Is Bipolar permanent?

[Manicrunner]

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a severe breakdown (when I was in a supercharged manic state).  I take Lithium and Prozac for this condition, and am glad to do so.  The drugs have vastly improved my life.  However, my Psychiatrist says I will need to stay on medication for the rest of my life.  Is there no hope that the bipolar condition will subside of itself?  How would I know whether it had done so?  

[Manicrunner]

Thanks lindahand.  'Kindling' sounds interesting and I understand what you say about the drugs stopping the acceleration of bipolar.  I now realise that my mania was  becoming more severe over time with each episode, though I did not realise this at the time--thinking I was just an 'intense' person. On the last occasion I ran several miles through the woods, stopping to talk with people on the way, who seemed puzzled or perplexed by my words.  It was followed by speechless depression anbd anxiety.  Presumably the next occasion would have been more intense, and so on. But looking back I wish I had picked up the problem years ago.  Having a moderately successful career sometimes makes people assume that one's talent and eccentricity go together.  And this masks the condition.   Thanks for the book recommendation.  I am away to look that up.  Am most grateful to you.  

[Manicrunner]

Thanks babybonita.  It seems you have developed a set of excellent skills for dealing with bipolar, and have learned how to apply them.  I am going to see a psychologist on Friday for some advice on this kind of thing.  All the best for your continued well being, and the encouragement you give by your accumulated wisdom.  

[Manicrunner]

Thanks Helplogan,  Sorry, I've been away and so this message is later than I would have wished. Yes, it is a stark pair of alternatives.  I completely relate to what you say in that medication is the only answer.  I am sure that if I came off the medicine I would very soon either be in full manic or in a paralysingly anxious and depressed state.  Presumably, people for thousands of years have nedured this condition but not known what it was or how to treat the symptoms.  In that sense we are fortunate to have these medicines which when rightly applied can so effectively target the condition.  Your message is a great encouragement--particularly because you are dealing with a strong form of this condition.  It gives me hope.

[lindahand]

The current understanding is bipolar disorder is permanent. People have periods of normal without meds, but have more frequent episodes overall. Each episode you have strengthens the connections in the brain making subsequent episodes closer together. The theory is that by taking meds you prevent this from happening or make it happen less. The theory is called kindling if you want to look it up.

If you want a really good book The Bipolar Survival Guide 2nd Edition has the latest research and meds. It really is Bipolar 101. It is a 2011 book so it is really recent. You can get it on Amazon or Indigo would probably have it too.

[babybonita]

I've had BP for 10 years & it doesn't seem to be going away. I have my moments & have struggled w/ manic outbreaks. My solution has been Med management & behavior therapy. Its a constant battle & I try to avoid triggers. Hoping you continued stability!

[helplogan]

When I was diagnosed with rapid cycling bi-polar disorder and informed I would have to take a combination of medications for the rest of my life accepting that it was not going to go away wasn't too much of an issue at the time. As I have lived with bi-polar since I was around 13 yrs old I can't remember life before the swings and roundabouts it brings.
With that being said accepting that I will always have to deal with the rapid cycling and how emotionally exhausting that can be for me , hasn't been as easy to live with.
Please don't misunderstand me, I have never thought ' why me ' I know that it was just something that happened to me and I make the best of what I have.
There are a lucky few that only have a handful of severe episodes in there life and medication can hold off future episodes or make them more manageable.
I know of a man with a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder that only has a severe episode every ten yrs, I on the other hand have at least 10 severe mood changes in a year and I don't have what they call a stable period as I always cycle above or below the normal line.
It affects us all individualy and hopefully with the right help and medication you will stay quite stable and future episodes will be kept to a minimum as a result.
Take care of yourself and I'm glad to hear your medication combination is working for you.

[Manicrunner]

Thanks, Lilymoon.   It is difficult to accept.   But life with treatment is so much better, and my loved ones agree with this.  Thanks for your kind and realistic observations.

[Manicrunner]

Many thanks, Cashew 59.  Your insight is much appreciated.  Yes, then, it does look as though I'll have to live with managing this condition.  But, despite the side effects of Lithium (e.g., rash, sleepiness, etc) I find it and Prozac have made such a difference to my life that I wonder how I managed to cope with the misery and mania of before.   All the best for your pregnancy, about which you sound eminently sensible.  And yes, I will let the medics monitor my state over time.  Have a happy pregnancy, a wonderful birth, and decades of happiness with your child/children!  Thanks.  

[lilymoon]

Hi,bipolar disorder Im afraid is chronic,it can be managed quite well with meds but yes youll need to accept this is a chronic condition.Its hard to accept isnt it?Give it time.

[cashew529]

For the most part you do have it forever and have to take meds forever. That was a big concern of mine when I was first diagnosed. However, my husband and I are trying to get pregnant so I have started going off of most of my meds (I was on 3 and this is day 1 being off the second one I am dropping). So far I am doing great! The only catch is that this is a very not stressful time with my job and stress helps trigger episodes for me. I hope that throughout the pregnancy and after I can keep to just taking 1 med instead of 3. Each person is different. Keep working with your doctor and be upfront and honest with them and you should be able to eventually find a good balance.