more we talk about it.
    I lived with a girl that was on antidepressants (we lived together from the age of 20-23) and it was fine. I'm now 31 and haven't seen her since them days and she's now married with two kids. I don't know how her depression is anymore, but when we lived together, it was OK to live with. Sex was good, laughing and joking was good, hanging with friends was good. She worked as a florist and studied interior design on campus. I actually didn't know she was on anti-depressants until quite a while after we moved in together. It could have been months, or it could have been over a year. I'm not sure, but I do recall it never really affecting our relationship in a negative way. Perhaps she suffered from a very light chemical imbalance, whereas others suffer from more severe imbalances.
    Keep the discussion going folks. If you have something to say, now is the time to start saying it.
    Cheers
    Vancouver '03, Paramount Theatre '05, Saskatoon '05, Calgary '05, Edmonton '05, Saskatoon '11, Calgary '11, Calgary '13

    2010 WATCH IT GO TO FIRE!!

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