Posted by banga on March 28, 2005, at 11:19:56
HI
I apologize in advance for asking such a broad question, with I am sure hundreds of different answers. But I need your help to help a dear relative. Though I have gleaned info here and there about this on the board, I was thinking more about myself than what could help other issues (it is ME! ME ME, all about me! just kidding)But maybe someone here sees themselves or someone they know in this description?? If you dont have time to read details-- the bottom line is she has BPI, and anxiety disorder NOS (in my opinion)--GAD, OCD, and hypochondriasis elements in it. Just now out of a psychotic manic epoisode. What could be helpful?
Longer description....She is in mid 30s. In 1994, with no largely visible previous mental health issues (though always anxious), developed full-blown psychosis requiring long-term intensive treatment. She subsequently did well on medication, both on lithium early on then depakote. She established a new life, working hard not to overdo stress. She was dx Bipolar I. In the last years she has gotten off most meds, from what I know she was trying out EFAs and a little neurontin.
Over the past years, when I think about it, her already nervous nature intensified. She is incredibly smart, she began to rely on getting all information humanly possible to find around any problem she has in her life. Any problem --she would find twenty websites, three online support groups, and make lists and lists. When she had a minor operation, she researched it to no end; she feared the anesthesia, and read up on that and prepared with a complex program of meditation, music, ane employed a hypnotist? I think, to get her in a trance at the bedside....and she became phobic of flying and established a complex ritual around that. Etc. etc. She filled her schedule with so many stress-reducing activities: yoga, meditation, etc. that it became --stressful probably. Fueled by fear of loss of control.
She became pregnant unexpectedly. She of course researched it all, wrote up four pages of step-by-step instructions to her doctor about how she wants the birth to occur. She went off meds. She did all she could to make sure she has support and help. I think she planned in at least a little Zyprexa directly after the birth? to ward off postpartum reactions.
But now, her child is 6 months and she just had a full relapse with psychosis Friday.
Her husband told me that she has always hated the idea of meds, fears long-term effects. She hated side effects such as weight gain. She used depakote and lithium. I would invite her to this board once she is better but this will only return her to the obsession with information and research. But I want to be a voice from the side, to check on what the docs recommend, noone else in her family is positioned to do so effectively.SO---- with such severe mania (and mixed states in between), and OCD (and phobias), what helps you?? Which meds do you find with the least side effects?? They have her on Zyprexa, which is a good one to get her help quick, but long-term----weight gain.
Any beginning guidance would be SO appreciated. I will do more investigation in past posts myself, but I need a quick starting point.
Anyone??
poster:banga
thread:476726
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050326/msgs/476726.html