Depression and bi-polar disorder...

I was diagnosed this year after suffering for 4 years with the fits of rage and major depression.  They have me on 3 pills that make the depression and rage better but not the wanting to just sit and disappear into my chair part.  My husband has been a trooper through the whole ordeal and is the one who made me go see somebody.  If you have no insurance there are usually places in each county that work on a pay based scale where they go by your income.  They offer reduced rate meds and doctor visits.  Call a doctor's office and tell them you need name of the county mental health office and go from there.  Most days I feel like I will never feel right again, but it's been so long since I have, I have forgotten what it's like to feel normal.

My son was diagnosed as  bipolar/depressive with severe anxiety and drug addiction this past summer. I have been through hell. My family has been through hell. He has mood swings, rages, does not care about anything at all, nobody at all. He has punched holes in the wall, spoke awful words to me, stolen hundreds of dollars from me and my husband, hundreds of dollars worth of technology from me and my girls. He is sixteen and has not gone to school in two years- he was extremely suicidal, and I feared I would find him dead every single day- first from suicide, then from going into the "bad neighborhood" to fight with anyone and everyone he could. I had him commited on suicide watch and it tore my heart to shreds. However, he is on 750 mg of Depakote, 20 mg of Celexa, 100 mg of Seroquel, and Mirtazapine. That keeps him pretty much bland. No emotion, no rage, no nothing. However, he has a drug addiction and will take any pills available in the house, any cough medicine, and most recently- otc benadryl. I had no idea that someone could overdose on benadryl but they can.

I just recently had to move him out of my house and into my best friends house in another county. It is heartbreaking and heart wrenching. I simply could no longer live like we were living any longer- locks on the bedroom doors, locked boxes in our rooms, a safe in our closet- locked boxes in my kids rooms and the constant fear that we would leave something out such as a cellphone and have it disappear.  I found an alternative high school for him out there in the other county and hopefully he will go to school. I hope and pray and never stop worrying about him, but it doesnt do any good. Its up to him.

I am telling you this to let you know if you had cancer you would seek treatment. There are free places you can get help. Please contact the county health department and ask them there. Then call every number they give you, and then every number the next person gives you- until you find a program that will help you and help you get your meds.
Also tell your boyfriend to research your disorder and be educated. Not every bad mood is a "fit of rage" and neither is every thing that goes wrong because of "bipolar".

I wish you the best of luck.

My dear friend is bi-polar and takes a multitude of meds for it.  Some work, some don't.  And she struggles with the side effects.  She also see a psychiatrist monthly.  While this has been very difficult for her, she keeps it up and says it the closest she will ever feel to "feeling normal".
Her husband has joined a group that specifically deals with living with someone that is bi-polar.  This helps him understand what is going on with her and helps him cope as well. 
This most definately is not an easy situation.  Good luck to you and your boyfriend.

have heard about "fish burps" from the pills, so I also worry about taking the pills

If you buy enteric coated fish oil caps you wont get the burps. Another thing you can do is freeze the pills. It breaks down further in your system and also helps avoid the burping. One other trick it to take 1 cinnamon pill at the same time. If you do burp all you taste is the cinnamon.

I understand that it's probably impossible for someone who doesn't have either to actually understand it

True, but as someone with "mentally interesting" family, some of us without it can learn a lot about what works and what doesn't.

There i a lot can you do diet wise that will help. Not a cure by any means, but it makes it easier for you to ride out the rough spots.

1. Vitamin D. I would bet dollars to donuts you are vitamin D deficient. The average woman uses 4000 IU of D per day (more if you are older or have a chronic illness). Standard vitamins have only 400 IU. The D in milk is such a tiny amount, you would have to drink over 40 glasses a day to get any benefit. Unless you are getting actual sun exposure (usually at LEAST 30 minutes, full body exposure) without sun screen, you need to get a supplement. I use Carlson's liquid D3 drops. If you have insurance, get your level tested. Whatever you do, do NOT take D2. It is not the same as D3.

2. Fish oil. It is great for your brain. Figure out a way to take it without grossing yourself out. It will help your moods, your heart, etc... The dosage to help fight depression is going to be HIGHER than the standard dosage. You will have to research to see dosage is recommended from someone with BP.

3. Cut the carbs! Carbs don't just make you fat, they effect your hormones and that effects your moods. Stop eating sugar, cut way back on flour, rice, potatoes, etc...

4. Go green....as in eat leafy green veggies. Not iceburg lettuce (it's just crunchy water), but kale, spinach, red leaf lettuce, etc...

5. Healthy, natural fats are your friends. Butter, coconut oil, non-hydrogenated lard are not the evil monsters they were reported to be. They are what the human body has evolved (or is designed...take your pick ) to thrive on. Saturated fats are protective, NOT destructive. Destructive oils and fats are hydrogenated oils AND vegetable oils like corn, soy, AND canola. Olive oil is one of the few non-animal fats that are good.

6. Let there be light! While this in part way ties in with the vitamin D issue, LIGHT THERAPY has worked for many people with depressive disorders. No need to buy expensive therapy lights though, you just need to get the lumen level up over 2000. You can do that with 2 100w equivalent CFL bulbs. Do a google search and you will find a lot of information.

7. Support! I would go to www.crazyboards.org and do some reading. LOTS of great folks there. Keep in mind, this place is focused for people with disorders, not for their families. It is blunt, direct, and IN YOUR FACE, but it is also factual, honest and very real. There are other support sites that are more "touchy-feely", but I like the no-nonsense approach.

8. Don't be afraid to get professional help! Even if you are poor and have no insurance many counties have lost cost or sliding scale programs.

Keep in mind that most men are "fixers", and they become frustrated when they find a problem they can't fix.  I suffer from anxiety and depression.  Medication has helped me,  but I don't have the swings of bi-polar disorder.

Wifezilla mentioned light therapy.  You mentioned that your depression is worse in the wintertime.  I also wonder whether you might benefit from this.

I wish you luck.  I know you don't enjoy feeling this way. 

Bettacreek, I do support a support group for him and for you.   Here's a listing of MH resources in Pennyslvania.

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/MentalHealthSubstanceAbuse/003676642.htm

You might also be eligible for Medicaid and some disability assistance as well, if you neeed it.

Take care and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I have been diagnosed with ADD and depression when I was in the third grade so I have been dealing with it for a while. Right now I sleep all day due to my boredom, which in turn makes me depressed. I am on meds and if I did not take them I will be very emotionally sensitive. The amount of different meds I have taken could fill a whole pharmacy. Can relate with depression, but not the boyfriend.