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My husband was diagnosed with BP in 4-07 & already off his meds, will it come back?

Christine
07/18/08
Christine
Topics:Recovery & WellnessCaregivingSymptoms

My husband was diagnosed with BiPolar with Psychotic Features in April of 2007.  For weeks we tried to get him help and we couldn't because of the laws.  He finally hurt himself and ended up in the hospital for over 4 weeks.  He since then is doing great and the doctors have taken him off all his meds.  As I am very happy that he is doing so good, I am also nervous because of the nightmare that we experienced last year.  I have two little kids and I am nervous that it is not over with.  How realistic is my fear?  What are the chances that it will never happen again?  I feel like I am always looking for weird signs.  Any advise or help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

 

 

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Julia
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Yes it will come back.  There is no cure for BiPolar Disorder.  For a little while people may feel fine and then all of a sudden will have a downward spiral.  I would encourage him to read and educate himself more and stay on his medications--especially with the psychotic features..

John McManamy
John McManamy
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John McManamy is an award-winning mental health journalist and...

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Hi, Christine. I ask you to ignore the well-intentioned poster who said that bipolar has no cure and it will come back. We bipolars hear this so often we actually start to believe it, as do our doctors.

 

I'm not saying your husband's psychosis won't return - the truth is there is no way of knowing. But in the DSM-IV - the diagnostic bible - there is what is called single episode psychosis. And if this is the case, there is no reason your husband needs to be regarded as someone with a chronic illness that will return.

 

I have a good friend whose husband also had a fluke psychosis. It was just that, a fluke. It happened many many years ago and hasn't returned.

 

I urge you to be cautiously optimistic. Your husband deserves the benefit of the doubt. But please sit down with your husband and work out an emergency plan together in case the psychosis does return. I would suggest some kind of advance directive where your husband assigns you various legal powers and gives very people consent to treat him should a return psychosis incapacitate him. You will probably have to consult a lawyer specializing in mental health.

 

 

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