CONVERSATIONS WITH- Gabe Howard

[@MelissaGonzalez-cj4cd]

My husband lives with bipolar 1 . We have known each other since 7th grade. He was diagnosed when our son was born 6 years ago. I have made it a point to learn and understand his diagnosis as much as I can. He is a corporate guy, and off meds for two years. It’s been a struggle. He refuses to identify with bipolar and I try to point out all his accomplishments even living with bipolar. Thank you for your channel!

[@thisisbipolar]

Thank you so much for watching. That sounds really difficult. You sound like a wonderful support. Sending love and hope to you both.

[@debbiewestin8145]

Thank you Shaley, I think this is a really informative podcast that offers some good coping mechanisms and suggestions to try. I am 59 and diagnosed with BPII about 3 weeks ago...no joke. Despite the fact that my mother was diagnosed with BPI at 38 years old (in the late 70's), was on lithium until death at 43 by cerebral aneurysm, and she had a grandfather that committed suicide via shotgun, which was always documented in medical histories given to new practitioners. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in my early 30's, so I've been on antidepressants for 29 years, attempted suicide 5 times in my life starting at age 15 and most recently 3 weeks ago. Many of the bipolar guests you interview have conversations that describe my whole life, but I had a very difficult time convincing practitioners that it was BPII recently (strangely, BPII had never occurred to me before this recent depressive episode when I began my own research about depression) because I didn't have "lack of sleep lasting days" episodes, although I've always had difficulties falling and staying asleep. In addition, I could not articulate any episodes of hypomania because I did not understand it. I thought mania or hypomania always meant positive energy: getting things done, excessive talking, more focus, feelings of extreme well-being, and in BPI, sometimes delusions or psychosis, etc. I had no clue that uncontrolled irritability, racing thoughts, constant pessimism, extreme disagreeableness about everything, and mulling over the same text, email, or off-handed comment, and pressured speech are also very common symptoms in BPII hypomania: I know I've had some of these symptoms last longer than 4 days. Truthfully, it was very difficult to accept some of the things I said or did to people and didn't understand how I could be so "harsh" at times, when I am typically a very open-minded, generous, helpful person. At this age, I am not as concerned about the stigma of the disease as getting qualified provider care, especially in the backwards, Southern state (US) in which I currently live. And, to be able to educate my only daughter and any children she may have. I've been able to progress in my career but notice during the past 12 years that there is a pattern awesome performance when starting a new role and then depressive episodes become more frequent and severe around year 2 or 3 into a job and then I become disagreeable, it's often at this point I lose the job. Fortunately, in my line of work I am usually given a graceful exit and time to find other employment. Hopefully now that I am diagnosed properly and intent on taking the meds even if it is a trial and error process, and follow advice from the therapist, I can finish the remainder of my working career (hopefully 7.5 years!!) and retire without all the daily stress. Some of the videos' guests talk about life changes such as working part time, getting disability, reducing my footprint, asking for help, but it is very difficult to do these things on a middle-class, single income with this inflated economy and on the cusp of retirement. Keep making the videos as they are very helpful.

[@thisisbipolar]

Thanks for sharing part of your story with us. I'm so grateful you are here.

[@phurion.]

Hello how are you, is there a way to get in contact with you? Or is it possible to make a video about a symptom in bipolar that not everyone talks about which is emotional detatchment, me and my ex had the best relationship ever,planned marriage and how we will live together, she was there for me and i was there for her, until suddenly out of the ue she lost feelings for me, and pushed me away no matter how hard i tried to keep the relationship, and its hard to change her mind or try to talk to her

[@thisisbipolar]

That sounds so hard and heartbreaking. I'm sorry that happened. Loving someone with bipolar can be really hard. I know that the book "Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder" by Julie Fast can be really helpful for those that have a loved one with bipolar disorder. Julie Fast also has a Facebook support group for loved ones. You can email me at [e-mail] if you wanted to ask more questions.

[@phurion.]

@thisisbipolar yeah unfortunately I don't have Facebook nor any social media, but yes I would like to email you more about this topic if you don't mind, I appreciate it, and yes I've been reading the book but after the breakup amd attempts to get her back, and I'm not sure if it mentions anything about emotional detatchment

[@MaryJones-d7e]

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