Bipolar Support Group

i was recently diagnosed as bipolar. i guess after years of being diagnosed with things like major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, adhd and borderline personality disorder i am a bit relieved to finally receive a diagnosis that i truly feel suits my illness. i am starting to see some benefits from my meds (zyprexa and prozac), but the side effects (always hungry and developing a "beer belly" as well as memory and speech issues) are making it just as hard to be a good employee as the untreated illness was.

i don't know what to do. my vocational rehabilitation worker wants me to apply for disability, but i keep hearing horror stories about the process. i haven't held down a full-time job in two years and i've had at least seven jobs in the past five years due to my illness. i was hoping that the meds and therapy would get me back on my feet, but i'm afraid that - at this pace - they won't. how long is too long to wait for improvement? is disability even something i should consider? is it possible for me to lead a productive life with this illness?

i know that these are big questions, but i'm scared and frustrated and i have a wife that is supportive, but needs some answers concerning myour future. also, should i discuss my illness with my new in-laws?

I can't speak to disability because I've not done that. I was on Zyprexa for a year and I found it to be very effective and fast acting to control my mania. It does have the unfortunate side effect of weight gain. I switched to Abilify and have been losing weight. Abilify took longer to get things under control, but I am now at a level that keeps me from mania.

I did not experience memory or speech issues with Zyprexa. Perhaps it's the prozac. You might want to try a different antidepressant. There are many good ones out there now. Steer clear of Zoloft, though. It really induces mania. I take Wellbutrin and am doing well on it.

As far as telling your in-laws, I think that is something you need to talk over with your wife. She knows her family well enough to have an idea of how they may react. I have chosen to not tell my family or in-laws about my illness. If I should get worse, then it might be necessary, but for now, I am managing and do not feel they need to know. But, again, I think that is something you and your wife need to decide. Just my opinion.

Yes, you can survive BiPolar and be a productive contributor to your family and in society.

Give the new meds time to work. It usually take months to find the right med combo and get them to the therapeutic levels in your blood.

It took 6 months before my medication was really working well, however it did have some immediate impact in stopping most of the mania and depressive symptoms.

i really want to thank everyone for the encouraging words, personal experiences and advice. it means so much to know that i am not alone in this. i've lost so many friends and ruined so many relationships due to my manic and depressive behaviors. again, thank you all so much.

I understand completely about losing friends and relationships as a result of BiPolar and the destructive manic behavior and severe depressive episodes.

You will and can pull through this part of your life, it just takes desire to succeed in your own recovery.

I think uppify is right about the in-laws situation. She [your wife, not uppify!) knows them best and she will know if it is something to talk over with them in time, especially if they are concerned about your not working.

I sympathise about the work thing - for me, it is the scariest part of the illness is how few of us really are able to work consistently. My GP likes to tell me about Winston Churchill when I bring this up!

Post edited by: Bosch, at: 10/31/2009 12:11 AM