Did you ever come to the realization that a family member...

[grasswire]

...is manic depressive?

I've just startled myself by the thought that a relative's behavior could be explained by manic depression. This person is almost forty years old and famous for alternating fits of depression-fatigue and "projects" that bring a mixed lot of irritability and euphoria.

Goodness. It could be manic depression. I know one thing right off the bat -- the person would be HIGHLY RESISTANT to any suggestion that something needs evaluation. The person is in a profession that includes counseling other people on serious personal matters and is trained in interpersonal communication techniques.

[raccoon]

1. Sounds like bipolar. Does s/he go on spending sprees,

sex sprees, etc.?

[grasswire]

2. nope, neither of those

(eom)

[MissMillie]

5. I thought that bi-polar was the new name for manic-depressive

but I also thought that the illness manifests itself in many different ways (not just limited to shopping sprees, etc).

[NewWaveChick1981]

3. That describes my mother-in-law.

She has never been treated for bipolar disorder although we are certain she has it. She does not recognize that she has this disorder and she will not consent to treatment. In fact, she's in complete denial about the whole thing. She's 78 now, and she's had it since before my husband was a little kid. My husband's father has talked to MIL's doctor many times about it, and the doctor has made suggestions for treatment to her, but she'll have none of it. :(

:hug: I'm sorry your relative is suffering from this too.

[graywarrior]

4. Sounds like I used to be.

Especially the BEING HIGHLY RESISTANT TO ANY SUGGESTION.

[LeftyMom]

6. My stepfather definitely

He was a big time self-medicator and quite a hypochondriac on physical issues but he never saw a psychiatrist or entertained the suggestion.

He shot himself after my mother left him, in front of his new girlfriend.