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Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:04 pm
by Lucy11
Hi,

I am not sure that a forum is the best place to talk about this as it's not my life i am talking about but i don't know where else to go. I am really worried about my brother who is older than me and sufferers with depression on and off. I am worried it's bipolar.

He has a really stressful job and a difficult relationship with his partner who has a daughter from a previous relationship. When everything is going ok he is fine, sometimes euphoric and it seems like nothing can get him down but then like a bolt out the blue he is at rock bottom again. He doesn't speak, can't sleep and seems to have no control over his emotions (for example he smashed up a bus stop for what seems like no reason).

While his life is so turbulent i can't see him improving but he loves his job and girlfriend and so continues to ride this wave of depression.

He has been on anti-depressants and sleeping pills on and off for the last 18 months and see's a counselor through work and through the NHS periodically.

He used to be happy and carefree all the time but now he is down more than up and i worry what will come next.

Can anyone help me?

Re: Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:41 am
by luvencio
I'm sorry to hear that you and your brother are going through that... I think it's great that you care so much about him to seek help. My best advice to you would be to seek help from a medical professional and maybe looking into bipolar treatment. It can be rough at first to deal with a mental illness, but there are places to go for help. Neglecting treatment might allow his behaviors to worsen. He should be happy to know what a loving sister he has.

Re: Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:20 pm
by Lucy11
Thanks for your lovely reply. I think he is grateful to know that people care so much about him and i think it has brought us closer because he knows i am here for him whereas he never needed it before so although i was there for him i dont think he ever knew.

He is in a good place at the moment but he stays in regular contact with his GP if he starts to feel bad but i agree with you he needs to see someone who is more specialised and can say whether it is bipolar or not.

Re: Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:12 am
by hundalmarck@gmail.com
I regret learning about the struggles you and your brother are experiencing. My greatest recommendation to you would be to research bipolar treatment options and get good medical guidance.

Re: Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:14 pm
by MissCandyGirl
The mental health services are the best people to deal with bipolar. There isn't a cure, but there are treatments available.

I know the post was in 2012 but I do wonder how they have been helping their brother. Also, anyone else reading this post: if you've got bipolar - or know someone with the condition - do seek help from the mental health services. It is so common these days: and people are happy to help anyone cope with it and other mental health conditions.

Re: Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 7:19 am
by hundalmarck@gmail.com
I regret finding out about the difficulties you and your brother are going through. The best advice I can give you is to look into bipolar treatment alternatives and get competent medical advice.

Re: Worried brother has bipolar

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:17 pm
by MissCandyGirl
Bipolar is quite common these days: and it isn't such a taboo anymore. It used to be labelled manic depression but its term changed when medical experts studied it more.

Definitely see your doctor if you're affected by bipolar - for anyone reading this, having their own symptoms or if they know someone else with symptoms.

Mental health is well treated these days, although we all realize the system isn't perfect. BUT it does have high success rates and there are very good therapies available.