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Bipolar Community Bipolar Support Forums Medicine & Treatments Depression: Contagious to Family of Bipolar People
 

Depression: Contagious to Family of Bipolar People


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01/27/2008 17:15
NorthPolar
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 I submit the question:

To the average family member of a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder, is depression a possible diagnosis for the extra load put on those who care most about the bipolar spouse, child, or friend?

In other words, is it common for a non-diagnosed loved one to become depressed or even bipolar from the daily involvement with the diagnosed bipolar person?

I say yes. Loved ones may always need anti-depressants for the time to help close bipolar family and friends.

Thoughts?
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01/27/2008 20:15
NorthPolar
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 Well the loved ones can't exactly become bipolar but I do know that the lives of close family members will not be living a normal life style even though they are normal people. Sometimes the effects of the disorder can stress or depress anyone.
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01/27/2008 20:25
suzeP
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 Even a "normal" will wear down, when constantly subjected to the

stress. Everytime they rage and say ugly things, lie and manipulate,

I think it is human nature that it makes you feel a little lower,

even if you understand the dynamics behind their actions. I think

it takes someone really special not to be affected by it at all, as

this is your life!!
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01/27/2008 20:37
maddiemiami
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 Well I think my husband's family has traits - father was alkoholic but I think undiagnosed bi-polar, my husband is and his brother has depression and ADD. I think my step daughter may have tendencies towards depression. I need to find out more about depression and teenagers
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01/27/2008 20:37
cappymuir
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 My family shows signs of depression, but I don't think it is because of my disorder. My husband creates his own probelms and eats at night only , causing him to gain weight. My mother-in-law caused her depression by not acepting that she is not capable of doing what she used to. Both these people present problems in my relationship with them. I can hardly stand going over my in-laws, because I know that there is going to be raised voices and hurtful things said. My husband then takes out his frustration on me. He is into the anger that lays out threats all the time about legalities and getting people fired and such. What i hate the most is when he takes it out on my dog. It scares me.

My real dad and three brothers all have bipolar and when we are together it is a real eye opener. I feel more comfortable there because i know that I am accepted and that I can recognize the signs that my dad shows and I do the same thing. It makes me laugh, and be more understanding.

Cappy
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01/27/2008 20:41
maddiemiami
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 I defintely got depressed and needed help dealing with it
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01/27/2008 22:59
NorthPolar
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 I am currently taking an anti-depressant and my wife says that it made just the right amount of small changes in my life that it helps her manage being bipolar better. In her opinion, I now don't do some of the previous triggers that sent her into depression times before. I don't see much of a change in myself but if it makes her feel better to see me physically take something that can't hurt me then hey, one battle is gone and we are closer because each time she witnesses me change a small part of my life, it somehow resets the "bipolar clock," so to speak, in her mind on that/those issue(s).

I am currently learning all that I can on the subject of bipolar disorder both to understand her better and to show her I am in the act of continuously trying to help her. I may not physically be able to help in many ways but I am able to find the needed information to understand her in ways she can not communicate to me with verbal explanation.

I wish to be the initiator of interaction with her so that I am not merely the recipient of reactions from her disorder. Take action instead of taking reactions. I can say that at times it is very exhausting to figure things out by experience, but through trial and error mixed with a steady flow of learning, I believe I can overcome depression or any type of mental stress by making this situation a challenge to act on and not a dwelling place for problem-solving.
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01/27/2008 23:23
cappymuir
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 Norhtpole- it would be great if my other half was more like you. My counselor gave him a book about how to deal with living with a bipolar family member. He read a couple pagers and never opened it again. I even offered to read it to him. No. The one thing I have noticed that he is giving me a positive compliment "that he is proud of me and all that I have accomplished" Then I ask what specifically is he talking about and he can not give me an answer. This usually comes out of the blue this statement. I end up thinking what did I do today that was different from yesterday? Cappy
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01/28/2008 00:16
NorthPolar
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 Well done, Cappy. That is exactly the perfect recipe for clear thinking and overcoming habitually triggered memories toward bipolar episodes. New days can be new experiences if we fashion our brains into healthy thinking and positive actions. Tell everyone that you feel great and that this day and every day is positive and eventually THAT will be your new memory to come to the forefront of your brain's thought patterns any time you begin to have another episode. I believe that we can knock bipolar out of the troubled part of the brain on to the back-burner of a healthy part of our brain by overdosing on healthy experiences. It's an active preventative rather than a reactive recovery to the illness. The word for that is neuroplasticity.

Another way out of depression might be to eat right and feed the brain. There's nothing like depriving the brain of it's full capacity by not supplying it with correct nutrition for proper functionality. The brain will fight back if it doesn't have enough food by means of seizures, depression, bad judgment, blindness, etc. I would like to know if I am accurate while I am thinking this. What do you think?
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01/28/2008 13:59
cappymuir
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 Northpole- it does help to eat right and get enough rest is the main key. When we are rested , we are better equipe to cope with the stress and our mood swings. The other thing for women during their monthly,it might be advisible to take Midol to help with the natural mood swings so that are bipolar does not go into overdrive. Cappy
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