Need Advice Badly (BiPolar Question)- Mods Please Move If Need Be

[Tomer]

Hey Everyone,

Here is the situation: I met this girl last week through a class. She is a very open book, and tonight revealed to me that she thinks she's "bipolar" and has been for a very long time. I asked her to elaborate, as people can simply exaggerate such labels.

She has classic symptoms. Very elevated mood for a few hours followed by immense depression. I believe this is called "rapid cycling" in regards to Bipolar disorder. Whereas, typically, I use to think the manic state lasted a few weeks, followed by the depressed state going on for a few weeks. In her case, it's simply a rapid cycle, and she says it goes on every day.

Here's the issue: She is an actor and she says it helps her at her craft as it allows her to delve further into her emotions. I told her this isn't something to be playing around with and can be very serious if it goes untreated. She refuses to resort to medication, though.

Is she headed toward a complete breakdown later down the road or is possible for someone with this disorder to simply "deal" with it and live a semi-normal life? She is in her early 20's. Very curious to hear feedback on this.

Cheers

 

[abore]

It's definitely possible to live with bipolar and not use medications. The fact that she's using it to benefit her (rather than hating herself for suffering from it) says to me that she's adapted quite well. I wouldn't press medication or a doctor on her unless she is suicidal, which it doesn't sound at all like she is.

 

[cherberbear]

It's definitely possible to live with bipolar and not use medications. The fact that she's using it to benefit her (rather than hating herself for suffering from it) says to me that she's adapted quite well. I wouldn't press medication or a doctor on her unless she is suicidal, which it doesn't sound at all like she is.

I agree my ex of about 5 years suffered with BiPolar, he refused to take his eds as he said he was sick of the feeling and the stigma......he then choose to just forget he had it, wouldnt declare it when he applied for jobs or driving ect.....

I dont think this did him any good and in the end we split (wouldnt say it was all due to the bipolar, he was just a violent man and in the end I saw the light).

I think she really needs a proper diagnosis, just for her own piece of mind. I know a hand full of people who had had breakdowns who dont have bipolar, she sounds as normal as any of us, and lucky to have somebody who wants to understand there for her.

 

[Lady Codone]

From what I've gathered, rapid cycling is more likely to lead to a "mixed state" and therefore more likely to result in suicide. It's common for bipolar people to refuse medication because they actually enjoy the manic phase, which is chemically similar to a stimulant high (forgot the source).

That's assuming she is actually bipolar, which may not be the case. People with blood sugar issues, thyroid conditions and other physiological problems can have mood swings that resemble bipolar disorder. As long as she's not suffering and is able to function, there is no need for treatment...yet. If something stressful happens down the road, she could go completely off the rails and require hospitalization. Either way, it would be good to have an official diagnosis so she knows her treatment options.

 

[Tomer]

Thanks guys for the responses.

Lady Codone: I should also mention that she doesn't take any medication at all (not even Tynenol), as she believes in being organic. So, while I would typically agree with your assessment that people refuse medication due to the manic state, this should be taken into consideration, as well. It might be a combination of her not taking medication in general, as well as, the enjoyment of the manic state. I can't truly say, though.

She is a very emotional person, though. This is only from speaking with her TWICE....one time for many hours on end and the other time (last night) where she admitted to me that she thinks she's bipolar but believes she was born this way, and shouldn't have to resort to medication. I think she is headed down a terrible path but I don't have any experience with the condition. It just seems like something that shouldn't go untreated.