Another Mania

HI GJ,

I'm glad to hear you are bit better. Better times to come, soon we all hope. It certainly helps that the family is well. You don't need extra worries right now.

My partner has BP and he is having "an episode" right now. He has been well for about 9 months and it has been the best 9 months of our relationship.I guess I saw the signs a few weeks ago.  I guess what I want to know is:

What does you wife do and say when she sees you becoming unwell?

Is there anything she can do or say to prevent/offset an episode?

During an episode what is the best way she supports you?

How does she cope with the irritable, irrational and sometimes delusional behaviour?

I know he is unwell but I still find it really hard not to be hurt by what he says and does during these times. How does you wife strengthen herself to deal with that hurt?

When you are feeling better, I would like to hear some of her ideas.

Best wishes Rusty

Dear GJ,

I just needed to let you know how much I sympathize/empathize with your complaint of hearing those types of sounds in the background.  When my manic moods and accompanying insomnia are at their worst, I, too, hear whisperings and what sounds like infomercials in the background.  Once I heard a baseball game being broadcast.  At first it was frightening and creepy, then weird, and now it's just a trick my mind plays when it's tired.  I joke "It's time for the Lithium Lullaby and Seroquel Slumber", along with an "Ativan Appetizer" when I start to hear this nonsense begin. 

I am so sorry to hear that you're unable to work right now.  That has to be a huge stress for you.  I had to give up my career and I am still grieving and looking for my identity.  You must be feeling so much anger at the helplessness.

I suppose the best comfort on some days is remembering the cyclic nature of the beast.

You really are in my thoughts.

Angie

http://www.softconference.com/dbsa/sessionDetail.asp?SID=90743

Dear G.L.

The URL above ia a DBSA ( Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) audio podcast about Certified Peer Support Specialists. A lot of good information about peer support. Lisa Goodale is DBSA's Director of Peer Services. DBSA's phone number is 1-800-826-3632 and ask to be connected with Lisa Goodale.

A lot of your questions can be answered by the audio podcast. http://www.peersupport.org/ This URL is the DBSA's Peer to Peer Resource Center.

Certified Peer Specialist(s) are regulated by each individual state. Contact Lisa and she will give you information and contact persons pertaining to your state.

I live in Wisconsin and the CPSS is working it's way through bureaucratic bullsh*t. The word on the street is July of 2008 this should be resolved. I'm not clear if your interest is involvement with a support group or becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist. All in all (for myself) this CPSS is a ray of hope for me. A desire to support other BP's and great therapeutic value for myself. "What is the profit of gain when one loses their soul." Hope this information will help you.

Truly

Joe Buck