Bypolar or Alcoholism

**Gemini05** · 06-04-2009, 04:07 PM

Hello to all,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with someone you know that has been an alcoholic for many years, showing no signs of being bypoloar and then the Dr.'s diagnosed them as bypolar.

However you know they are not bypolar. Is it too easy for Psychologists to diagnosis instead of getting to the bottom of the alcoholism?

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 06-04-2009, 06:01 PM

It's my understanding that there are several physical tests as well as questions asked in order to determine Bi-Polar.

There is also a strong genetic conponent, medical history is required. Also to oliminate other illnesses that can mimic the symptons of bi polar such as thyroid disorder.

Bi-polar people ( my ex had a girlfriend who had it), experience highs (big highs) and lows (big lows) extreme energy basically to deep despair, mood swings.

Such as, impulsiveness, recklessness, irritability, un-explained sadness, crying spells, loss of energy, feeling worthless, unexplained aches and pains, re-occuring dreams of deaths or suicides.

Bascially they can be on such a high one minute and such a low the other.

They can forget things that they have done.

They can be in-secure about their body and want to change it and be excited about that change, to then change their minds and feel total despair...

It's a difference of moods, up and down all the time basically.

Alcoholism basically only shows or shows mainly, depression.... Constantly feeling depressed and in need of something to help them feel happy.

CW

**happy ending** · 06-04-2009, 09:32 PM

a lot of alcoholics suffer from other disorders ie depression, panic and anxiety and bi-polar. they use the alcohol to help them cope. my ex husband is suffering from depression but abuses alcohol rather than admit he has a problem. i think its fairly widespread.

**ThexMrs** · 06-06-2009, 02:18 AM

Happy Ending is correct. Many alcoholics do suffer from other disorders. My mother suffers from depression and anxiety. She masks this with alcohol which in reality only makes it worse. My father was the same way. Both of them would rather drink than take the medicine they need to help with their problems. It's very sad... However, my ex boyfriend is an alcoholic but doesn't suffer from anything but boredom. (In my true opinion, I think that he is bored with his life and that is affecting him. I think it makes him sad or feel like he is going no where which, he's not. He drinks everyday and it makes me sad. It's starting to affect his looks. He sent me a picture today because he got his hair cut and wanted my opinion. I was distracted by how sickly he looks. He admits he has a drinking problem but he says, "It's just what I do." He has to want the change for himself but he doesn't.)

**Gemini05** · 06-07-2009, 05:11 PM

my mother has been an alcoholic for many years. She went to the Dr. for counseling. I don't think she is very upfront with them regarding all her problems. It appears it was easier to diagnose her having bipolar rather then deal with the alcoholism. So now she is on drugs for something I feel she doesn't have and acts weird on them. However still drinks. The drinking is not being dealt with, this has been pushed aside.

It has been very frustrating to see her in this condition.

**happy ending** · 06-07-2009, 09:08 PM

i find alcoholics very frustrating. my ex was an alky. even when his life was in the toilet as a direct result of his drinking he was too busy blaming everything else (mainly me) i still get angry, when he starts his carp, he thinks booze is his best friend but it is in fact his worst enemy. unfortunately you cant help your mother, any help you give her basically comes down to enabling. do you live with her, if so can you move out? how much contact do you have with her. good luck with everything.

**WildChild** · 06-07-2009, 11:31 PM

Have they warned her that drinking with BP meds could cause serious problems? Most meds don't mix well with booze. Maybe you should call her doc and have a chat?

**Isabellacat** · 06-08-2009, 01:07 AM

I've been in several relationships with people who struggled with alcoholism and bipolar illness. Both were good friends of mine and unfortunately both have passed away over the last few years. They were my girlfriends and I tried to live with them and cope but it was'nt easy. My bestfriend could'nt go a day without a bottle of vodka,it was terrible and very sad. My girlfriend would blackout and verbally & physically abuse me too and the next day she would'nt remember how she treated me either. i feel so angry how she treated me whenever she was in a blackout,but I feel it prolly was'nt really her but the bottle. All in all I've seen people go through this and it's not very easy. It sure has tested my patience.

