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Bipolar Disorder/My Bipolar girlfriend off meds ending beautiful relationship

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Expert: - 11/19/2008


Question
My heart is torn out of my chest we had such a good relationship, so much love, truth, brutal honesty, communication, passion, unbelievable she tells me she has something to give me, her heart, be careful its fragile, ok baby, then 2 days later take me home, 2 days after that with 1 phone call which was flat and cold and then the end of the next day could you pack up all of my stuff and drop it off at my place, I may be home and may not.
I have been spinning in circles since, have had a couple of nice phone calls in between, she said she wants to be friends, from deeply in love to friends in 3 days WOW!! She took herself off of Seroquel 2 months ago figured she could handle it, NOPE!! She has an appointment to be re-evaluated this Thursday and she wants nothing to do with me. WHAT DO I DO??? Give her space and not call? We have been talking every day many times a day to not at all? This hurts worse than any other break up in my life! Help please. Heart torn out

Answer
Russell -

       It is my firm belief that whenever someone asks outright to be given some space, or behaves in a manner which would indicate that they want to be given their space (which appears to be the case here), the person should give them exactly that - space.  It sounds like there are probably a lot of issues going on in this person's life right now, given the extreme shifts in behavior and interest in involvement in your relationship with her.  If it's meant to be, then things will eventually work themselves out, and if not, then you'll have already put yourself in the position of being available for whomever the right person is to come along.

Bipolar Disorder

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Jennifer

Expertise

I am available to answer questions of a general nature about bipolar disorder, provide online resources that address bipolar disorder in a more in-depth manner and sources to serve as a starting point for those looking for substantial information on the illness from a healthcare professional approach. I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist, my background is based in personal experience and extensive reading in my own process of understanding my diagnosis. I can also take questions that deal with the social issues surrounding bipolar disorder such as relationships; coping for family, friends, and the patient; marriage, choosing to start a family and related. Answers to questions of a legal nature will provide general information but anyone with a serious legal problem should consult an attorney licensed to practice in their jurisdiction.

Experience

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type II in 2000; as a SSI beneficiary, have experience and knowledge of the limitations and processes involved with the program; I understand the moods, the feelings, the worries, the doubts, and a lot more that there's not enough room to express - from the personal experiences of being bipolar. I have first-hand experience with the challenges of returning to college following hospitalizations and various combinations of medications that were tried before my doctor and I finally arrived at the most effective medication program for my treatment. My family and I have learned so much about each other in the process of dealing with the highs and lows that followed my diagnosis. I've had relationships with someone who also is bipolar and someone that is not - romantic relationships are no easier on either side! I feel that many of the ideas and beliefs that people have regarding bipolar disorder and those who have the condition promote the continuation of social stigmas associated with mental illness in general, and after learning from others with bipolar disorder, hope to guide others who may be trying to navigate the government health care system,& share information on other possible means of obtaining assistance with the cost of medications and/or mental health services and limited financial assistance programs for meeting basic living expenses for qualified individuals, dealing with problems from or with family & loved ones, co-occurring substance abuse problems, medications and side-effects (and when it feels like nothing will work, or why it's not helping the situation to ask whether or not a patient has taken their 'meds' when they seem hostile or moody to those around them).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.A. in Liberal Arts and will earn my J.D. upon completion of the Spring 2011 term after which I will be preparing to take the multi-state bar exam.

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