Hi,I am Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (Psychiatrist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
My 42 year old girlfriend was diagnosed with bi-polar when she was arrested due to sever manic caused behavior. The Police first on the scene believed that was her issue and she was taken to a mental health hospital for an involuntary 5 day observation. She was diagnosed with Bi polar and was required to take Olanzapine (Zyprexa). Short story is she believed it was helping going as far as saying to me “I did not know that I could be a prisoner and being abusive to myself”. When she was transferred to a jail for probation violation she was doing really well. In fact our relationship improved and she was doing so great. She decided to quit the medicine saying it made her feel the days were dragging on and she no longer wanted to take the meds to prove to her Parole officer that she was doing the right thing and also stating they weren’t helping when I knew and her friends knew they were. Since then she has withdrawn her feelings saying that jail did that to her and she does not know if she will get them back. She was just released four days ago and I have witnessed some mood swings from loving to angry and argumentative and in fact looking for a yelling and angry fight with me on a daily basis. One of her friends who has bi-polar told me tonight my girlfriend is having a manic attack so it is not just me who recognizes this. I am at a loss as to how to put a mirror up for her to see how we see her. She is complete denial and her behavior is wrecking our relationship. What can I do? She really doesn’t believe she has bi polar even with mental health problems in her aunt and her mother. She says she has ADHD which she does but more so when not on the meds and she says she has PTSD which was brought on by her living condition’s when she was young and came to a peak with an abusive fiancé. I also believe but all of those symptoms have gained momentum now when they were under control when she was on Olanzapine (Zyprexa). I have the meds here and she asked me to throw them away but I hid them just in case she changes her mind. Please help me as to where I can go and who to talk to. It has gotten so bad she thinks I am trying to control her if I talk to her about this or direct her. I am losing my love and I don’t know what I can do.
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy. If you require more of my help in this aspect, please use this URL. http://goo.gl/aYW2pR. Make sure that you include every minute details possible.
Hope this answers your query. Available for further clarifications.
Good luck.
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How Can Bipolar Disorder Be Treated?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy. If you require more of my help in this aspect, please use this URL. http://goo.gl/aYW2pR. Make sure that you include every minute details possible. Hope this answers your query. Available for further clarifications. Good luck.