Friend who is bipolar

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iloveGod143

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I recently became friends with a guy who has bipolar disorder. He would call me all the time, especially when he was down or depressed (due to his disorder), and he told me he liked talking to me because I was a good listener and that his parents were not caring or understanding about his situation. He was appreciative though, that I would listen and give advice. He asked me to pray for him a lot, and I did of course.

Recently, I tried calling him and his phone was turned off - for a whole week. I had a feeling he was probably hospitalized, because he had been telling me how much he as suffering and that he wanted to go to rehab. Anyway, after a week I got in touch with him… but he had been acting kind of different, in the sense that he wouldn’t call as much or talk. Seems like he got better and doesn’t care anymore, becaue I told he seemed different and he said that he thinks the meds are finally working … he said again, “pray for me.” He is always asking me to pray for him, and of course I did but to be honest I have my own issues, and he knows about things that have been bothering me but he doesn’t really care or pray for me… I feel bad asking him to pray for me when he has this disorder. Anyway, is it wrong for me to not pray for him anymore? or to tell him that I think he used me and that I want to keep my distance ?
 
It is very difficult for us to understand how a person with bipolar is feeling.

I have someone close to me in my family with bipolar and it is an ongoing challenge for me to understand that one day that person may feel very down and needy and disinterested in life…very depressed and yet another day very energetic and active and upbeat…manic even.

I am sure your friend does not mean to be selfish or uncaring and truly appreciates all your love support and prayers.I think your friend just is not able to recognise that he maybe behaving this way.

It is good that he thinks his meds are starting to work…on the other hand my experience of bipolar is that meds only help for a short tiem and soon he will need that amount fo support from you again.

I am sure if your friend realise your needs he would pray for you also.

If you wish to start a prayer thread on the prayers forum I am sure many of us prayer warriors would join you in prayer.

God bless
 
Yep, that’s why they call it “bipolar”; the highs are high and the lows are low. My understanding is like many other diseases, medication or medication dose adjustment may be needed to help those afflicted with the disorder.

Be patient with your friend. A change in his medication may take a while for him to get used to. Pray for him; be a Saint. This is a condition that he may struggle with his entire life.
 
Thank you for your responses! You are both right, I should be more understanding and patient. Thanks 🙂
 
My daughter is bipolar and we have had many difficult times. The last two posters are right it takes much patience and understanding and much love to get through the tough times. Many prayers, tears and love helps us get through these times. So be patient and keep him in you prayers and Iwill keep you and him in my prayers, too. St. Dymphna is the patroness of those with mental and nervous disorders.
❤️:hug1::byzsoc:
 
Another thing to remember is that medication does not cure bipolar disease. The meds help, but it’s still very difficult to deal with someone with this disease. I know several people suffering from the disease, and I find that reminding myself not to take their words and actions personally is very helpful.
 
chococat said:
My daughter is bipolar and we have had many difficult times. The last two posters are right it takes much patience and understanding and much love to get through the tough times. Many prayers, tears and love helps us get through these times. So be patient and keep him in you prayers and Iwill keep you and him in my prayers, too. St. Dymphna is the patroness of those with mental and nervous disorders.
❤️:hug1::byzsoc:
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I will pray for you and your daughter, as well as your family! I actually told him how I felt, and I apologized for overreacting. I felt bad about it, because he has such a great heart and I should be more empathetic to his issue. Thank you so much for your kind words, and God Bless you and your daughter.
 
Youre welcome iloveGod143. Thank you for your prayers, too. My dtr has had to change her meds recently because the Lithium she was on affected her kidneys and if she hadnt gotten off of it she would have had to have dialysis in the near future. She had a very rough time with the change of meds but thank God she finally got used to some new ones and is able to focus on her job and is in a good mood now. So I pray your friend will have success with his meds.This disorder is a lifetime challenge. With the grace of God and prayers he will get along.
❤️:grouphug::byzsoc:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_Dymphna.jpg
iloveGod143 said:
I recently became friends with a guy who has bipolar disorder. He would call me all the time, especially when he was down or depressed (due to his disorder), and he told me he liked talking to me because I was a good listener and that his parents were not caring or understanding about his situation. He was appreciative though, that I would listen and give advice. He asked me to pray for him a lot, and I did of course.

