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Phantom Illness
My sister has Bipolar Disorder, which was diagnosed in 2006. She has been well up until November 2010 when I noticed her being "different" again. I told my Mom about it (since she lives with my Mom) but for some reason, Mom never brought her to see her psychiatrist again.
They finally went to the doctor 04 January 2011 and she was told by her psychiatrist that she was "on the brink of an episode". She was given a medicine called Depakote, which I understand, is a mood-stabilizing drug. Her moods have been a bit more stable; however, she has been telling friends, our household helps and some relatives that she is dying.
She said her blood pressure is "very high" although it is not (120/80) and even went as far as bringing herself to the nearest hospital to have herself checked.
My questions are:
1) Do BPD patients really believe that they are ill/sick with something, even if they are apparently not?
2) Why does she always say she is dying?
3) Isn't her medicine (Depakote) supposed to make her better, other than stabilizing her mood?
My sister has gone as far as fighting with my other sister (who is a nurse and who checked her blood pressure and told her it was normal), borrowing money for her "further tests" and "treatment and medication" from co-workers (we work in the same office as I employed her after she got out of the psychiatric hospital in 2007) and talking to friends about taking care of her daughter when she dies (which she says is very soon).
We, the family, do not understand and would appreciate inputs and suggestions as to the information stated above.
Thank you.
They finally went to the doctor 04 January 2011 and she was told by her psychiatrist that she was "on the brink of an episode". She was given a medicine called Depakote, which I understand, is a mood-stabilizing drug. Her moods have been a bit more stable; however, she has been telling friends, our household helps and some relatives that she is dying.
She said her blood pressure is "very high" although it is not (120/80) and even went as far as bringing herself to the nearest hospital to have herself checked.
My questions are:
1) Do BPD patients really believe that they are ill/sick with something, even if they are apparently not?
2) Why does she always say she is dying?
3) Isn't her medicine (Depakote) supposed to make her better, other than stabilizing her mood?
My sister has gone as far as fighting with my other sister (who is a nurse and who checked her blood pressure and told her it was normal), borrowing money for her "further tests" and "treatment and medication" from co-workers (we work in the same office as I employed her after she got out of the psychiatric hospital in 2007) and talking to friends about taking care of her daughter when she dies (which she says is very soon).
We, the family, do not understand and would appreciate inputs and suggestions as to the information stated above.
Thank you.
In my opinion, BPD is the real phantom illness, and drugging this so-called 'disorder' which is not a 'disease' is a real crime!
To anyone on psychotropic drugs, I respectfully suggest gently weaning yourself off them and try improving your diet and lifestyle to help improve more generally. A healthy body and healthy mind go hand in hand. 80% of our immune system is in our digestive tract. Foods are medicinal and obvious things like avoiding junk-food, cooking at home, maintaining enzymes and gut flora with fruits, salads and yoghurt; supplement with omega rich oils et cetera, are all highly beneficial to anyone suffering mood-swings or depression.
Weaning oneself off psyche-meds takes up to six months by slowly reducing the dose to gradually 'wash-out'. Some do this in a month but no shorter period should safely be attempted. Similarly, in the case of SSRI drugs, if your doctor suggests trying and alternative you must gradually reduce the dose of the original medication and slowly 'fade-on' to the new drug over a time frame of no shorter than one month - though many do this as hastily as one week! That's for all psyche meds not just SSRI's. If it's Lithium however; hugely lowering the dose or stopping immediately is considered safe as Lithium is a naturally occurring metal salt, and psychtropic medicines are expensively produced synthesised chemicals.
When my best friend was on a cocktail of six drugs prescribed by his medical professional he said similar things to Susheta's sister - 'I am dying and you think it's funny', 'I will kill myself and you can have all my records' et cetera. Months of constipation ensued with its onset timed precisely to the addition of the world's second most-popular anti-depressant to his prescription. Then one intolerable day was ambulanced away, hoping for a manual bowel evacuation operation - he instead received three CAT scans to the head and gained the additional label 'schizophrenic'! Finally after further constipation and still on six meds, he became paranoid to the point where he thought the medical rep. who dropped off his meds daily at 5.00pm was 'after him' eventually calling the police, threatening to kill himself - they, of course, are obliged to act when someone threatens self-harm (unlike us sisters and friends who're helpless) and finally the fire brigade came around and removed him from his flat to a psyche ward, screaming. Not nice!
