She could not get her thoughts in order, is this bi-polar?

Question

My distant cousin in her early twenties, has just been admitted for mental health. She had a hysterical break down, and was not make any sense when she would try to explain what she was so upset about. Her thoughts seemed to be all over the place, and she was connecting unrelated things into one (for example, talk about how there is a lot of crime broadcasted on the news, but end with saying something that sounds like it was her fault for not doing enough to help). She seemed paranoid of  figures of authority monitoring her as well. She was functioning as she normally would, surfing the computer, going out for a bite at a coffee shop, except if you would talk to her, her thoughts would be completely disorganized and unfocused. Needless to say, it was really distressing to see her like this. 

I would say it came out of no where, but she had just finished a stressful college year and was beginning summer vacation. She has no job and went from high stress related to school (and poor sleeping and eating habits), to excessive free time at home (and over-sleeping, probably over-eating too). She would also smoke week, drink, and act promiscuously. At first, I figured she stood a good chance to recover to normality simply by changing her lifestyle, keeping busy, keeping stress low, not smoking, not engaging in as much casual sex, etc. We first thought it was low self esteem mixed with intense anxiety and stress, but now she is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and is on meds for it. 

I am wondering if it is hypothetically possible for someone who went through this to recover with no meds at all, by changing their lifestyle and getting friend and family support? Does this sound like something bi-polar would cause?

? · Accepted Answer

Yeah it sounds like bipolar (especially since she was diagnosed with it...) Most people with bipolar need meds. It isn't impossible for someone to recover without meds, just highly unlikely.

EDIT: Just to counter the naysayers out there... I do know someone with schizo-affective which is kind of a cross between schizophrenia and bipolar who was stable when I knew her and wasn't on meds. She believed meds were bad for her so she controlled the symptoms with her lifestyle and therapy. It is possible. Just much more difficult. If suicide is an issue, though, I wouldn't recommend it.

Micki 48 · Answer

People with bipolar often experience racing thoughts.  Racing thoughts is like having your mind constantly bombarded with words, thoughts, music, voices, memories, etc.  One thought might lead to another related thought, or it could lead to something totally random.  You have no control over it, and it can be very overwhelming and unpleasant, to say the least.  Racing thoughts are associated with mania, and doing drugs, drinking, and promiscuity, are also symptoms of mania.  

Bipolar is severe mood swings between mania and depression.  What you felt was intense anxiety stress, and low self-esteem could well have been depression.  A psychiatrist would have talked to your cousin, and it's likely your cousin told the doctor things she hasn't told you.  It's unlikely a psychiatrist would make a diagnosis of bipolar without evidence of a repeating pattern of mania and depression, and that information would have come from your cousin.  

So yes, what you're describing is something bipolar would cause.  Bipolar is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and mood stabilizing medication is the treatment.  There is no cure, and no amount of keeping busy, lifestyle changing, eating healthy, or family support will prevent the recurring mood swings from happening.  I can tell you from experience that without medication a person with bipolar will continue to ride that roller coaster of ups and downs, and the consequences to their life can be very severe.

Anonymous · Answer

yes it sounds like Bipolar and no it is not possible for someone to cure bipolar through lifestyle changes. Would you expect someone to cure diabetes with lifestyle changes? Cancer? A broken bone? Bipolar is a chemical imbalance in the brain that usually starts in the late teens or early 20's... so college age is when it usually starts. Support her need to stay on her meds.

Anonymous · Answer

It sounds more like schozophrenia to me.  She needs to stay on her meds.  Her problem is a imbalance in the chemicals in her brain.  There is no getting over it without medications, even then, she will have to take them for the rest of her life.

Anonymous · Answer

Sounds like paranoid schizophrenia to me, but they'll figure it out while she's admitted. Just try to be as non-judging toward her as you can be. Probably not without meds though.

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She could not get her thoughts in order, is this bi-polar?

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