I to this day do not know how to tell someone to stop abuse but for one I've been a friend to them and tried to cope. I cry so much about this and others who go through the same. God bless.

**Gemini05** · 06-08-2009, 10:02 AM

I do not live with my mother. I have my husband and children that I have to be concerned for and have learned to set my moms alcoholism aside. I have played the tough love for several years now and still does not make a difference. I am doing what is needed for the safety of my children.

She has mixed her BP and the alcohol and several trips to the ER due to it. But nothing has fased that. i have done what i can do, it is all in her hands now.

She knows that we are here for her however the relationship with my kids are growing apart as she does not make the effort. I cannot push my kids on her any longer, they are getting of age to make their minds for themselves.

It is very scary knowing what she does but she does not want to hear from anyone. Her Dr.'s are the ones who "know her" and are the "professionals". This is her feelings on it. So I am unable to voice my opinion. No type of counseling for the family whatsoever. If they did, she would be busted and the Dr. would know more about her.

All I can do is take care of my own.

Thanks for all your words.

**happy ending** · 06-08-2009, 10:57 PM

i am sorry your mum has caused you so much pain, but despite that you really love her. do you think she is a accident waiting to happen? it sounds like you have almost resigned yourself to this. i am glad you have a loving family, take care. I get sad listening to my daughter talk about her father, everyone talks a lot about illegal drugs - but i think its the legal ones that do the most damage!

06-04-2009, 04:07 PM	#1
Gemini05 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 44	Bypolar or Alcoholism Hello to all, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with someone you know that has been an alcoholic for many years, showing no signs of being bypoloar and then the Dr.'s diagnosed them as bypolar. However you know they are not bypolar. Is it too easy for Psychologists to diagnosis instead of getting to the bottom of the alcoholism?

06-04-2009, 06:01 PM	#2
CHANDLERS WISH WH Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 9,964 Blog Entries: 7	It's my understanding that there are several physical tests as well as questions asked in order to determine Bi-Polar. There is also a strong genetic conponent, medical history is required. Also to oliminate other illnesses that can mimic the symptons of bi polar such as thyroid disorder. Bi-polar people ( my ex had a girlfriend who had it), experience highs (big highs) and lows (big lows) extreme energy basically to deep despair, mood swings. Such as, impulsiveness, recklessness, irritability, un-explained sadness, crying spells, loss of energy, feeling worthless, unexplained aches and pains, re-occuring dreams of deaths or suicides. Bascially they can be on such a high one minute and such a low the other. They can forget things that they have done. They can be in-secure about their body and want to change it and be excited about that change, to then change their minds and feel total despair... It's a difference of moods, up and down all the time basically. Alcoholism basically only shows or shows mainly, depression.... Constantly feeling depressed and in need of something to help them feel happy. CW __________________ Do we not realise that in order to find a soul It doesn't happen over night if truth were to be told Like everything in life that's hard to achieve you must believe! Register! \| Rules/FAQ \| Contact Mod

06-06-2009, 02:18 AM	#4
ThexMrs Gold Contributor 500+ Posts Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oregon. Posts: 2,732 Blog Entries: 13	Happy Ending is correct. Many alcoholics do suffer from other disorders. My mother suffers from depression and anxiety. She masks this with alcohol which in reality only makes it worse. My father was the same way. Both of them would rather drink than take the medicine they need to help with their problems. It's very sad... However, my ex boyfriend is an alcoholic but doesn't suffer from anything but boredom. (In my true opinion, I think that he is bored with his life and that is affecting him. I think it makes him sad or feel like he is going no where which, he's not. He drinks everyday and it makes me sad. It's starting to affect his looks. He sent me a picture today because he got his hair cut and wanted my opinion. I was distracted by how sickly he looks. He admits he has a drinking problem but he says, "It's just what I do." He has to want the change for himself but he doesn't.) __________________ "I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart, I am never without it, anywhere I go, you go, my dear, And whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling."