Another friend diagnosed with BPD last century when it was still referred to as manic depression, and who had been on Lithium for 20 years, recently had new psyche-meds added to his script for BPD and experienced classic side-effects 'drowsiness', 'unusual tiredness' and 'ataxia'. He fainted and fell from standing on a bench suffering a severe head injury. After brain surgery and months in hospital he now faces two years of aphasia and incomplete recovery, not to mention bankruptcy and divorce!
Doctors are obliged to verbally discuss the side-effects of any drug or vaccine with you before administering it, but they seldom do. If you're given Lithium for example, you doctor should say to you what you yourself might overlook in the fine print of the packet insert - 'do not take NSAIDS medication while taking Lithium'. And really, if an adverse reaction does happen, it's your word against his whether you doctor informed you about Lithium's interaction with NSAIDS - there's no camera or tape-recorder running to later check what might, or might NOT have been said.
Don't be persuaded my medical professionals on any drug - as moderators on MedHelp agree - "Many psych meds have serious side effects if they are suddenly stopped..." - that's where it translates into agitation, self-harm and as per the packet insert on many psyche-meds 'increased risk of suicide'.
Never ever hesitate to investigate for yourself and always consider drug-free alternatives before psychotropic meds.
Sincerely,
Superbuggg
To anyone on psychotropic drugs, I respectfully suggest gently weaning yourself off them and try improving your diet and lifestyle to help improve more generally. A healthy body and healthy mind go hand in hand. 80% of our immune system is in our digestive tract. Foods are medicinal and obvious things like avoiding junk-food, cooking at home, maintaining enzymes and gut flora with fruits, salads and yoghurt; supplement with omega rich oils et cetera, are all highly beneficial to anyone suffering mood-swings or depression.
Weaning oneself off psyche-meds takes up to six months by slowly reducing the dose to gradually 'wash-out'. Some do this in a month but no shorter period should safely be attempted. Similarly, in the case of SSRI drugs, if your doctor suggests trying and alternative you must gradually reduce the dose of the original medication and slowly 'fade-on' to the new drug over a time frame of no shorter than one month - though many do this as hastily as one week! That's for all psyche meds not just SSRI's. If it's Lithium however; hugely lowering the dose or stopping immediately is considered safe as Lithium is a naturally occurring metal salt, and psychtropic medicines are expensively produced synthesised chemicals.
When my best friend was on a cocktail of six drugs prescribed by his medical professional he said similar things to Susheta's sister - 'I am dying and you think it's funny', 'I will kill myself and you can have all my records' et cetera. Months of constipation ensued with its onset timed precisely to the addition of the world's second most-popular anti-depressant to his prescription. Then one intolerable day was ambulanced away, hoping for a manual bowel evacuation operation - he instead received three CAT scans to the head and gained the additional label 'schizophrenic'! Finally after further constipation and still on six meds, he became paranoid to the point where he thought the medical rep. who dropped off his meds daily at 5.00pm was 'after him' eventually calling the police, threatening to kill himself - they, of course, are obliged to act when someone threatens self-harm (unlike us sisters and friends who're helpless) and finally the fire brigade came around and removed him from his flat to a psyche ward, screaming. Not nice!
Another friend diagnosed with BPD last century when it was still referred to as manic depression, and who had been on Lithium for 20 years, recently had new psyche-meds added to his script for BPD and experienced classic side-effects 'drowsiness', 'unusual tiredness' and 'ataxia'. He fainted and fell from standing on a bench suffering a severe head injury. After brain surgery and months in hospital he now faces two years of aphasia and incomplete recovery, not to mention bankruptcy and divorce!
Doctors are obliged to verbally discuss the side-effects of any drug or vaccine with you before administering it, but they seldom do. If you're given Lithium for example, you doctor should say to you what you yourself might overlook in the fine print of the packet insert - 'do not take NSAIDS medication while taking Lithium'. And really, if an adverse reaction does happen, it's your word against his whether you doctor informed you about Lithium's interaction with NSAIDS - there's no camera or tape-recorder running to later check what might, or might NOT have been said.
