[kathykilgore]

some sort of chemical imbalance?

[Mari]

Hi,

What's a chemical imbalance?
It'd be nice if bipolar really were an imbalance of chemicals.


At any rate, tell your friend to go to the doctor.
That is what people do for each other.

M.

[bizi]

Hi Kathy,
welcome to neurotalk!
There is much information about mood disorders here and at psych central our mother forum. There is a sponsored resource link above "what is bipolar depression?" You are being a good friend in trying to get information....having a good support system in place really helps in any relationship, learning about mental health issues takes time and patience.
Decreasing stressors in your life also helps.
Eating well and trying to have good sleep hygiene helps most people.
There are alot of really nice people out there undiagnosed living normal lives. There are alot of people who suffer with anxiety, panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder, OCD, ADD, borderline personality, substance abuse users, sleep disorders, depression and people who never seek treatment and could benefit from medications and talk therapy.
Depending upon your relationship with this friend and how it is effecting you, you get to decide how to broach the subject.This is hard for an outsider to tell you what to do. HOw do you bring up a delicate topic in any relationship? gently!

[waves]

Hi Kathy,

welcome aboard... i was a bit tongue-tied... originally all i could think of was:

Originally Posted by bizi

HOw do you bring up a delicate topic in any relationship? gently!

If you wish, perhaps share with us more about the situation and talking to the person in question.

ON NORMALITY:
normality is often a statistical average... or can refer to what is "most common" but it is very vague... it is a concept. no individual is "normal." we each have quirks, some more some less, and some quirks are more evident while others are more hidden.

generally speaking, a person needs assistance if:

their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
-- could result in harm to themselves or others
OR
-- significantly impair their home, social, or professional functioning.

Certainly a doctor would be the one to make the call about possible chemical imbalances. But shipping someone off to the doctor can be a delicate enterprise indeed. if you suspect the person is bipolar, for instance, a manic person could get quite indignant at the suggestion, as they might well feel "fine" - even better than fine. in mixed manic states people start to really think things are not right, but even then they may react angrily or with intense fear at the idea of seeing a doctor.

Those who are depressed are most receptive... often the most difficult hurdle is a sense of hopelessness as they may feel even a doctor cannot help them. it is also good to remind a depressed person that their difficulties do not come from being "weak-willed" or from being bad, regardless whether they choose to see a professional, or take medication. Often depressed people blame themselves for everything, including their own depression and inability to shake it.

those with other illnesses, including but not limited to schizophrenia, may respond unpredictably, depending on their state and very much on how and by whom the subject is broached.

ON MEDICATION:
There is still a strong social stigma about taking psychiatric meds. if one has never taken them, there tends to be much resistance. i was very resistant at first. one thing that can be said is that it doesn't hurt to just talk to one's GP. Also, starting out with a counselor - while they cannot prescribe - might be a good step to shedding light on the type and severity of problems and if applicable getting a reference. Counselors are also more neutral and might be able to make more headway than a friend or relative in suggesting that a client also see a psychiatrist (who can diagnose and prescribe.)

About the sponsored link on bipolar depression - it is by the manufacturer of a very strong medication with non-negligible risks. Certainly many people benefit from it, but many others do not need that sort of medication. Meds of that type have been pushed on the market in recent years by their respective manufacturers. (There have even been lawsuits ... after people got hurt from these meds because the manufacturers had established but failed to disclose some associated risks.)

SOOOO, just be aware that any information presented by pharmaceutical companies will always be skewed to favor the use of their products.

---------------------

WELCOME ABOARD... and please feel free to ask more questions, share what you feel up to sharing. we will try to help as we can.



~ waves ~

[DiMarie]

Originally Posted by kathykilgore

some sort of chemical imbalance?

Hi Kathy
No easy way and expect, denial, if they are having some signs you are sensitive too, they are blind to that.

If a person is intoxicated and on top of the world would they believe that they could have a drinking problem; whether they do or don't.

I would literature around, if you can think of a friend or family member that had a struggle, drop how they had changed and how.

When you are drowning in water you reach out a hand:
When you are drowning in emotions, you are blinded by them.
I am glad when my emotions are strong there are hands around me reaching out, we just need to see them.
Thank goodness the gang here has not only hands out, they circle everyone
Di