Posted by Janice on March 8, 2000, at 11:53:56
In reply to Re: Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder, posted by dove on March 7, 2000, at 12:40:26
Hi Dove,
When you wrote about your relatives one time, I thought to myself, 'hey, we've even got similar wacky relations'.
Here's my theory about my rapid cycling, for whatever it's worth. Many people with ADHD don't do well when their time isn't structured (the weekends), plus they are generally hypersensitive both emotionally and, maybe more importantly, physically.
So on the week-ends, I had basically been a slave to my impulses, which affected my sleeping, waking and eating. And being physically sensitive and already intensely emotionally from the ADHD, this cycle developed that continues to kindle itself and which continues to worsenover time.
My OCD started at 5 - trichotillomania. It is also a result of the ADHD, as it gives me something to concentrate when my mind is out of control and I do it WHENEVER MY BODY IS STILL(even if it's for 5 seconds).
Eating problems already existed at 7 (weighed 30 lbs), and got significantly worse at 12. Again, asa result of the ADHD, my inability to organize meals (food bores me), and then not having the impulse control to stop myself from binging.
Both of the above are helped with Dexedrine.
Dove, I think Scott is right. My last psychiatrist was trying to stabilize me on ADs with 600 mg lithium. 5 years, didn't work. For the last year, I haven't even been taking and ADs (just lithium) and I am much better for it, just half stable, moderately depressed and a bit of cycling...but nothing like it was like on the ADs.
I read this article you may find interesting for your daughter. About the differences between ADHD and bipolar in children and how to treat them. It's at bipolarchild.com/articles.html
If I remember correctly you also have PTSD. I have this one too, and I attribute it also to the ADHD. Because if you take a child of my temperment and expose them to any kind of trauma...most likely, they will get PSTD.
I'd like to say I'm sick of all this, but it's all I've ever known. I'm not sure if this has been your experience, but I find that as I age, the depression gets worse. I don't mind the insanity, but the depression...well that can drive anyone to get help!
I'd love to ask you some questions about your disorders. Janice
Isn't that nice, so I'll have to wait until they trust my own description of what is churning inside me.
that sounds frustrating Dove! I've just recently gone through a plethora of tests because of a doctor like this...so he could discover from someone else's mouth exactly everything I told him. I think he is an ass, but I am too lazy to get another doctor.
poster:Janice
thread:25437
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26364.html