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06-04-2009, 09:32 PM	#3
happy ending Gold Contributor 500+ Posts Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: western australia Posts: 655	a lot of alcoholics suffer from other disorders ie depression, panic and anxiety and bi-polar. they use the alcohol to help them cope. my ex husband is suffering from depression but abuses alcohol rather than admit he has a problem. i think its fairly widespread.

06-07-2009, 05:11 PM	#5
Gemini05 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 44	my mother has been an alcoholic for many years. She went to the Dr. for counseling. I don't think she is very upfront with them regarding all her problems. It appears it was easier to diagnose her having bipolar rather then deal with the alcoholism. So now she is on drugs for something I feel she doesn't have and acts weird on them. However still drinks. The drinking is not being dealt with, this has been pushed aside. It has been very frustrating to see her in this condition.

06-07-2009, 09:08 PM	#6
happy ending Gold Contributor 500+ Posts Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: western australia Posts: 655	i find alcoholics very frustrating. my ex was an alky. even when his life was in the toilet as a direct result of his drinking he was too busy blaming everything else (mainly me) i still get angry, when he starts his carp, he thinks booze is his best friend but it is in fact his worst enemy. unfortunately you cant help your mother, any help you give her basically comes down to enabling. do you live with her, if so can you move out? how much contact do you have with her. good luck with everything.

06-07-2009, 11:31 PM	#7
WildChild Gold Contributor 500+ Posts Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Western USA Posts: 6,233 Blog Entries: 5	Have they warned her that drinking with BP meds could cause serious problems? Most meds don't mix well with booze. Maybe you should call her doc and have a chat?

06-08-2009, 01:07 AM	#8
Isabellacat Gold Contributor 500+ Posts Space Invaders Champion! Join Date: May 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 782	I've been in several relationships with people who struggled with alcoholism and bipolar illness. Both were good friends of mine and unfortunately both have passed away over the last few years. They were my girlfriends and I tried to live with them and cope but it was'nt easy. My bestfriend could'nt go a day without a bottle of vodka,it was terrible and very sad. My girlfriend would blackout and verbally & physically abuse me too and the next day she would'nt remember how she treated me either. i feel so angry how she treated me whenever she was in a blackout,but I feel it prolly was'nt really her but the bottle. All in all I've seen people go through this and it's not very easy. It sure has tested my patience. I to this day do not know how to tell someone to stop abuse but for one I've been a friend to them and tried to cope. I cry so much about this and others who go through the same. God bless.

06-08-2009, 10:02 AM	#9
Gemini05 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 44	I do not live with my mother. I have my husband and children that I have to be concerned for and have learned to set my moms alcoholism aside. I have played the tough love for several years now and still does not make a difference. I am doing what is needed for the safety of my children. She has mixed her BP and the alcohol and several trips to the ER due to it. But nothing has fased that. i have done what i can do, it is all in her hands now. She knows that we are here for her however the relationship with my kids are growing apart as she does not make the effort. I cannot push my kids on her any longer, they are getting of age to make their minds for themselves. It is very scary knowing what she does but she does not want to hear from anyone. Her Dr.'s are the ones who "know her" and are the "professionals". This is her feelings on it. So I am unable to voice my opinion. No type of counseling for the family whatsoever. If they did, she would be busted and the Dr. would know more about her. All I can do is take care of my own. Thanks for all your words.

06-08-2009, 10:57 PM	#10
happy ending Gold Contributor 500+ Posts Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: western australia Posts: 655	i am sorry your mum has caused you so much pain, but despite that you really love her. do you think she is a accident waiting to happen? it sounds like you have almost resigned yourself to this. i am glad you have a loving family, take care. I get sad listening to my daughter talk about her father, everyone talks a lot about illegal drugs - but i think its the legal ones that do the most damage!