Big Geordie Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Just wondered if anyone on here has experiences of it? My father in law is bi-polar and is going through a bit of a rough time over the last few days, as he's on a 'high'. Have sat in with him a couple of times (to give my mother-in-law some respite) and I can understand as to why some would be unsettled by witnessing someone who is suffering. He is having real difficulty in functioning, which isn't helped with a lack of sleep. A GP and the local CAT (Crisis Assistance) team have visited him today, which is good and he's also going to see his psychiatrist tomorrow. A change in his meds is probably going to be needed - I just hope once he comes down that it's not followed by a massive low. Worrying times. We are doing our best to offer support - the family are rallying around him and my mother-in-law. It's still not easy for either of them though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Mental illness in the family is never nice. Good luck and all the best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Aye one of my relatives has it too, horrible illness. The thing is the poor bugger has had it for years so the family have learned to cope with it, well some have anyway. Wish you and your family the best mate. Hopefully his condition improves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearer9 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 How does the high manifest itself? I know very little about bi-polar disorder, so I just sort of assumed that people acted normally during high periods. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatwax Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 There's a bi-polar child at the school I work at. It's difficult to deal with, good luck with it to you and your family. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 The 'high' is kind of hard to describe. Father-in-law told me (During one of his more lucid 2/3mins) is that it's like the feeling you get after Newcastle have just scored. Whilst for most of us, the feeling passes in seconds, for someone on a high with bi-polar - it lasts all of the time. He says that he feels great, but he can laugh un-controlably(sp?) at the most obscure things. He also can't do any of his day-to-day stuff, and his appetite and sleep are suffering too. Not good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Sorry to hear about this BG, good luck to you and your family. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieMandias Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I've got two friends who are prone to this. Nightmare dealing with them when they're in the manic phase. I wish you all the best in coping with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 The father-in-law has been admitted to hospital, today. The meeting with the psychiatrist was enough to convince her that he needs specialized treatment. It's been a hard day, as I've spent the large part of it supporting him and my mother-in-law. At least he is somewhere where he will be safe and is now hopefully on the road to recovery. Suspect that he may be in for some time, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 all the best with it mate, doesn't sound nice at all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Sad thing is that there's been a real deterioration in him today and that's been difficult to witness. Have felt genuinely unsettled tonight. It does really take it out of you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 what's more difficult to deal with, the high or the low of the disorder? If you dont mind my asking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I've never seen him when he's had a real low. The high is difficult because it's so intense and when it becomes coupled with challenging behaviour, it really does sap the carer of energy. Here's the wiki link - can explain it far better than I can; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder#Manic_episode Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Father in law is looks like he's going on a big high again. It's been happening for a couple of weeks, but there's been a marked deterioration in the last two days. His nurse/psychologist tried to fob off my mother-in-law who tried to tell them when she first noticed a difference, but it was only on Thurs when some action was taken and they've taken him off his anti-d's and put him on elanzopean(sp?) He's been around tonight to watch the England game and he's not been good. Not sure my mother-in-law will be able to cope this time around, so I hope (and if it doesn't happen, I will demand it) that the authorities step in. I and my wife aren't available to help as we were earlier in the year - she's gone back to work after maternity, and I'm looking after our little girl. Not good. Forgot to add that he was sectioned for about 8 weeks earlier in the year, but after a bit of time he was back to his old self. Hasn't lasted for too long though. Just wish that his bloody nurse and therapist would have listened to my mother-in-law instead of fobbing her off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I wish him all the best BG. Also, I remember reading some of your posts on OTF about your wishes to be a dad, so I'm very pleased for you in that respect. Congrats. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Cheers Pilko. My little girl is 10months old now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Thinking of you mate x Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crumpy Gunt Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Father in law is looks like he's going on a big high again. It's been happening for a couple of weeks, but there's been a marked deterioration in the last two days. His nurse/psychologist tried to fob off my mother-in-law who tried to tell them when she first noticed a difference, but it was only on Thurs when some action was taken and they've taken him off his anti-d's and put him on elanzopean(sp?) He's been around tonight to watch the England game and he's not been good. Not sure my mother-in-law will be able to cope this time around, so I hope (and if it doesn't happen, I will demand it) that the authorities step in. I and my wife aren't available to help as we were earlier in the year - she's gone back to work after maternity, and I'm looking after our little girl. Not good. Forgot to add that he was sectioned for about 8 weeks earlier in the year, but after a bit of time he was back to his old self. Hasn't lasted for too long though. Just wish that his bloody nurse and therapist would have listened to my mother-in-law instead of fobbing her off. Is he maintaining his meds when he gets 'released'? Sounds like he might not. I know its a nightmare scenario dealing with this kind of stuff as we had it with a relative who relapsed badly when he thought after 4 or 5 years of being 'normal' that he'd unilaterally decide he didn't need his meds any more and ended up back at square one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Yeah, he is - he's always been very good with that. Problem seems to be that once a winning combination of meds is found, it doesn't seem to last. And also bi-polar disorder is supposed to get worse as yet get older. My father-in-law is 72. I've been wondering as to what could have triggered this and I reckon it's when he was due to get signed off by his CPN the other week. Perhaps the worry about that has been the cause. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Sounds like tough time BG. Thoughts are with you and the family Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Bi Polar does get worse as you get older. Medication is difficult because the plan is to keep you in a stable mood but in practice this means keeping you 'low'. This is because you are more likely to self harm or worse during the 'buzz' times. So he will be observed closely during this period. Strangely, the lows are statistically less dangerous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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