Bipolar Disorder - A Quick Introduction
Bipolar Disorder - A Closer Look
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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About Me
- John McManamy
- I am an award-winning author and mental health journalist. I have been writing about mood disorders since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1999, ranging from a website, an email newsletter, a book, articles for HealthCentral, and this blog. More recently, I have been producing videos. Writing about my illness has played a very strong role in my healing and recovery. Writing allows me to come to terms with my past, gives meaning to my present, and gives me the courage to face the future with hope.
I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and have suffered on and off with it for over 40 years. I have been in therapy for almost all of that time and have been hospitalized 7 times for severe depression. Last week (at age 65!!) I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder and was given Seroquel to add to the 20 mg. of Prozac I've taken for 20 years. I am very hopeful that perhaps I will finally get some REAL relief. I have learned so much in therapy that I just can't believe God would just dump me at this point in my life! Just reading that Bi-polars are perhaps "God's chosen people" gave me hope. God has brought me through so many difficult depressions that I simply MUST believe He will continue to do the GOOD work in me that He began and promised to fulfill. Thanks so much for the article.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article, for its clarity and wealth of information. But thank you especially for your last paragraph. A little hope goes a long way in healing - thank you for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insights. My brother is starting to realize that he has this disorder (and that it's okay). He sent his family this article to help him describe how he feels, telling us that you described it perfectly. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My brother is a great man and great men exist within bipolar disorder.
ReplyDeleteOK..." We don't have Bipolar...We are Bipolar" I can live with that!
ReplyDeleteI found this website at a very crucial time. I was starting to lose hope that I would find a way to cope but the information and the inspiration you have provided is a light I needed. Sometimes I feel cursed but I also know God has a plan. It can be so hard sometimes when you dont what or how to feel. I honestly wouldnt wish this disorder on my worst enemy. So many people just dont have a clue nor could we explain. We just have to except it and realize how strong we must be to carry the burden and like you said use every bit of the knowledge we gather to help guide another that may be afflicted.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! Except I do disagree.. we are not Bipolar, we HAVE Bipolar. Just like we are not paychecks, name tags, etc. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It really makes me feel less lonely knowing that I am not the only one out there... Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent breakdown of this illness. I hate facing bipolar disorder every day, but trying to explain it to friends when they start noticing that something's "not quite right" is one of the most difficult and embarrassing parts of dealing with it. The most powerful tool for my husband and I has been the gift of information regarding this disorder. The more we know and learn, the better equipped we are to see triggers as they happen and catch me before I fall so far into a depressed or manic mode that I can't seem to swim back out into the sunlight. Your article has given such a real-life touch to explaining the illness from an insider's perspective. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteReally well written article and so interesting to read. I myself suffer from depression, knowing too well the cycling mood pattern you describe and the constant feeling as if I am always losing ground and never quite able to get a handle on my life.
ReplyDeleteMy depression has disrupted my life in such a crucial way, affecting my every choice and where I have ended up in my life.
I have a website dedicated to educating the general public on bipolar disorder, my personal experience with depression has developed an interest with all mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder and depression.
Please visit my site at www.onlinebipolartest.com
Thank you. I also had a similar experience, whereby I was diagnosed with depression by several different doctors and only eventually got the right diagnosis. What's been tough is getting my family members to really accept it, even though I have. I really hate the mixed symptoms aspect that I tend to have now, which I have not yet found the right medication for, but it's great to know there are people out there who understand. We can all be very highly functional but can easily crash if we are not knowledgeable and aware.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience. After reading your article and comments of other readers, I now have a flicker of hope that with education on the disease and close coordination between myself, my psychiatrist, and primary care provider this chronic condition can be realistically managed. I realize that having hypothyroidism and hormonal (estrogen) imbalance it will require patience. As well, I realize that I have to steer the issue of coordination and effective management of my health. I can no longer sit back passively and accept minimal health care services whether mental or physical.
ReplyDeleteA couple of experiences with bipolar episodes will reframe the prayer for having a "sound mind".
Thank you
God Bless