Recently, I tried calling him and his phone was turned off - for a whole week. I had a feeling he was probably hospitalized, because he had been telling me how much he as suffering and that he wanted to go to rehab. Anyway, after a week I got in touch with him… but he had been acting kind of different, in the sense that he wouldn’t call as much or talk. Seems like he got better and doesn’t care anymore, becaue I told he seemed different and he said that he thinks the meds are finally working … he said again, “pray for me.” He is always asking me to pray for him, and of course I did but to be honest I have my own issues, and he knows about things that have been bothering me but he doesn’t really care or pray for me… I feel bad asking him to pray for me when he has this disorder. Anyway, is it wrong for me to not pray for him anymore? or to tell him that I think he used me and that I want to keep my distance ?
Click to expand...
I have bipolar disorder. If your friend is on a new medication, chances are it takes two weeks for the therapeutic levels in the blood stream to be attained, and that is if your friend is taking the meds religiously. Not taking meds is symptomatic of the illness itself, so it is more complicated than just forgetting. Encourage your friend to buy a dosette from the drug store, it will help remind him. Or buy one for him, they are not expensive.

Bipolar disorder often takes seven different attempts at finding the right medication that is effective with the least amount of side effects. It takes time to assess.

It sounds like your friend is in a downswing. Anti-depressants are tricky because they can spike a mood into a hypo-manic relapse. There are new meds that deal with depression, and your friend will have to hound his busy doctor for treatment. What is dangerous about being down is the desire to be up, hence med non-compliance.

I tend to withdraw and be anti-social when I have a downswing. It can last for months, even years. Meds will lighten the cross, but not always remove it.

Catholic or not, your friend should join the St. Dymphna League. (pronounced demf-na) Information is found here You should too. Members get prayer cards, booklet, and a CD on the story of St. Dymphna. A good deal for $3.00

Let us both say a nine day novena to St. Dymphna for your friend.

Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders and Spiritual afflictions. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.
Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray).

We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire.
We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen.

Sincerely,
Peter
Member of the St. Dymphna League
 
chococat said:
Youre welcome iloveGod143. Thank you for your prayers, too. My dtr has had to change her meds recently because the Lithium she was on affected her kidneys and if she hadnt gotten off of it she would have had to have dialysis in the near future. She had a very rough time with the change of meds but thank God she finally got used to some new ones and is able to focus on her job and is in a good mood now. So I pray your friend will have success with his meds.This disorder is a lifetime challenge. With the grace of God and prayers he will get along.
❤️:grouphug::byzsoc:
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That’s so good to hear… I am glad she found meds that are working and everything is going good for her 🙂 You are right, with faith in God and prayers he will get through this, just as you and your daughter have 🙂 Sorry I don’t have any hug symbols, otherwise I would use that!! (hug)
 
kepha1 said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_Dymphna.jpg

I have bipolar disorder. If your friend is on a new medication, chances are it takes two weeks for the therapeutic levels in the blood stream to be attained, and that is if your friend is taking the meds religiously. Not taking meds is symptomatic of the illness itself, so it is more complicated than just forgetting. Encourage your friend to buy a dosette from the drug store, it will help remind him. Or buy one for him, they are not expensive.

Bipolar disorder often takes seven different attempts at finding the right medication that is effective with the least amount of side effects. It takes time to assess.

It sounds like your friend is in a downswing. Anti-depressants are tricky because they can spike a mood into a hypo-manic relapse. There are new meds that deal with depression, and your friend will have to hound his busy doctor for treatment. What is dangerous about being down is the desire to be up, hence med non-compliance.

I tend to withdraw and be anti-social when I have a downswing. It can last for months, even years. Meds will lighten the cross, but not always remove it.

Catholic or not, your friend should join the St. Dymphna League. (pronounced demf-na) Information is found here You should too. Members get prayer cards, booklet, and a CD on the story of St. Dymphna. A good deal for $3.00

Let us both say a nine day novena to St. Dymphna for your friend.

Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders and Spiritual afflictions. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.
Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray).

We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire.
We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen.

Sincerely,
Peter
Member of the St. Dymphna League
Click to expand...
My friend has informed of a lot of what you have said about how it can take several different meds to finally find the one that works. I am learning a lot about this disorder from him, and we are on good terms now. I will be there for him whenever he needs me, because he needs support. I hope that you will find a med that will help you and you won’t have to suffer with the symptoms. I will pray for you 🙂 And, thank you soo much for your advice and prayer. God Bless you!!!
 
I have been saying the St. Dymphna prayer daily for my dtr and well as for the many who need her prayers on these forums, so I will join you both and call it a contiuous novena to St/ Dymphna for your friend and all on my list, She has no choice but to heart our prayers…
Love peace and hugs to all of you here.
Chococat. AKA Maxine
❤️:grouphug::byzsoc:
 
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