pattydukeblog Google Group

Re: Vivid Dreaming????

2006-03-31T18:20:45Z

Woke up one night and ran into the door of my armoire. I was still in
that 1/2 in 1/2 out dream state. My pdoc asked me if I had ever walked
in my sleep before, I said "Only in my dreams" (I know how cheesy) They
have calmed down since I posted. I'm pleased as punch that the rapid
cycling has subsided. North Polar Skip

RE: psychosis

2006-03-31T17:38:02Z

Well, in my experience, it took me a while to realize I was “hearing voices”
. They never sounded outside of myself, but I noticed something that had
never occurred to me before: The difference between my thoughts and “the
other thoughts” is this. When I’m thinking – even when I’m puzzling

Re: Sibling questioning diagnosis

2006-03-31T17:26:49Z

Thank you, LC--
It's the strangest thing--I read your comments about my book, and the unreality of the whole tragedy hits me again. Like you say, things can happen so fast if a person stops medication on their own--an avalanche-- and bam! life changes.

Judy Eron

Rose,
I suggest that your brother (and Mom) read some good book(s) on

psychosis

2006-03-31T17:24:17Z

could anyone describe me what was going on with him or her during a psychotic episode during manic or depressiv phase?
does anyone hear voices? and how do you distinqish it from your thoughts?
does anyone get thoughts and how do you distinquish it from your own thoughts?
I would be very thankfull if anyone would give me some info from personal experience.

Re: Vivid Dreaming????

2006-03-31T17:12:51Z

Same here, my cocktail is Lamictal and Depakote.
These dreams freak me out, I am unable to sleep a full night since they
changed them. That was about 3 weeks ago.

Re: Sibling questioning diagnosis

2006-03-31T14:56:53Z

Rose,
Personally, I wouldn't allow anyone to question what I know to be true,
family member or not. Your little brother needs to educate himself
better on the issue of bipolar disorder. I would not, if I were you,
engage in debates about whether or not you are bipolar. You know you
are; why debate it?

Re: Vivid Dreaming????

2006-03-31T14:52:50Z

Don't feel alone... I am on Lamictal, Paxil & Abilify and have had
vivid dreaming since I started this cocktail. Sometime I wake up
practically flying out of bed - a couple of nights ago I woke to having
kicked the wall next to the headboard and scaring the hell out of my
roommate too! Ok, so it was a little spooky but noow that I think of

Re: Sibling questioning diagnosis

2006-03-31T07:40:47Z

Rose,
I suggest that your brother (and Mom) read some good book(s) on
what happens to people who let themselves (or their spouse or family
member) go 'drug-and-psychiatrist-free' after they have been diagnosed
with depression and manic behaviour as severe as yours seems to me.
One very powerful book is by Judy Eron (she has entries in this blog),

Massachusetts talks

2006-03-31T01:05:57Z

Hi--
I wanted to let everyone know that I'll be giving a few talks in the Boston area. These NAMI talks are free. I hope you'll come. My topic is from my book, and I'll be talking about preparing for, and dealing with, the mania of bipolar. I sing part of my presentations, which lends something a little different.

Re: Sibling questioning diagnosis

2006-03-30T23:50:48Z

Rose,
So sorry you are going through this, thats so sad. Family should be there for you to support you and help lift you up when down. Mine was not there for me either, so I can sorta understand you pain. Hang in there and keep on doing what you feel is right, not letting anyone keep you down. warm hugs, Joyce

RE: Sibling questioning diagnosis

2006-03-30T23:12:16Z

If you are in agreement with the diagnosis, there is no real reason to
convince anyone else of it - if you feel better on your medication and it is
working for you, then it doesn't matter whether your brother, mother, or
anyone else agree with you or your doctors (where did they get their medical

RE: stigma from people you know ?(what the hell!!)

2006-03-30T22:58:09Z

Skip,
I know what your talking about. When my fiancée is cycling, he isolates himself from everyone and everything. He's at the moment just trying to get out of a depression after a weekend of being manic and drinking. He was so sick but what's it going to take for him to understand what this is doing to him, not to mention our relationship? He's finally going to go to a Dual Diagnosis meeting soon. Please tell me that this will help him better understand himself, because he has questioned that. He also told me that he thinks that maybe he's being overmedicated or that the antidepressants that he's taking is not working. He's taking Wellbutrin SR. He also takes Depakote and something else that I can't remember at this time. I'm not sure why he thinks that, can you tell me because I am at a lost and don't know what to say other than for him to talk to his pdoc. By the way, he missed that appointment because of his episode that he went through and of course the drinking did not help any. Right now I am at a lost and still not sure if he will be going to these meetings but I am looking for something to hang on to, mostly looking for hope!

Sibling questioning diagnosis

2006-03-30T15:19:05Z

Hi...I was going to tack this on to the "Family Denial" post, but my
situation isn't dealing with my family's embarassment over my
diagnosis. My brother (who is 7 years younger than me) and I have
gotten into several heated arguments in the last few days regarding my
diagnosis of bipolar. He has no problem accepting that I have

Vivid Dreaming????

2006-03-29T21:49:02Z

Recently mymy pdoc raised my dosage on meds: Lamictal up 50%, Riperidal
50%, Zoloft the same and clonazepan same. When ever they up my meds., I
have very clear vivid dreams. The kind where you wake up, still in the
REM cycle not completely there, and are just talking up a storm on
rising. Sometimes I wake up absolutely horrified or crying. This only

Compassion

2006-03-29T12:33:55Z

Sandra,
You sound very compassionate...I applaud that and could use more of it.
I am a recovering alcoholic for over 23 years and in Al-Anon for 25 years.
Al-Anon has really helped me with my co-dependency.
Not sure if you are interested or not, but if so, this is a great web site
for those of us living with or being friends with an alcoholic...