Don't be persuaded my medical professionals on any drug - as moderators on MedHelp agree - "Many psych meds have serious side effects if they are suddenly stopped..." - that's where it translates into agitation, self-harm and as per the packet insert on many psyche-meds 'increased risk of suicide'.
Never ever hesitate to investigate for yourself and always consider drug-free alternatives before psychotropic meds.
Sincerely,
Superbuggg
I would be very careful with this and actually listen to what she is saying. Now, she may not be sick and havine high BP like she is saying, but a preoccupation with death and talking about dying all the time, and trying to give away important things (i.e. who will take care of my daughter?) and preparing "last minute" things such as finances, etc... those are signs of suicidal ideation. She may be saying "I'm dying of an illness" which could throw people off. But the illness could actually be suicidal ideation, but she doesn't want to bring it to anyone's attention. I'm not a doctor or a therapist, but the things you were saying, especially her asking friends to take care of her daughter, that worries me. Her "illness" may be a delusion, the whole thing may be a delusions, but I would say she needs love and care right now even if it's frustrating that she's telling everyone she is dying. Either delusions or suicidal ideation, either way she is not well right now and needs her family.
Having had suicidal ideation myself since I was only 12 years old, I know it is something that can be kept to yourself. The planning and the scheming can be kept secret. A lot of times when people threaten, their family ignores it, people brush it off as "looking for attention," so it can be hard sometimes to actually ask for help in a straightforward way if you need it.
Your mom should contact her psychiatrist if she won't since it seems your mom is a caretaker in that sense. She may need some changes to her medication, also talk therapy can be a big help if she isn't getting any right now. Unfortuantely meds don't always help one person the way it did someone else, so it takes time to find a good combination. Whatever is happening with her, it is a symptom of her bipolar and she is still working toward being more stable.
Having had suicidal ideation myself since I was only 12 years old, I know it is something that can be kept to yourself. The planning and the scheming can be kept secret. A lot of times when people threaten, their family ignores it, people brush it off as "looking for attention," so it can be hard sometimes to actually ask for help in a straightforward way if you need it.
Your mom should contact her psychiatrist if she won't since it seems your mom is a caretaker in that sense. She may need some changes to her medication, also talk therapy can be a big help if she isn't getting any right now. Unfortuantely meds don't always help one person the way it did someone else, so it takes time to find a good combination. Whatever is happening with her, it is a symptom of her bipolar and she is still working toward being more stable.
Q.1 A. I don't know, some probably do, I am bipolar and I do get paranoid a lot, thinking I "might" have a physical illness.
Q.2 A.She may have dellusions as a result of bipolar disorder, I have dellusions as well.
Q.3 A. I don't know for sure but I don't believe any pychiatric treatment i.e. medication is "supposed to make you better" but rather reduce symptoms. Some times they do eliminate symptons, some times the symptoms are reduced, sometime the medication does nothing for its intended purpose. The idea of a mood stabalizer is to stablize your mood, with "getting better" as a result of the mood stability. I wish the best for your sister.
Q.2 A.She may have dellusions as a result of bipolar disorder, I have dellusions as well.
Q.3 A. I don't know for sure but I don't believe any pychiatric treatment i.e. medication is "supposed to make you better" but rather reduce symptoms. Some times they do eliminate symptons, some times the symptoms are reduced, sometime the medication does nothing for its intended purpose. The idea of a mood stabalizer is to stablize your mood, with "getting better" as a result of the mood stability. I wish the best for your sister.
1. i notice my anxiety skyrockets when i am closing in on an episode of either manic or depressive nature and during those periods i will often have "premonitions" (as they tend to feel like) of my impending death. i can even imagine sometimes exactly how it will happen, down to the last detail. ....i have clearly been wrong every time. :)
2. people with bipolar disorder more often than not have an anxiety based disorder, too (panic disorder, GAD, OCD, etc.) so her obsession with her own death- especially if it comes and goes periodically- is totally normal.
3. she- or you, or anyone else close to her- needs to call her doctor and explain her behavior. let him/her decide if it is something that needs further investigation.
2. people with bipolar disorder more often than not have an anxiety based disorder, too (panic disorder, GAD, OCD, etc.) so her obsession with her own death- especially if it comes and goes periodically- is totally normal.
3. she- or you, or anyone else close to her- needs to call her doctor and explain her behavior. let him/her decide if it is something that needs further investigation.
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